Last week the Conservative Government voted against extending free school meals for children in need during the holidays, including Angela Richardson, MP for Guildford, Cranleigh and our Villages. This means that during October half term, the Christmas holidays and beyond, there will be many parents struggling to feed their children.
Not only have the Conservative Government taken this action, which has shocked many, but they have also been condemned by many members of the public for their response to the criticism. Just one reaction was that of Paul Scully, who is a Conservative minister, was to say "Children have been going hungry for years".
In Surrey, 9% of children live in poverty, despite one or more of their parents being in work and Surrey Lib Dems argue that free school meals are an essential lifeline for many, especially with the further difficulties faced by all due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Liberal Democrat County group leader, Chris Botten said:
" Suggesting that families need support because their parent(s) spend their money on non-essential items is dangerous and harmful. It is clear the Conservatives are out of touch and hold great contempt for large sections of our communities, this is unacceptable. We cannot allow children to suffer as a result."
"That is why Liberal Democrats across Surrey are calling on the County Council to use their powers to show compassion, take responsibility and step in."
Surrey residents can sign the petition calling for an extension to free school meals in Surrey here: http://bit.ly/PetitionSCCFreeSchoolMeals
Zöe Franklin, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for Guildford, Cranleigh and our villages backed the petition and added:
"This Conservative Government are failing Surrey's Children's and their parents with their vote last week. That is why we are calling on the County Council to step up and fill the gap left by their colleagues in Westminster.
However, there are so many determined to help families at this time. As well as congratulating the brilliant campaigning by Marcus Rashford, we would also like to take this opportunity to thank those businesses and members of the community who have come forward to help ensure as many children as possible have access to free meals during half term."

Dear friends, here is our latest update covering what we hope are interesting developments since our last message on 26 September. It has been a rather chaotic/depressing/you name it period and so there is rather a lot to cram in - as usual we've tried to cover the very local and the wider picture.

Borough news:

At County Council yesterday, Surrey's Leader, Cllr Tim Oliver ensured his group voted against the Lib Dem motion calling for a much-needed reconciliation with the Boroughs and Districts with whom a relationship of trust had completely broken down. In his speech the Lib Dem Leader Cllr Chris Botten outlined how the recent perceived 'power grab' by the county council, by unilaterally pursuing its ambition of a single unitary authority, had severely damaged relations with the eleven borough and district councils of all colours, who had been side-lined by their action.

Surrey County Council has agreed to move its headquarters to the former Cannon HQ in Woodhatch, in spite of objections raised by the cross party group of Councillors responsible for scrutinising the move.

Last year, the County Council stated it wanted to move its HQ from Kingston-Upon-Thames to a location in Surrey. The Council had originally hoped to move to Midas House in Woking, but those plans were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Following a motion by the Lib Dems, Surrey County Council unanimously agreed to introduce 'school streets' in Surrey with the aim of encouraging active travel, improving air quality and promoting road safety.

A school street is where the road outside a school is closed to motor vehicles during school drop-off and pick-up times except for those residents living in that street.

Following a question from the Lib Dems, Surrey County Council has confirmed that the cost of its failed bid to become a unitary authority was just under £250,000.

In anticipation of a Government White Paper on local government devolution, the Conservatives running the County Council decided to pursue plans to become a unitary authority. This power grab would have involved abolishing the Surrey's 11 Borough and District Councils, and centralising power in one unitary authority serving 1.2 million people. However, the Surrey Tories' plans have been stopped by the Government.

Liberal Democrat Councillors on Surrey County Council note and share the public concern regarding the proposed changes to night cover of firefighters.

The Liberal Democrats voted against the Making Surrey Safer proposals and against the budget cuts to the Fire Service. Liberal Democrat Councillors will stand shoulder to shoulder with firefighters to ensure they are able to deliver services which are safe for residents and safe for them.