At the Cabinet meeting of Surrey County Council on 23 Feb a decision on the future use of what used to be the Adult Education Centre in Dene Street, Dorking has finally been made - again!

The building is one of a number of vacant properties belonging to the County Council that have been left empty and unused for over 10 years. Over that period there have been a number of suggestions as to how it could be put to use, including as a community facility, but all proposals were rejected by the Council. Just three years ago planning permission was granted for it to be converted into flats, but this project was also abandoned.

Dear friend

Online talk by Brendan Donnelly (former MEP and Director of the Federal Trust) on
"The Cheshire Cat Brexit Deal" on Thursday 4th March at 7.15 for 7.30pm.

Is there more to the Deal than just a lingering smirk? Are some people stuck in Wonderland? Brexit was a project based on fanaticism. In future years a new electoral system and a more decentralised form of local and national government could establish a UK much more likely to be a stable partner within the EU.

Join North East Surrey for Europe for an interesting evening.

Dear friends, welcome to our latest Update. This differs from our last one of 5 February as it concentrates on the Borough Council's budget passed at full Council on Tuesday 16 February, and how this impacts your overall Council Tax for 2021/22.

Our "useful COVID links" are still at the bottom of this Update, but we have included fewer other COVID-related news. However the gridlock up at the Downs this evening, apparently caused by a hoax Social Media post about vaccinations being available, shows the need to be sensible and use the reliable sources below rather than rumour.

Lib Dems at Surrey County Council set out its proposal for a £26m (over 5 years) Road Safety Fund last week. Led by Group Leader Chris Botten, Lib Dem councillors had put together the alternative budget plan in response to the growing number of requests from the public to their Local or Joint Committees, for improvements to junctions, reductions in speed limits or the introduction of other road safety measures. These together with other outstanding local highway schemes amount to around £50m.

An electoral review takes place every so often to make sure that electoral equality is achieved and Councillors represent roughly the same number of electors. The last review of Epsom & Ewell was over 20 years ago. The Borough Council makes recommendations based on criteria set by the Boundary Commission, and then embarks upon a public consultation after which there can be changes before final approval by the Commission. Numbers of electors in each ward or area have to include current occupancy plus estimates some five years forward. So the final numbers include things like known development, land availability and housing targets. The number of wards can change, as can the number of councillors which represent them. Ward boundaries themselves might need to be adjusted and the names of them can change. The process has just begun in Epsom & Ewell but it will be a couple of years before any changes actually happen.

Cllr Paul Kennedy, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner, has criticized the decision of Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner David Munro to press ahead with a 5.5% increase in his council tax precept, ignoring the concerns of the Surrey Police and Crime Panel and the public.

https://youtu.be/CYS5rB2-Y-c

https://www.munira.org.uk/news/munira-urges-govt-to-tackle-young-peoples-mental-health-crisis/

https://www.munira.org.uk/news/munira-commits-to-being-a-voice-in-parliament-for-local-young-peoples-mental-health-concerns/?fbclid=IwAR3k165hRzM6QgwLpxtWOw90Wn5vjEbr3uLNmVbRqxc9pB4h82g1rx6EcG4

Welcome to our latest Update covering the period since our last one on 22 January. Our "useful COVID links" are at the bottom of this Update, with some interesting other non-COVID news as follows:

Local news:

• The Council meeting to set the Budget and Council Tax for 2021/22 will be on 16 February. The twin impact of COVID and government policy limits the options facing the Borough but Julie and David will be doing their best to protect key services.
• In recent Committee meetings where different aspects of the Budget were discussed, Julie and David raised concerns where it seemed that insufficient attempts were being made to address the Climate Crisis and to work more effectively with our neighbours.
• Local residents around The Wells are continuing their campaign to retain The Wells Centre as a community-run social centre (the Council wants to knock the building down and build flats). The campaigners have launched a new website here where you can follow the debate and take part in their survey.
• David and Julie have been successful in getting funds for two projects - improving the surface of Rifle Butts Lane and installing CCTV in Alexandra Park. Funding comes from the "Community Infrastructure Levy" and can't be used for delivering day-to-day services.
• A new planning application has been posted for converting the Epsom Lodge care home at the Burgh Heath Road/Downs Road/Church Street roundabout into a block of flats. Details are here (planning reference 21/00031/FUL if the link doesn't work) and you can post your thoughts on the portal.

The Lib Dems on Surrey County Council are proposing an amendment to the Council's budget to invest in tackling road safety problems across the county.

Recognising that there is huge frustration in communities about the difficulties in getting road safety schemes funded in a timely manner, the Lib Dems are proposing a Road Safety Fund to ensure that local communities can get the speed signs, crossings or other safety measures which many residents call for. Where there is local support, 20 mph zones, could also be introduced using this potential Road Safety Fund.