According to Epsom & Ewell Borough Council's latest issue of their 'Insight' magazine, "residents' association councillors work together in the council but are not a political party". This is not true.
The Audit Commission's findings in Epsom & Ewell Borough Council for the year 2005/6 have now been published. The Commission was clearly unhappy with performance on recycling and street cleansing. Jonathan Lees, Leader of the Opposition and Councillor for Stamford Ward issued the following statement :
The Lib Dems have re-gained College ward and taken Court ward. A total of 11 of our candidates have been elected as councillors. There are only 2 Tories in the new council and Labour have been wiped out. This is our best result so far and the worst yet for the RA party.
The Lib Dems gathered 680 signatures in Epsom High Street on March 17th to help back the Bill in Parliament (see earlier story).
When Christine Key, who works with the Lib Dems in College Ward, noticed a broken seat in Downside, she asked Cllr Julie Morris to report it.
Epsom & Ewell, Sutton and Surrey Lib Dems all played key roles in the recent defence of Nonsuch Park, threatened by Surrey County Council (SCC) Tories' plans to "dispose" of Nonsuch Mansion, amidst local concerns that Tory plans would spoil this quiet haven of peace.
John Phillips, who was elected as the Conservative County Councillor for Frimley Green & Mytchett in 2001, has sensationally resigned from the Conservative Party. More remarkably, he has urged local voters to support Duncan Clark, the Lib Dem candidate to succeed him at the County Election to be held on 5th May.
The Liberal Democrats in Surrey have launched their manifesto for the County Council elections on May 5th. The manifesto includes the Liberal Democrat "Programme of Action" for Surrey from 2005 to 2009 and highlights their "Top Ten" priorities for action to improve services for Surrey residents.
The Lib Dem "Top Ten" Priorities for Surrey are:
Liberal Democrats welcome the single figure increase in Council Tax and the Tories allocating £1m to key worker housing and £100,000 to improve the energy efficiency of the Council's buildings in response to Liberal Democrat initiatives. However, we oppose the way this figure has been achieved because this Conservative budget is not only a missed opportunity to improve services for Surrey's residents by cutting wasted spending by the Council, but it carries hidden risks that could lead to cuts to Council services later in the year.
At the budget meeting of Surrey County Council the Liberal Democrats proposed cuts in spending on consultants, communications and "policy initiatives" in order to fund improved services for Surrey residents.
During the last four years the Liberal Democrat councillors on Surrey County Council have worked hard to achieve the best for the people of Surrey. Of their many initiatives and achievements, the main ones are listed below:
