There are plans to build almost 100 properties and a care home on former Green Belt land off Egley Road in Mayford. The land to west of Egley Road between Mayford and Woking was recently released from Green Belt by both the Government’s Planning Inspector and Woking Borough Council. As a result, Cala Homes and […]

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 […]

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 local Lib Dems have slammed local Conservative MP Jonathan Lord’s choice to break their promise to the electorate and vote for a 1.25% rise in National Insurance. The changes, which go against the Tories’ manifesto promise not to raise taxes, will mean hard-pressed local families and small businesses will be left paying hundreds of […]

The Good Law Project is taking legal action against Surrey County Council for sending children in care outside of Surrey. This news comes as no surprise to my Lib Dem colleagues and I – we have regularly challenged the Council on its delivery of services to vulnerable children over many years, that it is now […]

The Lib Dems have secured support for measures that will result in all care leavers in Surrey being exempt from paying Council Tax from next April. In 2018, the Lib Dems and I won unanimous backing at Surrey County Council for a motion to exempt care leavers from paying tax until they are 25.  Ten of […]

The Lib Dems and I have called on Surrey County Council to stand up to the Government over its failure to deliver the previously promised reform of the social care system. My Lib Dem colleagues and I have tabled a motion to the County Council’s next meeting on 13th July demanding that the Council continues […]

This Carers Week, the Lib Dems and I are calling on the Government to provide emergency funding to give carers a break from dramatically increased caring responsibilities during the coronavirus pandemic. More than 108,400 people in Surrey are looking after elderly, disabled or vulnerable people.  Data from Carers UK shows 64% of carers have not been […]

Last week, the news broke that the verdict of Ofsted’s most recent monitoring visit to Surrey County Council’s Children’s Services would not be published until after the election on Thursday 6th May. The explanation for this from the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills is that “it is normal practice to delay […]

Earlier today, Surrey County Council unanimously agreed to my motion which would see the Council look at holding meetings remotely after lockdown as finished. The County Council and I hope virtual meetings will save taxpayers money and reduce its environmental impact, as well as encourage more working age people and those with caring responsibilities to […]