Epsom & Ewell Liberal Democrats

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Steve Gee

Steve Gee

Welcome to the website of the Epsom & Ewell Liberal Democrats. We hope you find it interesting. Amongst other things you can:

Steve Gee

Chairman

Latest News


Plans for Night Working at Epsom Station Deferred New!

Fri 3rd Sep 2010

Amidst much heckling from the public gallery, a planning application to allow night working at Epsom Station has been deferred for decision until October 7th. A meeting of the Planning Committee yesterday, 2nd September, was remarkable for two reasons : firstly the "consultation" period on the proposals had not expired by the time the plans were brought to the Committee for decision and secondly a blow-by-blow commentary of the meeting was transmitted via the internet on Twitter thanks to local Guardian reporter Thais Portilho-Shrimpton.

Town Hall - Epsom (photography: Colin Taylor)

No Hotel for West Park? New!

Tue 31st Aug 2010

The Developers of the West Park former hospital site have announced that, despite extensive marketing, the requirement in the borough council's agreed planning brief to develop the former Administration Building as an hotel and conference centre has failed to attract any interest from potential operators. Instead they propose an additional 87 housing units, bringing the total proposed for West Park to 456 new homes.

West Park

Nonsuch Park Awareness Day 2010

Fri 27th Aug 2010

Following the success of the first Nonsuch Park Awareness Day in 2009, a repeat event will be held on Sunday 12 September 2010 from 11am to 4pm, offering a free, active and educational day out for dog walkers, cyclists, walkers and visitors of all ages and interests in this beautiful parkland, which lies between London Road, Ewell and Ewell Road, Cheam.

Nonsuch Mansion

Disabled Bays Stay Empty

Wed 25th Aug 2010

Lib Dem councillors in Epsom and Ewell are keeping a close eye on empty Disabled Parking bays in the Town Hall car park, since the council increased provision from 9 up to 20 bays, earlier this month.

Empty disabled parking bays in Epsom (photography: Julie Morris)

"Through a glass darkly"

Sat 21st Aug 2010

The Lib Dem group at County Hall has pressed the Conservative administration to be more open and transparent by publishing more information and by making decisions more openly.

The three unwise Tories

Tories Whinge at Ashtead Residents about Voting RA

Fri 20th Aug 2010

A Tory newsletter issued across part of the Epsom & Ewell parliamentary constituency has told local residents that it's OK for national Lib Dem or Labour supporters to vote for an Independent in a local election, but not for Conservatives to have this choice! The Tories failed to win any of the three Ashtead wards in the local council elections in May (Independent candidates were victorious) which were held at the same time as the General Election, won by Tory MP Chris Grayling.

PPC Jonathan Lees (photography: Julie Morris)

Epsom County Court Closure

Thu 19th Aug 2010

Epsom and Ewell Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) has issued a statement expressing their concern about the impact of the proposed closure of Epsom County Court. The fear is that closure will limit access to justice for residents of Epsom and Ewell. The CAB is also concerned about the adverse effect on the level of homelessness in the borough.

New Epsom Courts

Is Late Night Noise in Epsom Out of Control?

Wed 18th Aug 2010

Tony Axelrod, a resident living in the centre of Epsom, says that late night and early morning noise and disturbance in Epsom town centre is out of control. Though he has been patiently working with the borough council's Environmental Health staff, the Police and looking at the current licensing arrangements, he fears that there are just not sufficient resources put into what has become a real health problem and one which is affecting the quality of life of hundreds of residents.

Epsom Town centre (photography: Julie Morris)

EU proposals to reduce animal testing

Tue 17th Aug 2010

The Agriculture Committee of the European Parliament has approved plans to reduce the number of animals used in scientific experiments. These plans are expected to be endorsed by the European Parliament and the European Council in September.

Sharon Bowles MEP

Break in at Horton Water Tower

Mon 16th Aug 2010

A break in at derelict Horton Water Tower this weekend has caused considerable distress to residents living on the new Livingstone Park estate nearby, who are desperate for owners London & Quadrant Housing Association to either demolish the building or find an acceptable use for it.

Derelict water tower (photography: Julie Morris)

Stones Road disappointment for local pupils

Sat 14th Aug 2010

Following delays caused by the owners of the former Lintons Lane school, the closure of the Stones Road footbridge is now planned to go ahead with effect from next Monday 16th August. Unfortunately the replacement crossing though the underpass or "tunnel" will not be available until some time after the start of the new school year. Regrettably this will affect safe routes to school for pupils at both Epsom Primary School and Blenheim High School.

Stones Road footbridge and subway (photography: Colin Taylor)

Progress report refused

Thu 12th Aug 2010

In July 2009 the County Council's Interim Chief Executive Mr Michael Frater published a highly critical report about the County Council. At that time the Conservative administration said that Mr Frater would be invited to review the Council's progress one year following the publication of his report.

