Surrey County Council own a broad range of land and property assets both in and outside of Surrey, with a total value of around £1.5 billion. At the last Council Cabinet meeting, it was revealed that the County Council will be ‘pausing’ investment out of Surrey for the time being whilst they evaluate the use […]

The Lib Dems and I have condemned the Conservative Government for slashing Surrey County Council budget for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) by £4,403.72 per pupil in real terms since 2015, resulting in a loss of specialist provision. The National Education Union, which published these statistics on 15th April, has warned that local authorities […]

Surrey County Council is planning to take seven fire engines off duty at night including one in Woking in a bid to save £3 million a year. The Council has published a ‘Making Surrey Safer Plan 2020-2023’, which outlines how the County Council wants to change the local fire and rescue service. Under the plan, […]

The Lib Dems have today called on Conservative Ministers to invest in local services to tackle childhood obesity following fresh official figures reveal 16% of children aged 10 to 11 across Woking are obese. According to the figures published by Public Health England, 20% children aged 10 – 11 across England are obese. The publication […]

Yesterday, the Lib Dems and I saw success when our motion aimed at cutting the costs spent on interim staff at Surrey County Council was adopted. The motion was produced in reaction to recent news that the Council was recruiting for another interim manager on a £90,000 annual salary. The motion approved by Council read: […]

It was great to start Sunday’s Surrey Half Marathon, along with the smaller children’s and 5k races.  The Mayoress and I enjoyed cheering on all the runners, who coped really well with the wind. I want to say a huge well done everyone involved in the Surrey Half – hope they all had fun.  It […]

The Lib Dems and I have warned of a ‘postcode lottery’ as official figures reveal that only 30% of people in Surrey have been offered a health check over the last 5 years, significantly below the national average of 85.21% – the lowest in the country. Lib Dem Health Spokesperson Judith Jolly blamed “swingeing Conservative […]

Surrey County Council is advertising yet again for temporary staff with salaries in excess of £90,000.  The latest job is for a Programme Manager to oversee the move from County Hall. My Lib Dem colleagues and I think the use of temporary staff runs the risk that if they fail to deliver long term solutions […]

Today marks 700 days since the Government agreed to bring forward plans to adequately fund and improve the social care system – since then, this has been pushed back time and time again. According to Age UK, more than 50,000 older people have died waiting in vain for care since the Government first said it […]

Earlier today, Surrey County Council approved its budget for the coming financial year.  The Lib Dems and other opposition Councillors did not support the budget as it will result in residents paying more for less. ‪Local Council Taxpayers will face an inflation busting Council Tax rise – a Band D Council Tax bill in Woking […]