Colin Taylor – Lib Dem Councillor

A consultation is being launched about the proposed expansion of Stamford Green Primary School.

Surrey County Council (SCC) has been in discussions with the governors for some time and now needs to consult the local community about expanding the school to three form entry from September 2015.

The consultation will run from 20 May to 28 June 2013. A document will be available explaining why further school places are required in the local area and why Stamford Green has been chosen.

SCC will host open meetings at the school on Monday 3 June 2013 from 2.00 to 3.15 pm and 7.00 to 8.15 pm, to give everyone an opportunity to learn more about the proposal, ask questions and express their views.

Traffic and access problems are likely to be major concerns, alongside the possible impact on the ethos of the school.

Despite the construction and subsequent expansion of the nearby Southfield Park Primary School and the provision of additional places at 3 other local schools, for September 2013 a number of children living in the local area have been allocated to schools in Stoneleigh or Ashtead.

Update 11 June:

When the above was posted, it was not yet clear how SCC proposed to provide sufficient primary school places in September 2014. It has since been clarified that St Martins Infants and Juniors will be expanded from September 2014.

Epsom & Ewell Liberal Democrats thank all those who turned out to vote for our candidates on 2 May.

Cllr Stella Lallement

Special thanks go to the voters of Epsom West who have elected Stella Lallement as their county councillor for the next 4 years.

Stella takes over now I have stood down after 12 years in the role. As I followed on from the 8 years served by Mary Dapre, the Lib Dems have had the privilege of representing the West side of Epsom for 20 years, which voters have now been kind enough to extend further.

The East side of Epsom, now known as Epsom Town & Downs, has changed back to Conservative control, following 16 years of RA representation.

The three other seats of Ewell, West Ewell and Ewell Court, Auriol & Cuddington remain under RA control.

The Liberal Democrats remain the main opposition party on Surrey County Council.

As the world rolls forward from 2012 into 2013, the Lib Dem Focus Team councillors who have the privilege of representing Epsom & Ewell residents, wish you all a very happy New Year.

2013 is not going to be an easy one for most people, but whatever happens you can be sure that the Focus Team will be working hard all year round, aiming to make Epsom & Ewell an even better place to live.

The next County Council elections are due on 2 May 2013. When the names of our candidates are announced, we think you will agree they form a first rate team. They all look forward to this opportunity of serving you at County Hall as your elected representatives. We hope that you will vote to give them this honour.

County Councillors and Ashley Centre Management joined to present a £30,000 FibroScan plus a special probe for liver disease on behalf of Epsom Medical Equipment Fund to Dr. Guan Lim, Consultant Physician and Gastroenterologist on behalf of Epsom Hospital.

Diseases of the liver are increasingly common. FibroScan is an innovative, state of art, technological development that allows consultants to examine the damage in a patient’s liver.

The purchase of the £15,000 special probe was made possible in part through money allocated by local County Councillors from our discretionary funds.

Read more »

People are wondering if it matters whether they vote in the police election? It may be important enough to shut schools, but does it really matter?

The Police and Crime Commissioner is an important role. The person elected will have the potential to make a real difference to our lives. But how will people know who to vote for? Won’t they just follow their usual party politics?

Others don’t like the idea of elected Police Commissioners and fear that voting for them will lend them legitimacy.

It is important to vote for sound candidates to avoid handing control of the police to a maverick.

For Surrey, fortunately there is a video showing all 6 candidates at a recent public meeting, with links to individual cameos, available here.

Further information about the Lib Dem candidate Nick O’Shea is available here with a summary here and additional information here.

50% faster than HS2 at half the cost – why haven’t we heard more about this system?

Introducing UK Ultraspeed

5 times faster than rail, 8 times faster than road, faster than short-haul air, with less pollution.

No new runways – existing short-haul slots freed for long-haul air.

British invention, full R&D in Germany, already operating in China.

Why haven’t we heard more about this system?

Charity Bag Collections are not always quite what they seem. A recent check by Surrey Trading Standards found that collectors may get over £1000 per tonne for donated textiles, yet some donate as little as £40 per tonne to charity.

Help the Aged stopped issuing their collection bags 2 years ago, when the charity joined with Age Concern to form Age UK, yet bags with their name on are still being received. Read more »

A government Inspector has dismissed the appeal against refusal of Planning Permission for a Cattery in Copse Edge Avenue, a quiet private residential road near Epsom College.

The application had been opposed by almost all local residents and was refused by Epsom & Ewell’s Planning Committee against officer advice. Read more »

Speaking at hustings organised by the charity Victim Support for Surrey Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) last week, Lib Dem Candidate Nick O’Shea confirmed his support for them and signed-up to their pledge.

“Too often, the system just pays lip service to helping victims and witness,” he said. “But Surrey Victim Support delivers on its promise. I’m really looking forward to working with and supporting them if I get elected as Surrey’s PCC in November – and I’m committed to continuing and extending the scope of their excellent work. Read more »

Following problems at Countryliner, the 479 bus route from Epsom to Guildford via Ashtead, Leatherhead and Bookham is now being operated Monday to Saturday by Sunray Travel.

Sunray are believed to be using Countryliner vehicles and drivers. The Sunday service to Bookham operated by Coaches Excetera is unaffected. Read more »