Surrey's Conservative administration has announced their plans to scrap all 11 local borough councils in Surrey. The Conservative Leader of Surrey County Council has announced his bid to make the whole of Surrey one Unitary Authority, meaning that all the services provided by the Surrey boroughs would be controlled by a monolithic administration based in Kingston.
In a report published today (13th July) the House of Commons Public Account Committee (PAC) has roundly condemned Spelthorne as the worst example of a small number of councils who have borrowed excessively to invest in the property market.
Following an incredible response from residents, Surrey County Council has scrapped its plans to close a number of roads in the Lower Sunbury Area as part of its Active Travel plans. The Liberal Democrats were not responsible for these initial plans, but have been glad that despite no consultation, residents have got their voice heard.
Recognising the increase in Anti-Social Behaviour in the Sunbury Area, Spelthorne Lib Dems have been liaising with the Council to help make residents and businesses feel safer.
Cllr Tom Fidler and Cllr Kathy Grant enquired with the Neighbourhood Safety Team at Spelthorne Borough Council about the prospect of installing CCTV on the shopping parade in Green Street. This followed concerns raised by residents in School Walk, Blacksmith Close, Green Street and discussion with the businesses on the parade.
Surrey County Council has agreed to match fund the Government's Emergency Active Travel Fund which potentially provides much needed improved pedestrian and cycling infrastructure for residents.
Cycling and walking around Lower Sunbury has become increasingly difficult as traffic grows again on our main roads and social distancing must be maintained. We are delighted that Surrey has identified Sunbury as a site for improvement, however as seen from the experience of French Street, we must get the schemes right before implementation.
There is no need to complete this survey but we would still like to hear your views on how we could improve things in Sunbury. Please let us have your views here: .
The government require that the scheme is implemented very quickly - before the end of August. This will be done by putting temporary road obstructions in place which can be removed at a later date if the scheme is not working.
Following the AGM, Councillor Bernie Spoor was elected to represent Spelthorne on the Surrey Crime and Police Panel. The role of the committee is to examine the actions and decisions of our Police and Crime Commissioner and we are delighted that Bernie has been successful.
LIB DEMS LEAD CALLS TO BRING PARITY FOR ALL POLITICAL GROUPS
At the Spelthorne Borough Council AGM on the 18th June, the Liberal Democrats led the calls for a renegotiation of the terms of reference for Committees for the ensuing year. This was done to ensure that the Council is considering constitutionally sound papers before members are asked to vote.
Our solution to reopen the Walled Garden in Sunbury-on-Thames
Spelthorne Borough Council has closed the Walled Garden in Sunbury for an indefinite period in response to the inclusion of the Lendy memorial in a list of potential targets on the ToppleTheRacists website. In the light of the protests in Bristol, London and elsewhere we can understand why a shot-term closure might be both pragmatic and in the best interests of public safety.
The memorial commemorates two young Sunbury residents who died in Southern Africa late in the 19th century. Both were serving in the armed forces and were actively involved in what we now consider to be colonialist wars.
Local Liberal Democrat councillors were not informed or consulted about the closure of the Walled Garden. We questioned the decision when we discovered it had been made and are pushing for the reopening of this important public space as soon as it is safe to do so.
Local Liberal Democrats see the monument as an integral part of Lower Sunbury. It does not present an image of an individual nor does it seek to glorify colonialism. In order to reflect the inequalities that the latest Black Lives Matter protests have highlighted, we would like to see a new plaque added to provide a more modern context.
Sunbury East councillor, Kathy Grant said "Racism has no place in our society and the Liberal Democrats as a party continue to strive to build a fairer, society without prejudice. We cannot ignore our colonial legacy. If we are to look towards a better future, we have to recognise it as part of our national history. Removing this memorial to two local young men would do nothing to promote racial equality, but we all need to accept that we have to engage properly about some of the difficult narratives of our past. An updated plaque or similar acknowledgement shows that we can be part of this important dialogue."
No response yet from Surrey County Council to our letter
The queues for Charlton Lane Eco Park are intolerable. Your local borough representatives, inc LibDem Cllr Tom Fidler, sent several messages to Suez and Surrey CC. We have gone back to Suez to get some more understanding but silence from Surrey who are not leading by example.
