From: Silverlands Action Campaign [silverlandsgroup@hotmail.com]
Sent: 29 October 2001 23:16
Subject: Campaign Update - 29th October (2)

We know that you are keen to keep in touch with what has been happening over the last few days and with what is planned. The last few days have been particularly busy for us, and we apologise if you feel “left-out” or that communication should have been better. We are dealing with a situation where we have to react quickly and we have limited resources. This is not public consultation and we all know it.

On the positive side, there has been tremendous support from large numbers of people locally. Everyone has pulled together and we know we will not give up.

Every email has been read - and replies have been sent for the vast majority. We have a huge contact list, and now that schools have returned from half-term, parents and school staff are starting to react to the proposals with understandable force. The local business community is behind the campaign and as many of you will have seen, a visible poster and leaflet distribution network has been active!

We are very aware that there are many concerned local people who don’t have access to email so please tell your friends and neighbours what is going on.

Over the next few days, we will be concentrating on setting up a more formal organisation so that we can deal more effectively over what could be a long period.

We will form teams to cover communications within the group, press/media enquiries, website and email, fundraising, legal issues, campaign events, planning, etc.

Some of you have already asked how you can help, and we will be contacting you to confirm how best this can be done. If you don’t hear from us, email us again as it’s quite possible something has been overlooked in the rush.

22nd – 26th October - Protests at entrance to Silverlands. Police aware of the protest on site and relations are good. A police liaison officer has been assigned to the campaign to help ensure public safety.

Thursday 25th October – Runnymede Council passes motion as follows:

'This Council expresses its deep concern at the way the Home Office hasprogressed the proposed move of the Wolvercote Clinic for sex offenders from Epsom to Silverlands, Chertsey without local consultation and makes representation to the Home Secretary to withdraw the proposal having regard to the location in close proximity of various schools and children's units and the problems of staff recruitment and retention in this area.'

This resolution was taken at a meeting of the full Council, although all members of the Planning Committee who were present on the night withdrew from the chamber for this item so that they could not be deemed to have supported the motion prior to the planning application coming before them. The motion was carried by a unanimous vote of 19.

The result of the motion will have been that a letter will have gone to the Home Office, expressing the view that is outlined above, and I understand that the Council will also be indicating that it reserves the right to apply for a judicial review should the Home Office continue to press for the Silverlands location.

Friday 26th October – Candlelit vigil attended by ~ 250 people. BBC TV (London) covered story throughout local news on Friday evening. Also covered by John Gaunt (BBC London radio) & Sky TV news. It was on the news in Devon!!

Local reporters have interviewed a number of people during the week, and there should be ongoing and in-depth coverage in the local press. No real coverage in National press as yet although we believe that most of the press are now aware of the campaign.

Monday 29th October – Late afternoon – Home Office confirms that Beverley Hughes will meet with senior councillors & officers from Runnymede BC, Surrey CC, Surrey Police, Philip Hammond MP and 4 local representatives.

Tuesday 30th October – Silverlands Action Campaign – formal planning meeting to agree how to structure the campaign group so we can work more effectively over the coming period. We would like the proposal to be stopped quickly, but cannot count on this.

Wednesday 31st October – Meeting with Home Office – 1pm-2.15pm at Runnymede BC Civic Offices at Addlestone. All welcome to come and support us outside the offices or at the site. We don’t know for sure that the Home Office “delegation” will visit the site, but it would be good to show that there is wide support locally and that it is peaceful. A mistake has been made, and we hope that the Government will see this is the case. Note: If a site visit is made, it may be prior to or after the meeting, so if you want to protest at Silverlands, make sure you are there by around 11.30am if possible.

Friday 2nd November – Candlelit vigil at Silverlands at 5pm. Same as last week, but with more people this time around!!!

PLEASE BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL IF PROTESTING AT SILVERLANDS. HOLLOWAY HILL IS A BUSY AND DANGEROUS ROAD.