In an impressive display of ‘Group unity’ RA Councillors voted unanimously on Tuesday evening to follow their party line and back the imposition of parking charges on disabled people in all council-run car parks, even if they qualify for a ‘Blue Badge’.

Liberal Democrat opposition councillors were joined by both Conservative and Labour colleagues in calling for the proposal to be referred back to a committee for reconsideration.

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Despite the cold weather, shoppers readily stopped to sign the “Blue Badge - Think Again” petition sponsored by the Liberal Democrats in Epsom High Street on Saturday.

“I think it’s disgusting what the RA councillors are doing!” was a typical comment from many of those who took a leaflet and then signed to show their agreement. “I read about it in the paper - what do they want to do that for? I suppose it’s all about saving money!”

“Streams of people stopped to sign” said Cllr Anna Jones. Signatories included prominent members of Residents Associations - even an RA Councillor stopped and asked for a leaflet.

The RA councillors are clearly out of touch with public opinion on this.

Horton Chapel was saved from demolition during the building of the Livingstone Park estate with the intention that it should be used for the benefit of the local community. However for several years nothing happened. Then five years ago a meeting was held at which residents were consulted about its future, but at the time no-one yet lived on this new estate.

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It seems that borough and county councillor Nigel Petrie recently failed to be re-selected as an RA candidate for next June’s county council elections. At least this is being stated by Stoneleigh RA chairman Bill Slaughter as the reason behind Cllr Petrie’s sudden surprise announcement that he has joined the Conservative party.

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Despite constructive proposals from the Lib Dem opposition for a smaller rise, the RA-led borough council have set an above-inflation increase in Council Tax of 3.9%. Taken with the 2.9% increase for Surrey County Council and 4.9% for the Surrey police, this will lead to an overall increase of 3.3% in Council Tax bills in the borough.

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Although the Council’s target for new affordable homes completed in 2008/2009 is expected to be met, the number of new starts expected on site has fallen alarmingly.

At a recent Council meeting, it was confirmed that the number of new affordable homes expected to be completed in Epsom & Ewell in 2008/2009 is 93, including 65 social rented homes. However the number of new affordable homes where work on site is anticipated to start in 2008/2009 is expected to fall to just 16, compared to an earlier forecast of 200.

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At a recent Council meeting, Cllr Alison Kelly asked for confirmation of the Council’s position in relation to the licensing of lap-dancing establishments, without prejudice to the Council’s duty and obligation to consider any current application according to current rules.

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There’s good news for the 160 people on waiting lists for allotments in that the Council can go ahead and create new plots for use next year.

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With pledges from businesses and other organisations of £10,000 towards Christmas lights for Epsom Town Centre, Residents’ Party councillors refused to “match” this level of funding as they had originally agreed.

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Work on finding a user for Horton Chapel has been held up yet again. The borough council’s legal staff had to be diverted to deal with two problems created by the county council. First the county council withdrew support for the Children’s Centre and Day Nursery in Hollymoor Lane. Then the county council delayed a decision on the future of the Mansion in Nonsuch Park for over 15 months, resulting in a lot of extra work. It is now hoped that the borough council will be able to invite tenders from interested parties later this year.

Tuesday night was ‘Mayor Making’. Cllr Alan Winkworth succeeded to the role and looked the part in his red robe. Good luck to him. Lots of speeches and bouquets - then all the RA and Conservative councillors plus the Mayor’s guests were off for drinks and food at public expense, whilst as ever the Lib Dems left them to it and went off for drinks and food at our own expense.