Lib Dems reveal extent of 'criminal' Tory police cuts
Lib Dem analysis of new Home Office figures, published this week, has revealed that the Conservative Government cut funding to Surrey Police by 5.8% in real terms between the year 2015-16 and 2019-20.
According to Lib Dem analysis, total Government funding to all 43 forces (in 2019-20 prices) fell from £8.48 billion in 2015-16 to £7.99 billion in 2019-20. 32 of the 43 forces across the country experienced cuts of 6% or more.
Lib Dem Home Affairs Spokesperson Ed Davey said:
"Across the country, we are seeing rising crime and falling police. Far too many people now feel unsafe walking down their own streets."
"Taking 5,000 police off our streets in the last four years and cutting funding in real-terms by £490 million from 2015-16 to 2019-20 are big Tory crimes."
Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for Woking, Will Forster added:
Surrey County Council declares a climate emergency
On Tuesday 9th July 2019, Surrey County Council unanimously agreed to declare a climate emergency.
Local environment campaigners were out in force at the County Hall meeting, and reacted with applause and cheers to the supportive speeches and declaration of the climate emergency.
As developer Cortland applies for planning permission to build a 39 storey skyscraper on the site of the former BHS, in Commercial Way, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Woking Council Ann-Marie Barker said
"Skyscrapers are not the answer for Woking's future".
"Concentrating development in the town centre makes sense and protects our green belt but that does not mean we need a town centre full of skyscrapers" fumed Cllr. Barker "Fifteen storeys, the height of the 'ship' development behind the station, would be more appropriate for a town the size of Woking".
Brexit would result in a decade lost to political crisis and economic trouble
Three years on since the referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union, the Liberal Democrats have warned Brexit must be stopped to avoid "a decade lost to political crisis and economic trouble".
Sunday, the 23rd of June, marked three years since the referendum. Despite this, the Conservative Government has been unable to negotiate a Brexit deal that can be agreed by Parliament.
Liberal Democrats welcome Government investment in Woking
Local Lib Dems have welcomed the Government's decision to spent £95 million on Woking's infrastructure.
On Tuesday 11th June, the Government announced that £95 million from the Housing Infrastructure Fund would be invested in Woking to revamp Victoria Arch and the A320 highway network south of railway bridge.
Liberal Democrat County Councillor for Woking South, Will Forster said:
"Since being elected as County Councillor for Woking South in 2009, I have been pushing for better access to the town centre and railway station from the south side of Woking. Victoria Arch and the roads leading up to it are inadequate for motorists, dangerous for cyclists and unpleasant for pedestrians. That is why the Liberal Democrats and I fully welcome the decision to spend £95 million on Woking's transport system."
Making Woking more open and transparent - over the first hurdle
Woking Council could change the way it is run if proposals from the Liberal Democrat Group Leader are agreed by Council next month.
Cllr Barker wants the Council to review the benefits of moving to a committee system.. This could replace the current council system of a 'strong leader' and Executive. Cllr Barker's proposal cleared its first hurdle when it was agreed by the Council's Executive on Thursday. The proposal now goes to Council in July.
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.
Following their local election success, the Liberal Democrats on Woking Borough Council have agreed to work closely with the other two opposition parties, to deliver on their agenda of greater openness and transparency, a green council that acts on the climate emergency, a Council that makes recycling easier but cracks down on fly tippers and a Council that makes accessing our town and village centres easier and more cost effective whether by car, bus, cycle or on foot.
Opposition parties won 6 of the 10 seats contested on 2nd May and voters sent a clear message to the Conservatives that they wanted change. The Conservatives are still the largest party on Woking Council, but they will no longer be able to push votes through on their block vote. They will need to listen more to other Councillors and the public.
Lib Dem Group Leader, Councillor Ann-Marie Barker, said:
"By working together as a strong opposition, Lib Democrats, Labour and Independent Councillors can all fully scrutinise Council operations, investigate our areas of concern and bring much-needed transparency to the Council."
"The Lib Dem Group are willing to play our part in the running of the Council by taking on key committee chairs and we will also support the other opposition groups to take these leadership roles. By opposition Councillors chairing all Council committees, we can start to bring change and transparency to Woking Council and properly hold the ruling Conservatives accountable."
One stumbling block to the future smooth running of Woking Council is the current Leader of the Council, Councillor Bittleston. He is widely seen as overly controlling with recent defector to the Lib Dem Councillor Graham Chrystie describing him as 'curtailing debate within the Conservative group'. Concerns have also been raised over Councillor Bittleston's treatment of Citizen's Advice Woking and the amount of time he spends at his residence in Scotland.
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.
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.
