Partnership Achievements 2002 - 2008

Formed in 2002, the Partnership has already achieved a great deal in the borough. These are just some of our achievements to date:

• Providing affordable housing for essential workers, the homeless and people living in difficult housing conditions: we provided over 750 affordable homes between 2001 and 2006, and we have set a new target of 500 additional units by 2011.
• Maintaining and reducing the low crime rate in Runnymede: working with Surrey Police we have reduced crime in the three years since 2004/05 by 21 percent (over 700 less crimes) and almost double the Home Office target. Runnymede is the best performing borough in Surrey on crime reduction, and one of the best in the country.
• Reducing fear of crime: in 1996 over 40 percent of people questioned said fear of crime had an impact on their lives. In 2007, this was reduced to 25 percent.
• Encouraging the sustainable use of resources: we provide kerbside collections of recyclables to 98 percent of Runnymede properties, and 26 percent of household waste is now recycled.
• Reducing traffic congestion in Runnymede: our American-style Yellow Bus scheme has been a success, with seven buses for four schools carrying 500 students a day (operated continuously since 2002). This and other initiatives are estimated to have achieved a reduction in car journeys of 250,000 per year.
• Promoting the use of bicycles: shelters for 1000 cycles have been provided at local schools and colleges and new cycle routes have been introduced, leading to increased cycle use.
• Improving the local transport infrastructure: we have achieved significant improvement to the quality of the local rail service following work with South West Trains.
• Improving parenting skills: training was provided in 2005 for 15 professionals and volunteers to deliver parenting courses. As a result, by April 2006 10 new parenting courses were being run in Runnymede, including a groundbreaking pilot course on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
• Supporting the needs of vulnerable older people: our work to prevent the isolation and loneliness of frail or vulnerable older people led to the creation of a 'befriending' scheme by Age Concern Runnymede in May 2006 - to date 58 older people have been 'befriended'.
• Preventing substance misuse: a substance misuse outreach scheme for 10-19 year olds was piloted in October 2007, with over 150 young people receiving information and advice. In 2008, pioneering work was carried out to provide support for families dealing with substance misuse issues.
• Giving young people an effective voice in the community: the Runnymede Youth Council meets every month, and has distributed £85,000 through the Youth Opportunity Fund. Representatives from the Youth Council sit on both the Partnership for Runnymede and the Surrey Youth Parliament.
• Improving community sports and leisure facilities: we have invested over £2m into improved community facilities in Addlestone and Egham; in 2006, Addlestone Leisure Centre opened with a 60 station gym, dance studio and bar area, while the fitness suite at Egham Leisure Centre was refurbished and six new all-weather football pitches were built.
• Enhancing parks, open spaces and the natural environment: we have invested over £400,000 into play area improvements and new builds including Chertsey Meads, Brookside and Bishops Way. Victory Park and Ottershaw Memorial Field have achieved coveted Green Flag status, and work on the new Hythe Park at Pooley Green is now complete.
• Increasing school standards: work with the Runnymede Community Learning Partnership has led to improved performance in Runnymede schools (5 GCSE A-Cs, including English and Maths), and is above the Surrey average. Furthermore, initiatives on school exclusions have led to a steep fall in the number of exclusions in the borough.
• Encourage lifelong learning: there has been a significant increase in the uptake of "Skills for Life" courses, far in excess of our target. Curriculum Vitae writing workshops have been provided in community venues across the borough, and the Literary Institute in Egham has been used extensively to provide day-time learning opportunities.