Bus services in Surrey are so poor under the current Tory administration at Surrey County Council, that last year 2 out of every 3 residents were unhappy with the their record, according to a recent survey.
Attempts by Surrey Tories to undermine the defence of the Green Belt have been blocked, in part by some of their own party who voted with Lib Dems and Environmentalists to strengthen opposition to Green Belt development in the South East Region.
Liberal Democrat Councillors on Surrey County Council have criticised the Conservative administration for seeking to put all the blame for a potentially high Council Tax for next year on the government, without recognising that it has had opportunities over many years to review how the budget is spent.
Liberal Democrats criticised the Conservative administration's policy on waste in Surrey at a recent County Council meeting. Councillor Tom Sharp, Lib Dem Spokesman on the Environment said, "The Conservative administration is placing too much emphasis on incineration as a way of dealing with Surrey's waste."
Conservatives on Surrey County Council have refused to amend the Surrey Structure Plan to delete the proposal to build new housing in the green belt north east of Guildford. Liberal Democrats believe that keeping this proposal in the plan, even as a last resort will set a very dangerous precedent that may result in further threats to Surrey's green belt.
It appears that Lib Dem pressure to make the Tory administration think twice before they propose any further cuts to bus services in the County, may be bearing fruit. No further cuts have been made to bus services and Transport Consultative Groups have been set up. The Conservative administration was persuaded that the review of public transport taking place after the drastic cuts made last year should be widened to include all transport provided within Surrey, and the Task Group is soon to announce the findings.
