Surrey County Council's poor performance in the delivery of some of its key services, compared to other councils, was highlighted today by the Liberal Democrats. Of particular concern is its poor performance in improving the condition of the roads. According to recent Government figures nearly 40% of Surrey's main roads were in need of repair last year.
The new Lib Dem team at County Hall dived straight in today, putting forward proposals to give Surrey residents the right to present petitions to the Full Council. For the first time this would allow residents direct access to its most important decision-making body. The intention was to make the County Council more democratic by bringing it into line with the many other councils across the country that already give their residents this right. The motion was proposed by Eddie Owen (Guildford East) and seconded by John Doran (Horsell). However the proposals were voted down by an alliance of Conservative and Labour councillors, so Surrey residents will continue to be denied the rights available to residents in many other parts of the country.
A new ICM poll, which found that only 55% of the population support the scheme - compared with the 80% cited by the government. This fall is mainly due to the escalating costs of the ID cards, now at almost £100 and suggested to rise to £300 per person (by academics at the London School of Economics).
Criminal assets worth a record £84 million have been recovered during the last year. As a result of this, Kent Police receive a share of just £293,697 towards reducing crime locally.
Cllr. Alan Taylor, Leader of the Lib Dem Opposition on Rochdale Council has slammed a decision to cut £100,000 off Rochdale's Community Centre budget and is leading calls for a rethink. Cllr. Taylor has called the item in for further scrutiny and will be asking the Cabinet to find the money elsewhere.
Friday 17th June at ASDA, Rochdale - 4.30-6.30pm
