Following the shock intervention by Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Health, changing the venue for the new critical care hospital to St Helier, instead of the Sutton hospital site next to the Royal Marsden, the joint health scrutiny committee formed by Surrey, Sutton and Merton to monitor the implementation of The Epsom - St Helier NHS trust's plans for "better health-care closer to home" called a meeting for Monday 13th February to hear from the various parties concerned. The Secretary of State was invited to attend and clarify how the siting of the critical care hospital at St Helier will best address the health needs of all residents in the relevant areas. However she has refused to attend or send any representative.
The developers have today unveiled their latest proposals for redeveloping 40-58 Upper High Street as a new supermarket. A meeting was held in Epsom today by the Business Partnership Forum, for the team from Helical Bar to update the business community about their latest plans.
Vodafone have applied for planning permission for a telecoms mast resembling a flagpole, on top of the tower at St Martin's Church, Epsom. This is believed to be an alternative to the controversial plan for a telecoms mast in Bridle Road, but it is attracting opposition from parents of children who attend the play group in nearby St Martin's Hall. This application is expected to be decided at a meeting of the Planning Committee at 7.30 pm on Thursday 9th February.
A proposal for a map showing exclusion zones in parks had been expected to come to a meeting of the Strategy and Resources Committee of the Council on 31st January, but it is now understood to have been deferred to the following meeting on 4th April. The reason given is that although the map has now been drawn, visits are needed to check out the proposals on site. The main business on 31st January will be preparing for the annual budget, so hopefully there will be more time to consider the issue of telecoms masts in parks on 4th April.
Sharon Bowles MEP was the guest speaker at Epsom & Ewell Lib Dems AGM, held recently at the Phoenix Club in Epsom. Sharon succeeded Chris Huhne MP when he stood down as an MEP on being elected to the Westminster parliament. She arrived directly from Strasbourg, where the European Parliament's rotating sessions had been held that week, and regaled members with her accounts of the reality of life in the European goldfish bowl.
At our annual general meeting, Epsom & Ewell Liberal Democrats unanimously elected Tim Murphy as our new constituency Chair. He replaces Steve Dixon who has worked hard for the party over the last five years.
Despite strong opposition from the Liberal Democrat group, the Conservative majority on Surrey County Council has forced through a sell off of Surrey school support services to warship makers Vosper Thornycroft.
The Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council have successfully forced the Conservative administration to reconsider their decision to cut bus services from September, even though they refused to debate a Lib Dem motion before the summer holidays.
The Conservative Executive of Surrey County Council have decided to withdraw large numbers of evening and weekend bus services right across Surrey with effect from September 2003. This was agreed at their meeting on the 10th of June.
Surrey County Council has increased its share of council tax for 2003-2004 by 17.9%. Cllr. Janet Maines, Lib Dem group leader said: "This Tory-run County Council has got to move away from crisis management, with its ever spiralling costs, by investing in preventative measures that are good value for money and that better meet the needs of Surrey residents".
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