The best place to live in the UK

It's official, Epsom & Ewell is the best place to live in the UK - according to a TV programme on Channel 4. Congratulations to the Officers of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, especially Susan Bush the Press Officer, on the successful case they put to Channel 4 - an excellent match to the programme's 5 criteria of Crime, Education, Employment, Environment and Lifestyle.

All who live here can be thrilled at this accolade. We are particularly fortunate in the extent of our green open spaces from Nonsuch Park to the Downs and the Common. However, the RA Borough Council must be careful about claiming too much of the credit. Crime and Education are County Council responsibilities - and Employment is Whitehall's. Even Epsom's new restaurants came about as exceptions rather than as part of the Council's plan.

On the other hand this Borough has major traffic problems and nearly all of the streets in and around Epsom town centre are a free commuter car park because of the Council's failure to act promptly. The RA led Council has had to be dragged into the 21st century on issues such as recycling and still lags far behind neighbouring boroughs and most of Surrey. Facilities for young people also tend to be a very low priority. Fortunately these were not issues considered by the TV programme, nor was the loss of a proper Police Station nor the traffic chaos in the lovely village of Ewell nor the difficulty young people find in obtaining affordable housing.

Such things aside, it's a great place to live for those fortunate enough to do so. Our Lib Dem Councillors are happy to live here and proud to represent and serve local residents.