Volunteers from the Lower Mole Countryside team held a session at the end of February to clear scrub from the disused allotments site at the end of Stones Road, Epsom. Vegetation was cleared from one side of the fence around the pond, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because it is home to great crested newts which are a protected species.
Plans are underway to hold a number of events in Epsom & Ewell's newly created QEII spaces. The borough council has provided information packs to Friends of Parks groups and all residents are welcome to get involved.
PHAB brings young people with and without disabilities together on equal terms. PHAB is a national voluntary organisation established over 50 years ago which now has nearly 200 clubs plus other activities.
At last, the long-awaited Stones Road underpass has been re-opened. Surrey County Council's contractor still has some work to do on site, but local residents have already passed through it today, ahead of the "official" opening this Monday.
The Liberal Democrat Budget speech was once again delivered by Town ward councillor Alison Kelly.
A public consultaton on the future of a large area from Upper High Street to Church Street has just closed and the council will now prepare its formal development brief.
Liberal Democrats have welcomed the news that the Conservative Secretary of State for the Environment Food & Rural Affairs, Andrea Leadsom MP, has called upon councils to scrap their charges for disposing of household waste at Community Recycling Centres (CRCs). Conservative-run Surrey County Council brought in the unpopular charges in September 2016 despite massive opposition from Liberal Democrat county councillors and residents. Cllr Stephen Cooksey, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Environment & Highways, said today: "I have written to the Secretary of State asking her when the household waste charges in Surrey will be scrapped. She has been very clear in setting out her position but when will her Tory colleagues in Surrey get the message that these charges have to go?". NOTES
Surrey Liberal Democrats have unveiled a full slate of 81 candidates across every division in Surrey to take on the Conservative-administration at County Hall in May's elections - the only opposition party to do so. Cllr Hazel Watson, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council, said today: "I am delighted that we are fielding such a strong set of candidates for the County Council elections in May. We need a fresh start in Surrey and an end to the 'crisis management' at County Hall, which has resulted in the 15% council tax fiasco, £123m of cuts to services, 'gentleman's agreements', secret recordings and leaked text messages, all of which saw Surrey in the newspapers and TV bulletins for all the wrong reasons. Liberal Democrats led the successful campaign to stop the 15% council tax increase proposed by the Conservative administration at County Hall. We will continue to oppose any future attempts to impose such a large council tax increase on Surrey residents. "Liberal Democrat candidates acro
Liberal Democrat county councillors in Surrey are delighted that following a question in the House of Lords by Lib Dem Environment spokesperson Baroness Kate Parminter, it has again been confirmed that DIY waste should be disposed of for free.
Liberal Democrats have condemned proposals for Surrey County Council to dramatically increase its property investment portfolio of commercial buildings , whilst at the same time removing the opportunity for scrutiny before decisions are taken. Currently, proposals to purchase commercial properties are brought before the county council's Cabinet for decision, albeit in private, whereas under the new arrangements the Cabinet would receive information on purchases after the decision has been taken.
Liberal Democrat councillors have strongly criticised the Conservative-run County Council's plans to axe millions from essential services for Surrey residents, which were finally revealed today.
Commenting on the news that Cllr David Hodge has unilaterally given notice for Surrey County Council to leave the Local Government Association (LGA) in a year's time, Cllr Hazel Watson, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council, said today: "I am appalled by this decision. The Local Government Association is the key organisation within local government which enables the county council to lobby central government and make its case for resources and funding. The LGA has helped Surrey to save money, enabling the county council to recover millions of pounds back after the Icelandic banking crash. The county council needs a voice at the top table and this short sighted move takes that voice away. Only three councils in the country are not members of the LGA, so we are moving from the membership of a large and influential group to an isolated position on the fringes. "Cllr Hodge should have consulted widely within the county council before even considering such a rash and intemperate move. Yet again
