A consultation has opened on the first draft of the 'LDF' (Local Development Framework). This is the blueprint of what happens to Spelthorne over the next 10 years or more. Green Belt and Housing are at the heart of it. With the Conservative government ruthlessly driving the over-development agenda demanded by the big builders, it is essential that local residents make their voice heard.
Liberal Democrat County Councillors in Surrey have heavily criticised the Conservative-administration at County Hall after Conservative Councillors awarded themselves thousands of pounds of extra allowances in a vote at Council yesterday. The vote means that 4 new Deputy Cabinet positions will be created, at a cost of £40K a year, as well as extra allowances for committee vice-chairs. Liberal Democrat County Councillors opposed these increases and voted against them at County Hall.
Cllr Chris Botten, Leader of the Liberal Democrats at Surrey County Council, said:
Liberal Democrat county councillors have expressed their concern after it was revealed that Surrey County Council is planning to reduce spending on services by nearly £200m by the end of 2019/20. The figures were released in a report to the Council's Cabinet earlier this week, alongside the Conservative-administration's decision to hire consultants, at an undisclosed sum, to assist with the County Council's "programme management and change capacity" project.
Responding to the publication of today's Ofsted inspection of Surrey County Council, Cllr Chris Botten, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said:
"The publication today of the Ofsted report into Surrey's Children's services makes difficult reading, and tells of a slow, almost dilatory approach to improvement since the last Ofsted inspection. I agree that the right leadership and governance arrangements are now in place to make rapid progress, but am concerned about the lost years for the children in our care. Surrey County Council has been far too slow to recognise the urgent need for modernisation and improvement. The new appointment of an Executive Director for Children, Families & Learning gives me confidence going forward, but nothing can repair the years when children received poor support and were at risk. Each and every recommendation in the report must be implemented and I will do my best to ensure, through my membership of the Children's Select Committee, that they are".
Commenting on Theresa May's Brexit speech at Mansion House, Vince Cable MP Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said:
May's diminished authority is allowing Brexit extremists to neuter any chance she has at getting an acceptable deal for the UK.
"With a listless government beholden to hard-line Tories the only way to protect our future is ensure a referendum on the final deal. Surely, If May believes in her strategy, she would happily take it to the country."
Liberal Democrat county councillors in Surrey have expressed their concerns over the long waiting times faced by children and young people with mental health problems in the county.
Ahead of next week's Children and Education Select Committee, where the matter is due to be discussed, Cllr Chris Botten, Lib Dem Spokesperson for Children & Education, said:
A survey by Kantar Public, published today (Sunday, 18 February), has found that 56% of the public judge the Conservatives' handling of Berexit as poor or very poor.
Whether people are for or against Brexit, there is clearly growing anger that the Conservatives are badly mishandling negotiations.
Warring factions in the Conservative Party mean the prospect of sensible negotiations has long since disappeared.
This is why there is growing support for the Liberal Democrat policy of a vote on the terms of the deal, with the option of an exit from Brexit.
Michel Barnier has warned that a transition period immediately after Brexit is 'not a given' and that he did not understand some of the UK's positions on Brexit.
When Barnier says he doesn't understand some of the positions the UK government are taking over Brexit, he is not only speaking for the EU but also the entire British population.