No Hear

Surrey Liberal Democrats Welcome the Pupil Premium

Wed 11th Aug 2010

The Coalition Government has announced a Pupil Premium to target extra money at schools taking disadvantaged pupils. The proposed Pupil Premium would provide additional per pupil funding on top of the existing funding provided to schools. Schools will be free to spend the additional funding as they choose to raise the achievement of disadvantage pupils. This was a key manifesto commitment and one that Nick Clegg made clear was one of his absolute priorities.

County Councillor Diana Smith (Knaphill)

Council Ratifies Climate Change Action Plan

Tue 10th Aug 2010

The borough council has issued a press release on its new Climate Change Action Plan and the document can be found on the council's website www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk.

Dundee LibDems welcome news on climate change

Sharon Bowles MEP slams UKIP and BNP for voting against caps on bankers´ bonuses

Mon 9th Aug 2010

South East Lib Dem MEP Sharon Bowles has slammed both UKIP and the BNP for voting against the tough new laws to introduce caps on top bankers´ cash bonuses, which was overwhelmingly voted through the European Parliament by 625 in favour to 28 against, with 37 abstentions. In effect, UKIP and BNP MEPs voted against the legislation in order to keep the status quo, which has seen huge bonus packages continue to be handed out despite unprecedented government intervention.

Sharon Bowles MEP

MEPs axe illegal timber trade

Fri 6th Aug 2010

MEPs have taken an axe to the illegal logging trade by banning the sale of illegal timber in Europe and setting up strict penalties for those caught doing so. Illegal logging is estimated to represent 20-40% of global industrial wood production, and contributes heavily to carbon emissions and the destruction of biodiversity.

Illegal Timber

Surrey 'World Class'?- Residents still don't think so!

Wed 4th Aug 2010

The Conservative administration at County Hall has stated its ambition for the Council to be World Class but has not provided any definition of this term. However, it is clear that Surrey residents believe that the County Council has room for considerable improvement.

Unhappy face

Appeals Lodged after Planning Permission Refused

Mon 2nd Aug 2010

Two appeals against planning refusal relating to town centre properties have been lodged. The first relates to student accommodation in Temple Road, where a 3-storey extension was refused permission by the Planning Committee.

University students

Council Makes Application to Secretary of State for Allotments

Mon 2nd Aug 2010

The borough council will make an application to the Secretary of State for permission to restore to use the currently abandoned Stones Road allotments and will work with Lower Mole Countryside Management Project, Natural England, Surrey County Council and others to ensure the future of both the Stones Road allotments and Stones Road Pond which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Neglected SSSI site (photography: Julie Morris)

Common Agricultural Policy - MEPs back Lib Dem reform plan

Mon 2nd Aug 2010

The European Parliament has overwhelming supported a Lib Dem blueprint for reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). George Lyon, Lib Dem MEP for Scotland, has drawn up a report with detailed proposals to make the CAP fairer, greener and more sustainable.

Liz Lynne MEP helping out at a farm in Shropshire (photography: Press Officer)

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Quotes of the Week

"How can you possibly take on such a large financial commitment as Trident without considering the military and political implications? If fierce cuts are to be made in Britain's conventional forces, surely we have to consider whether replacing Trident can be justified."

Sir Menzies Campbell

Response to announcement that the Ministry of Defence will be responsible for the cost of replacing Trident - 30 July

"With most of their leadership contenders claiming to back AV for a fairer voting system, it is astonishing they now wish to block the legislation to make that happen. Each and every Labour MP campaigned on a manifesto committing to a referendum. Now they have the opportunity to make this happen but have chosen to say no for opposition's sake."

Simon Hughes MP

Comment on Labour's decision to oppose legislation for a referendum on the alternative vote - 28 July

"With more than half of ASBOs breached in 2008, this was a policy more about posturing than effective policing. Local communities know that other measures, such as Acceptable Behaviour Contracts can nip problems in the bud before they escalate."

Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Committee for Home Affairs and Justice, Tom Brake MP

Commenting on speech by the Home Secretary in which she said it was 'time to move beyond Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) - 28 July

Surrey County Council Liberal Democrats News Stories

"Through a glass darkly"
Wed 18th Aug 2010

EU proposals to reduce animal testing
Mon 16th Aug 2010

Progress report refused
Wed 11th Aug 2010

MEPs axe illegal timber trade
Mon 9th Aug 2010

Common Agricultural Policy - MEPs back Lib Dem reform plan
Wed 4th Aug 2010

More Surrey County Council Liberal Democrats News Stories...

(c) 2010 Surrey County Council Liberal Democrats
Downing Street Says

World Cup Bid

Passports

Dr David Kelly

Welfare

Misc

More Downing Street Says...