New, larger Woking Liberal Democrat Group take their seats
Thursday 16th May was the first council meeting of the municipal year in Woking. This meeting elects a new Mayor and Deputy and hands out certificates to retiring councillors.

The new, larger Liberal Democrat group of 10, were all in attendance. Cllr Rob Leach and Cllr James Sanderson joined the group following their election victories and Cllr Will Forster returned to the group after his year as Mayor.

Liberal Democrats set agenda for year ahead

Meet the Liberal Democrats Standing in the EU Elections

The Liberal Democrats are fighting these elections as the largest pro-European Party, campaigning hard for a People's Vote with an option to remain in the EU. We are working hard to give a voice to the millions of people who demand better than Brexit Britain.

Hoe Valley Ward Surgery every second Saturday

Councillors Louise Morales and Deborah Hughes have been meeting local residents every second Saturday at the Old Woking Community Centre from 10-11am. If you have any Council issues please do come and speak to us.

Local Liberal Democrats cemented their strong position on Woking Council at Thursday's elections. The Liberal Democrats held all of their seats and made a gain to deprive Conservatives of control of the Council.

The Liberal Democrat group is now 10 strong, including Rob Leach who gained a Conservative seat in St John's, and former Conservative Graham Chrystie who joined in April.

The Liberal Democrats have today announced their list of MEP candidates in the South East constituency for the European elections on the 23rd May.

The diverse list of candidates includes a current MEP, Councillors and other hard working community activists.

The Liberal Democrats will fight the elections as an unapologetically pro-European Party campaigning hard to stop Brexit and restore Britain's tarnished reputation in Europe.

Woking Conservative Councillor defects to the Lib Dems

Graham Chrystie, a Conservative Councillor for Pyrford for 8 years, has left the Conservative Party and joined the Lib Dems on the eve of May's local elections.

This brings the Liberal Democrats, the largest opposition group, to 9 councillors and puts Woking Council into no overall control, with equal numbers of opposition and Conservative councillors.

Councillor Graham Chrystie said, "The Conservative Party in Woking is failing on openness, proper consultation and financial disclosure. The Leader of the Council, who has his main residence in Scotland, has curtailed debate within the Conservative Group and has proceeded with projects which too often lack transparency. Residents have not been consulted on key decisions such as plans for a Pub/Restaurant on the sacrosanct West Byfleet Recreation Ground, a site held by the Borough as a Trustee for local residents."

Councillor Chrystie is surprised that the Conservative administration seem to be proud of the fact that Woking Borough has borrowed more money than almost any other Local Authority in England. He has seen West Byfleet poorly treated and regrets the sorry state of the partly derelict village centre that is a far cry from the vibrant centre of a few years ago.

During his time as a councillor, Cllr Chrystie has tirelessly supported the two Neighbourhood Forums which have been registered in his area. He believes that Forums give an important voice to our local communities. He is delighted that there is now a Forum moving ahead in Hoe Valley, with major input from the Lib Dems, and is disappointed that the Conservative administration has apparently delayed progress on this.

Graham Chrysite added, "I cannot in conscience remain a member of the Conservative Group. I now feel I can work more effectively for my ward residents and deliver what local people want, within the Lib Dem Group, where I can operate within an established, harmonious and effective team."

Welcoming Graham Chrystie to the Lib Dems, Group Leader, Councillor Ann-Marie Barker said, "Graham has been an excellent Councillor for Pyrford and made a huge contribution to the Council, with roles on the scrutiny committee and on planning and finance scrutiny. Beyond the Council he has been a representative on Community Transport, where he has worked closely with my deputy Cllr Deborah Hughes. Graham will be a fantastic addition to the Liberal Democrat group, bringing his finance and planning knowledge and his experience with neighbourhood forums".

Ann-Marie Barker added, "Both nationally and locally, the Conservatives are a fiasco and the Lib Dems are the clear alternative. Unlike the Tories, we are willing to take a step back and think of the consequences, whether it is leaving the EU or Woking Council's unprecedented borrowing. Local people have the opportunity to change Woking's future on 2nd May by voting for change with the Lib Dems."

Government must do much more to tackle childhood obesity

The Lib Dems have today called on Conservative Ministers to invest in local services to tackle childhood obesity following fresh official figures reveal 16% of children aged 10 to 11 across Woking are obese.

According to the figures published by Public Health England, 20% children aged 10 - 11 across England are obese. The publication also reveals that half a million children in their final year of primary school are overweight or obese.

Lib Dem Health Spokesperson, Judith Jolly, said:

"It is deeply worrying that 20% of 10 and 11 year olds are obese. That means over 330,00 10 to 11 year old children are more likely to have health problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers."

"The Tories, distracted by their own Brexit mess, have taken their eye off the ball. They are quite frankly failing to respond to childhood obesity. It does not need to be this way. That is why the Lib Dems demand better."

Lib Dem County Councillor, Will Forster, added:

"Unless action is taken we are sitting on an obesity time bomb that will only increase pressure on services. Obesity in Woking among 4 - 5 year olds at reception is quite low, just 6.4%. However, as children get a bit older, obesity becomes a real problem - almost 16% of children in year 6 are obese and just under 30% of 10 and 11 year olds are excessively overweight."

"Children in Woking deserve better. We desperately need to be doing much more to ensure that we are giving children the best start in life. Unless action is taken we are sitting on an obesity time bomb that will only increase pressure on our NHS."

"We need to give local government the tools to deal with childhood obesity. Lib Dems would reinstate funding into public health budgets, including more money for active travel, and closing loopholes in the sugary drinks tax.