Surrey to Receive Additional School Funding

Surrey County Council will receive £72 million over three years from the government towards paying for 16,000 extra school places.

Cabinet Member for Schools and Learning Linda Kemeny is pleased as the demand for school places is huge because of the 20% rise in the birth rate.

Surrey hopes to find up to 3,000 places by the start of the next academic year after creating more than 2,800 for this September.

Cabinet Member for Schools and Learning Linda Kemeny said:

“We’re pleased that the government has listened to us. The fact that we’ve been given one of the biggest shares of funding in the country and significantly more than in previous years is recognition of the huge demand we are facing at our high-quality schools following a 20% rise in the birth rate, a surge in numbers that is continuing.”

A full press release can be found on the Department for Education website.

Surrey aims to find up to 3,000 places by the start of the next academic year after creating more than 2,800 for this September.

Surrey County Council has made a new online journey planner available.

It saves time, money and carbon emissions by giving the latest and best routes for driving, walking, cycling and public transport.

It even allows cyclists to plan how steep they want their route to be and help walkers work out how many calories they have burned.

Compatible with all desktop computers, smartphones and tablets, the online tool is part of the Travel SMART programme, which aims to help Surrey residents and businesses cut calories, carbon and cost.

John Furey, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “This fantastic journey planner encourages sustainable travel by offering information about the time, distance, cost and CO2 emissions that journeys will involve.”

The real-time planner is available at www.travelsmartsurrey.info

Treasured possessions stolen in Horsham burglaries

Two houses in Horsham were ransacked and had cash and jewellery stolen in a raid by thieves last week.

One of the robbery victims who was recently widowed had jewellery stolen that belonged to her late husband, including several watches and gold necklaces, and her own diamond engagement ring.

Sussex Police are appealing for information from anyone who was in the Beech Road area between 1pm and 7pm on Thursday 12th December.

There’s a reward of £500 being offered for information which leads to the successful prosecution of the offenders.

If you can help, contact Sussex Police on 101.

More on this story here:

http://www.sussex.police.uk/whats-happening/latest/news-stories/2013/12/18/treasured-possessions-stolen-in-horsham-burglaries

Maidenbower Benefit Fraudster Given Fine and Community Service

A woman from Maidenbower pleaded guilty at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 18th December to two counts of benefit fraud after hiding her living arrangements from the council.

She admitted failing to declare she was living with her partner (now her husband) and fraudulently claiming £8,800 in benefits.

The court heard that the couple set up home together in March 2012 and between them had a significant income which they chose to hide so they could continue to claim Housing and Council Tax benefit.

The woman was sentenced to 80 hours community work and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge. The council have also taken steps to recover the overpayment.