The Tory government has broken the promise in their manifesto, that there would be "no expansion of Heathrow". Anyone living within 10 to 15 miles of the airport will be affected by both noise and air pollution as well as additional pressure on our road network and over stretched infrastructure such as hospitals, GP surgeries and schools.
A BIG thank you to all who responded to the bus cuts petition. Surrey has come up with a stop gap solution that protects most of the services until August. However, there is nothing in place beyond that.
A National Solution to Social Care Crisis Needed Urgently Many of us will be relieved that Surrey County Council have decided not to raise our Council taxes by 15% but the increase of 4.99%, which has now been agreed, will still be a huge blow to some who are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Over the last 6 years council tax in Surrey has gone up 19.3%, whilst many have seen little increase in wages. In spite of the increases we are facing a staggering £123m cuts to services in the next 12 months.
Local fire services in Runnymede could come under severe pressure as the Conservative led Surrey County Council has decided to close Staines Fire Station. Currently there are 4 fire stations across Runnymede and Spelthorne covering the 2 boroughs.
Whilst the local tips continue to charge for disposing additional bags of rubbish the Lib Dems have discovered that the charge is actually illegal. Legislation was passed in March 2015 by the then coalition government which prevented councils from charging residents to use household waste recycling centres, either at the point of entry, exit or disposal.
Hundreds of houses to be built impacting roads & hospitals It is great news that more housing is being built across the country. However there are local concerns about the number of large developments proposed by the Government.
Yesterday, Surrey County Council's Cabinet agreed to close eight residential care homes.
Lib Dems say budget fails residents:
Lib Dem Councillors on the Surrey Police and Crime Panel have 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 frontline staff than they need to address performance issues.
The Liberal Democrats have set out a "cost of living rescue plan" that would save thousands of struggling families in Surrey nearly £1,000 this year.
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.
Conservatives running Surrey County Council dismissed calls by the Lib Dems to roll out 20 mph zones in residential roads and outside schools across Surrey at yesterday's Full Council meeting.
