Mole Valley Liberal Democrats

In the County Council elections on May 2nd, Liberal Democrats in Mole Valley held both the seats that they were defending. In Dorking Hills, Hazel Watson was returned with a significantly increased majority and, in Dorking South and the Holmwoods, Stephen Cooksey was also returned comfortably. Elsewhere in our area, no seats changed hands, although LibDem Mike Ward made a strong challenge in Dorking Rural.

Following a question from Liberal Democrat leader David Preedy, the Executive at Mole Valley District Council has agreed to write to local MPs asking them to retain the House of Lords' amendment to the Growth and Infrastructure Bill. The amendment would allow local authorities to opt out of the proposals which allow larger back-garden extensions without Planning Permission under the so-called Permitted Development Rights.

At the Mole Valley Council meeting on 19th March, the Independents and Tories presented a Corporate Plan which failed to mention the need to protect the countryside in our beautiful district. Only the Liberal Democrats realised it was an important priority which should be included in the Council's business plan for the year.

After Last May's District elections, leaders of all parties committed to restore a Committee-based system which would restore greater democracy by involving more Councillors in decision-making. However at the Council meeting on 19^th March, both parties abandoned these commitments and voted to retain the Executive system of governance. Only the Liberal Democrats fulfilled the pledges made last year by arguing and voting to re-introduce a Committee-based system.

Surrey County Council's Conservative administration is covering up the true state of the County's roads according to the Liberal Democrat opposition at County Hall.

In response to a written question from the Liberal Democrat Leader of the Opposition Hazel Watson to today's meeting of the Council asking: "What percentage of Surrey's roads will deteriorate to a standard of poor over the next 5 years?", the Conservative Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment has responded: "Our intention is that 0% of Surrey roads will deteriorate to poor during this period through a combination of the new 5 year major maintenance programme and preventative maintenance on the rest of the network."

The Liberal Democrats are calling on Surrey County Council to protect the County's Green Belt. In a motion to the County Council next Tuesday, 19 March, Liberal Democrat Councillor Ian Beardsmore will call on the Council to do everything in its power to protect Green Belt land and to ensure that any Green Belt development in the County is in line with the needs and wishes of Surrey residents.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has closed the Liberal Democrat Spring Conference in Brighton by calling on members to spread the message of the Party's commitment in Government to deliver a stronger economy and a fairer society.

In his keynote Leader's speech, Nick paid tribute to the work of the Party in winning the Eastleigh by-election, beating the Conservatives into third place and squeezing Labour while campaigning on the Lib Dem record of delivering in Government.

Liberal Democrat District Councillors have criticised the District Council's administration for cutting support to the Citizen's Advice Bureau and denying, for the second year running, any funding to local arts and cultural activities when setting the District Council's budget for the forthcoming year.

Liberal Democrat Pensions Minister Steve Webb MP was in Dorking on 28th February to launch the Liberal Democrat County Council campaign for the elections on 2 May. He said, "In Mole Valley Liberal Democrats have consistently campaigned on behalf of the community and have challenged the poor record of the Conservative administration at County Hall. This will be translated into votes on May 2."

Commenting on the further raising of the Personal Allowance, Hazel Watson the Liberal Democrat Leader of the Opposition on Surrey County Council, said:

"From April, 470,800 ordinary working people in Surrey will get a further Income Tax cut, bringing the total tax cut to £600 a year since Liberal Democrats joined the Coalition Government.