Surrey Liberal Democrats

Surrey News

Lib Dems slam Tory plans to restrict local funding allocations in Surrey

New rules that prevent councillors from funding street lighting, grit bins and highway schemes from their own local allocation budgets have been heavily criticised by Liberal Democrat County Councillors in Surrey. The rules, which were introduced by the Conservative-administration at the Annual General Meeting of the County Council held on 23rd May, prompted one Tory county councillor to speak out against their own Leader and several more abstained on a Liberal Democrat motion to drop the proposed change.

25 May 2017

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Surrey Conservatives forced to scrap unnecessary £192K Cabinet Associate posts

Liberal Democrat county councillors in Surrey have welcomed the news that the Conservative-administration at County Hall has finally agreed to scrap the 4 Cabinet Associate posts which have so far cost the tax payer nearly two hundred thousand pounds since they were introduced. Liberal Democrats have consistently called for these posts to be scrapped and for the money saved to be used on front line services, rather than on excessive allowances for Conservative county councillors. The roles that will end are:

11 May 2017

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Top Tory councillor in Surrey defects to the Lib Dems

Conservative councillor for Walton South, Christine Elmer leaves the Conservative Party and switches her allegiance to the Liberal Democrats Having spent 11 years working for the Conservatives, Walton South councillor Christine Elmer, has joined the Liberal Democrats party today. She announced her departure on Twitter saying:

24 Apr 2017

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Tory snap election delays Surrey's business rates lifeline

Liberal Democrat county councillors have expressed their dismay at the news that Sajid Javid MP, the Conservative Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government, has delayed the pilot scheme that would have allowed Surrey County Council to retain 100% of its business rates next year. The Government had previously agreed to allow Surrey County Council to apply to become a pilot for the scheme in 2018/19 but the sudden announcement of a general election has meant that the parliamentary process to confirm this has been interrupted and the pilot scheme delayed.

21 Apr 2017

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Lib Dem success as Surrey County Council axes unpopular magazine

Liberal Democrat councillors have welcomed the decision by Conservative-run Surrey County Council to cease the publication of its unpopular "Surrey Matters" magazine. The magazine, which has cost council tax payers over £1.2m since 2011, was axed following a meeting of the County Council's Cabinet at the end of March. The last edition was published in January 2017 and the cancellation will save the County Council approximately £250K a year.

19 Apr 2017

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"When will the Tip Tax be scrapped?" - Lib Dems call for Surrey Cabinet Member to name the date

Liberal Democrat county councillors in Surrey have written to the Conservative Cabinet Member for the Environment asking him to name the date that the controversial "Tip Tax" will be scrapped. Following guidance issued by the Government earlier this week, Cllr Stephen Cooksey, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for the Environment on Surrey County Council, has written to Cllr Mike Goodman, Cabinet Member for the Environment, asking him for further assurances that the charges will be dropped.

12 Apr 2017

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