CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE
JANUARY 2010
Welcome to the Society's programme for 2010! As usual our main focus is on proposals for developments within the Borough but in addition we will be enlightened on the process which is responsible for the shape of these proposals. Not only are we going to learn of the shift of policy within the Planning Dept. of our Royal Borough and the strategic planning of the Environment Agency for flood control in the area but also what it is like to be an architect working up plans for clients which may have a hope of gaining planning approval.
Members may be surprised to know that the cycle for Heritage Open Days 2010 has already begun. In the week when I finally got feed-back on last years event, English Heritage (who I am glad to say is now the national organiser after the Civic Trust went into administration half-way through the 2009 cycle) wrote to me with dates for a briefing meeting for this coming year! Our application form for a Small Grant to cover the cost of printing the programme leaflet is already prepared for submission before the end of January. Obviously the grant is welcome and vital if we are to continue to organize the event locally but it does not attempt to cover the expenditure in time, energy and thought which goes into creating the programme in the first place.
There are two main channels through which I learn what is going on outside the Borough. The Civic Trust initiative which is endeavouring to set up a national voice for civic societies to replace the Civic Trust and the London Forum which fulfills a similar role for Greater London. Both have picked up vibes from national government which has discovered a new enthusiasm for community and sense of place. This I suspect is responsible for some of the papers coming out of the Planning Department. If the new Government does shed some of its powers in the cause of localism, it will be welcomed. That would also provide an opportunity not to be missed. The only trouble is that it takes time and energy to make use of these opportunities and these are what is in such short supply within our local community. Meanwhile speaking on behalf of a Society whose raison d'etre is the promotion and preservation of a sense of community and place, I can only say that we will do our best to seize any chance we see to make Kingston more securely a pleasant and individual place in which to live.
JENNIFER BUTTERWORTH
Chairman