Gatwick Airport has announced that owners of more than 1,000 homes in Sussex, Surrey and Kent are now eligible to claim noise insulation grants of up to £3,000,

The grants will go towards double glazing as well as loft insulation.

The boundary for the scheme’s been extended by about 10 miles to the east and west of the airport.

Noise level boundaries have also been lowered for those qualifying.

The extended noise insulation programme will begin on 1 April.

[Source: BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-26016757]

Surrey CC Approve 1.99% Council Tax Increase

Surrey County Council’s Cabinet yesterday approved a proposal to increase council tax by 1.99% even though a 2.5% rise was originally  deemed to be necessary.

A spokesman said that this will allow key services to be preserved as the council continues to face the challenges of rising demand and shrinking government funding.

The Cabinet’s recommendation will now go forward to a meeting of Surrey’s Full Council next Tuesday, 11 February, where a final decision will be taken.

Councillors will be asked to approve a new access road linking Tilgate Park to the A23 and more car parking spaces at a meeting in February.

The plans – part of a £1m investment in the park – also include the resurfacing of the main car park and the installation of a pay and display system, as well as improvements to coach parking, new disabled parking areas, and safer pedestrian access around the toilet areas and into the park.

The plans will be debated by members of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission on the 10th February before the Cabinet makes a decision on the 12th.

If approved, Road construction would take place between September this year and April 2015.

Local Firms to Receive Council Backing

A Surrey County Council pledge to back local businesses could net local firms up to £60 million.

Contracts will be awarded through the Build Surrey website over the next two years

Primary school construction contracts are worth £50m due to the biggest school expansion programme in Surrey’s history, and an additional £10m is available through other council building and repair deals

Benefit Fraudster Gets Community Punishment

A Three Bridges woman who falsely claimed over £23,000 in benefits pleaded guilty and Crawley Magistrates court and has been handed a community order

She’ll have to repay the money and was ordered to undertake 150 hours of community service

The leader of the council, Howard Bloom, said benefit fraud is something that the council takes very seriously