News

Housing Crisis

Runnymede Liberal Democrats believe that one way to address the national housing crisis is to encourage dwellings that have been empty for two or more years back into occupation. For this reason we are bringing forward a motion to Runnymede Borough Council on the 15th July 2021 for the implementation of the Empty Dwelling Council Tax Premiums as legislated by the Government in November 2018. This allows councils to charge premiums of 100%, 200% and 300% for dwellings that have been empty for more than 2, 5 and 10 years respectively. The full details of the motion can be seen below:

Elect Don Whyte to Surrey County Council

Don Whyte is standing for election to Surrey County Council for Foxhills, Thorpe and Virginia Water. Find out more about who he is and why he is standing for election in the below leaflet which was distributed to the division ahead of the elections.

Planning Applications – Increase to Objections Threshold in Runnymede

Following a vote at Full Council last month, Runnymede Borough Council have increased the threshold for when planning applications are automatically heard at the Planning Committee. It has increased from 3 or more objections received to 11 or more. "Whilst I understand that 3 objections is one of the lowest in Surrey," said Cllr Sylvia Whyte "I do not agree that we should have jumped from 3 to 11 overnight. I am concerned that residents will not get the opportunity to have their views heard and, whilst some of these applications may be seen as small, for instance comparing an extension to building 10 new homes, they can have a huge consequence for the resident with an objection. This feels like another example of the Conservative Administration finding ways to suppress the voices of our residents ".

Transparency at Last for Runnymede Councillor Payments

Local Elections Manifesto 2021

Lib Dems help get County Council to seek expansion of Free School Meals

Surrey Lib Dems have long looked to highlight the dire consequences of food poverty, especially for children and shown their support for extending the provision of Free School Meals advocated by other Lib Dem groups across the country.