Surrey Lib Dems have responded to the county council's local transport plan. "It says all the right things about where Surrey needs to get to in terms of transforming travel and transport for residents and businesses but falls short in setting out the steps for getting there." See full response.

There is still time for members of the public to submit their views on the proposals before the deadline of 24 October.

The Lib Dems have questioned Surrey County Council's process of selecting a new highways maintenance contractor which has resulted in the three final bids coming from companies all with a history of failing Surrey residents.

The Council's Cabinet met yesterday and agreed to award the contract to either Amey, Kier or Ringway. Initially the contract will be for 10 years, but a possible extension could take it to 21 years with a total value of about £2.5bn.

Dear friends, welcome back to our Updates.

We started writing these to keep people updated on COVID matters, in particular local implications, and it has been a while since our last edition back in May. After a summer recharging our batteries, we will now send these Updates monthly and will be concentrating on Borough and County matters. Although COVID is still a huge concern, we don't think we can add much through these letters.

The Lib Dems have called Surrey County Council's draft County Deal for Surrey bid a 'power gr ab'.

The County Council is currently putting together a bid for more powers from central government as part of a County Deal for Surrey. However, there is growing concern that the County Deal bid is a simple power grab to enable the Council to become a unitary authority by the back door.

We want to ensure we understand your key concerns, both locally and nationally. We are also always in need for more help to promote our liberal values, and would welcome new support.

Please complete the survey which is split between:

• Borough issues: With just two Borough councillors out of 36, we have to focus our efforts on areas where we can try and persuade the RA to do things better. Could you please rank the various topics which are under the Borough's control from 1 (most important) to 6 (least important):

The Lib Dems have criticised the Conservative Leader of Surrey County Council for unilaterally writing to the Government asking for a County Deal for Surrey.

On 10th August, Councillor Tim Oliver wrote to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary, Robert Jenrick, formally registering Surrey County Council's interest in more powers from Central Government as part of a County Deal for Surrey.

New Local Plan Puts the Environment and the Next Generation First

Mole Valley District Council published the final stage of the Local Plan on 7 September, prior to its debate in Council on 15 September 2021.

District Councillor, Margaret Cooksey the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Planning said,

"We listened to residents' comments on the previous, draft Local Plan and have revised it, so far as the Government will allow, to produce a Plan that protects what makes our area so beautiful and puts the next generation first."

As many as 12% (*average) of hard-pressed families across Surrey face being left worse off when the government end the uplift to Universal Credit next month.

New data from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation exposes the true nature of how badly some areas will be hit by the £20 Universal Credit cut, which is opposed by Fiona White, Deputy Leader of the Surrey Lib Dem group.