Last week, the Lib Dem administration on Woking Borough Council agreed a number of governance reforms following a review of its companies. Local authorities have the power to set up companies or bodies, which they own, for commercial activities related to their ordinary functions. Woking Council has 15 wholly owned companies and eight joint ventures […]

The Lib Dems and I have condemned the complacency of outgoing Conservatives and pledged to work constructively with Central Government for answers, following the unearthing of a letter dated last week and addressed to the outgoing Leader of Woking Borough Council. The newly-emerged letter, signed by a senior Minister, outlines Government concerns about “instances of […]

Yesterday, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet agreed to close eight residential care homes. My Lib Dem colleagues and I have criticised the move which leaves the future of around 150 vulnerable residents in the balance with the risk they may end up being placed in accommodation further away from their family and paying more for the […]

Almost 17,000 pensioners in Woking left out in the cold as broken triple lock promise creates cost of living black hole. The Lib Dems and I have accused the Conservatives of leaving pensioners in Woking with a hole in their pocket after breaking a manifesto promise to protect the state pension. In the wake of […]

Boris Johnson’s promise to provide 85% of homes and businesses in Woking with high-speed broadband by 2025 is set to be broken. Analysis of House of Commons Library data by the Lib Dems has found that just 3.9% of premises in Woking Constituency had gigabit broadband availability in 2021. At the current rate of progress, […]

Last week, my Lib Dem colleagues and I on the Surrey Police and Crime Panel criticised the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for raising Council Tax and drawing on reserves to expand their own office’s budget by 17% to £3.3 million a year, while Surrey Police will have to make do with 50 fewer […]

The Lib Dems and have slammed the Conservatives running Surrey County Council’s budget as one that fails residents by making them ‘pay twice’ for social care reforms whilst mismanagement sees money wasted, services cut and £200 million held in reserve. People in Surrey will now be faced with ‘paying twice’ for social care reforms thanks […]

The Lib Dems have set out a “cost of living rescue plan” that would save thousands of struggling families in Woking nearly £1,000 this year. It comes after Ofgem announced earlier this week, a crippling rise to people’s heating bills, with the energy price cap set to soar by 54% to £1,971 in April. Energy […]

Surrey County Council’s hopes of getting more powers from central government as part of a County Deal lie in ruins following the publication of the Government’s Levelling Up White Paper. Yesterday, the Government has unveiled their plans which include the promotion of regional mayors and give several areas County Deals – however Surrey was not […]

Earlier this week, Woking Borough Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee received a financial review of the Council carried out by Ernst and Young. My Lib Dem colleagues on the Committee explored the report’s findings with key questions on the status of the review, asset valuations, the viability of Council companies, ability to pay back loans, […]