Mole Valley Liberal Democrats - Demand Better

We elected three South East MEPs in the recent Euro Elections and one of them - Anthony Hook - would like to say thank you, and update you on all things EU and Brexit.

Exact time and place to be decided, but please keep the date.

Surrey County Council has just granted UK Oil & Gas (UKOG) planning permission for four extra production oil wells and a water reinjection well (11^th September). The Planning and Regulatory Committee failed to take into account both government policy on climate change and their own recent declaration of a Climate Emergency. Furthermore, the recent worrying spate of earthquakes around Newdigate were not deemed valid in terms of planning objections; earthquakes apparently come under the jurisdiction of the Environment Agency and the Oil and Gas Authority, bodies which did not object on these grounds. Consequently, they were afforded no weight in the planning decision.

Following our successes at the May elections, the Liberal Democrats now control Mole Valley District Council and our Liberal Democrat Councillors want to update you on progress and plans.

Our discussions will include the consultation on the Local Plan to build new homes in Mole Valley. We want your feedback on what has been achieved and advice on priorities for the future.

This year's quiz is on Friday 25th October, 7p.m. for a 7.30 start at the Old Barn Hall in Church Road, Bookham. The cost is £13 per person including a light supper - but bring your own drinks.

If you have been before you'll know that it is good fun. It is a non-political occasion but it is an important fundraiser for the local Party. Do try and come.

The Lib Dem administration considers the problem of roadside littering in Mole Valley to be a critical issue that needs a comprehensive solution.

At the Council meeting on 9^th July the opposition proposed a motion to adopt the 'Don't be a Tosser' Keep Britain Tidy campaign from January 2018. Whilst well-meaning, this is an inadequate yet potentially costly response. Furthermore it does not reflect the Council's existing activities including support for local litter picks, the need for fuller engagement by Surrey County Council as Highways Authority, or indeed the need to keep our recycling centres free and open for household waste.

At the Council Meeting on Tuesday 9^th July the Lib Dems supported the opposition motion to positively celebrate local diversity in Mole Valley. We made some amendments to ensure proper management and effective use of limited council resources and agreed to promote inclusion in all appropriate future communication.

Today we received the wonderful news that the Molebridge Practice's application to close its Fetcham surgery has been withdrawn. Read the Statement.

We would like to thank everyone who joined the campaign to retain a GP surgery in Fetcham - whether signing our petition, going out in the rain to collect signatures, or responding to the survey/consultation. We leafleted every house, we gave interviews to the press and on radio, we asked questions at the County and District Councils, and we spoke to NHS representatives - all to make sure decision-makers understood the strength of feeling within the community.

The Liberal Democrats successfully steered their Climate Emergency motion through an Extraordinary meeting of Mole Valley District Council on Tuesday 18th June. The result was met with delight and cheers from the public viewing gallery.

This now empowers the Lib Dem administration to drive ahead with policies and programmes that will enable Mole Valley to be one of the leading councils in the country delivering effective measures to help safeguard our world from the damaging effects of global warming.

It's eighteen months since Mole Valley District Council sought to sell the footpath in front of Pippbrook Mill between Fairfield Drive and London Road, then backed down in the face of very significant opposition from residents, and the District and County Councils made a joint commitment to register the footpath on the Definitive Footpath Map.

Many thanks to the hundreds of residents who have so far signed our petition to retain a GP surgery in Fetcham, following the Molebridge Practice's application to close its Fetcham surgery from 20 August. And particular thanks to those of you who have printed off a copy of the petition and collected signatures from friends and neighbours. If you have not yet signed you can do so here: mvld.org.uk/fetchamgp Or you can download a signature sheet for your friends and nieghbours to sign.