Surrey
Liberal Democrats

News

Lib Dems condemn poor rates of return and secrecy as Surrey County Council bets the house on property investment

Liberal Democrats have condemned proposals for Surrey County Council to dramatically increase its property investment portfolio of commercial buildings , whilst at the same time removing the opportunity for scrutiny before decisions are taken. Currently, proposals to purchase commercial properties are brought before the county council's Cabinet for decision, albeit in private, whereas under the new arrangements the Cabinet would receive information on purchases after the decision has been taken.

28 Mar 2017
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STATEMENT FROM CLLR HAZEL WATSON ON SURREY'S DECISION TO GIVE NOTICE TO QUIT THE LGA

Commenting on the news that Cllr David Hodge has unilaterally　given notice for　Surrey County Council　to leave　the　Local Government Association (LGA) in a year's time, Cllr Hazel Watson, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council,　said today:　 "I am　appalled by this decision. The Local Government Association is the key organisation within local government which enables　the county council　to lobby central government　and make its case for resources and funding. The LGA has helped Surrey to save money, enabling　the county council to　recover millions　of pounds　back　after the　Icelandic banking crash.　The county council　needs a voice at the top table and this short sighted move takes that voice away. Only　three councils in the country are not members of the LGA, so we are moving from the membership of a large and influential group to an isolated position on the fringes. "Cllr Hodge should have consulted widely within the county council before even considering such a rash and intemperate move. Yet again

28 Mar 2017
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REVEALED: Tory Council suppressed damaging financial report for months

Conservative-run Surrey County Council has been forced to release a damaging financial report which warned in December 2016 that a 15% council tax referendum was "highly likely to fail". The report, produced by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA), cost nearly £25,000 and was commissioned in December but was only released to councillors on March 21st 2017, six weeks after the Council's budget meeting. The report states "In CIPFA's view a referendum is highly likely to fail" and goes on to note that the Council's financial position is "extremely worrying" and "the absence of a credible cost-reduction plan", and that "The council's financial plans are not robust and it is at risk of becoming financially unsustainable". It concludes that the council's financial resilience is "dependant on winning a referendum process, high levels of unidentified savings and rapidly declining reserves - not a good place!". Cllr Hazel Watson, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council,

23 Mar 2017
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Is your Local School Losing Out?

Lib Dem success as Surrey agrees to oppose school cuts but headteacher warns of 4-day week

Liberal Democrat Councillors have successfully called for Surrey County Council to oppose the Government's funding proposals which could leave schools in Surrey with a £37m hole in their budgets by 2019/20. It follows the release of a letter from a Surrey Headteacher warning his local Conservative MP that schools in Surrey may be forced to implement a 4-day week. Cllr Will Forster, who moved the motion at a Council meeting yesterday, said:

22 Mar 2017
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