http://www.guildfordlibdems.org/newsarchive.php Recent News Stories from Guildford Liberal Democrats en-GB Guildford Liberal Democrats http://www.guildfordlibdems.org/ Prater Raines Ltd http://www.praterraines.co.uk/ (c) 2010 Guildford Liberal Democrats 2010-03-18T09:54+00:00 United Kingdom http://www.guildfordlibdems.org/news/000231/longest_serving_tory_in_europe_joins_the_liberal_democrats.html The former leader of the Conservative MEPs, Edward McMillan-Scott, the Conservatives' most senior MEP, has joined the Liberal Democrats, it was announced at the Liberal Democrats' Spring Conference in Birmingham. 2010-03-13T08:00+00:00 http://www.guildfordlibdems.org/news/000230/council_decision_on_guildford_house_wrong_in_every_way.html "The decision to move the Tourist Information Centre and the Gallery at Guildford House is wrong financially and wrong on heritage grounds" said Sue Doughty at Guildford Council's Corporate Improvement Scrutiny Committee last night. 2010-03-12T10:37+00:00 http://www.guildfordlibdems.org/news/000229/equitable_life_investors_have_waited_long_enough.html Following a meeting today with Philip Spencer, a local organiser of the Equitable Life Action Group (EMAG), Sue said: 2010-03-09T19:20+00:00 http://www.guildfordlibdems.org/news/000228/surrey_police_plans_for_more_bobbies_on_the_beat.html The Surrey Police Authority is to hold a widespread public consultation on their plans to expand their force by about 200 new constables over the next 3 years, paid for by cutting about 50 senior officers and relocating Police Stations to council offices and supermarkets. About 100 of the new officers would join the neighbourhood police teams of "Bobbies on the Beat". This initiative has been supported by the Lib Dem members of the Surrey Police Authority. 2010-03-08T08:00+00:00 http://www.guildfordlibdems.org/news/000227/the_future_of_guildford_house__lib_dems_callin_council_decision.html At their meeting last Thursday, Guildford Borough Council's Executive decided to investigate alternative uses for Guildford House, and to approve spending £160,000 to refurbish 170 High Street for use as a Tourist Information Centre and Art Gallery. Following strong representations from members of the public who spoke at the meeting, the Executive ruled out the idea of selling the freehold of Guildford House. Liberal Democrat councillors who attended the meeting said that Guildford House was an important part of Guildford's heritage, and said it was vital that the historic building remains accessible to the public. 2010-03-01T16:32+00:00 http://www.guildfordlibdems.org/news/000226/what_a_waste_of_money.html Last year I was canvassing in Working Road, Jacob's Well - probably just under a year ago. 2010-02-28T19:28+00:00 http://www.guildfordlibdems.org/news/000225/widespread_dismay_over_councils_proposal_to_dispose_of_historic_guildford_house_gallery.html There has been wide spread dismay amongst residents as news of the proposed disposal of Guildford House has spread. Liberal Democrat town centre councillors have been contacted by a number of residents and amenity groups to ask what can be done to stop this ill thought through scheme. 2010-02-24T20:11+00:00 http://www.guildfordlibdems.org/news/000224/more_facts_needed_on_royal_surrey_nhs_drug_deals_says_doughty.html Commenting on the news that the Royal Surrey County Hospital has been selling NHS drugs in Europe Sue Doughty said, "There are many questions which need answering about this issue before we can draw a line under it: 2010-02-17T10:09+00:00 http://www.guildfordlibdems.org/news/000223/localism__not_a_good_start.html The new Conservative administration, following David Cameron's lead, has now proudly proclaimed a conversion to "localism" (the devolution of decision making to the lowest level) which is a complete reversal of the policies of the last Conservative government. However the first test of the new approach revealed that not much had changed. 2010-02-15T08:00+00:00 http://www.guildfordlibdems.org/news/000222/grit_bin_fiasco.html Throughout Surrey there was a failure to fill and top-up grit bins during the periods of heavy snow in December and January resulting in many justified complaints from residents. Just how chaotic the situation was has been revealed following questions from County Cllr Stephen Cooksey. 2010-02-13T08:00+00:00 http://www.guildfordlibdems.org/news/000221/lib_dems_oppose_damaging_county_council_budget.html The Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council have voted against the Tory administration's budget for 2010/11 at County Hall. Leader of the Liberal Democrats Cllr Hazel Watson said: "I support the 2.5% level of Council Tax increase proposed for the Council. Many Surrey residents are struggling to pay their bills during the economic downturn and therefore the Council Tax needs to be set as low as possible whilst allowing for adequate funding for services. I oppose, however, the content of the budget proposed by the Conservative administration as it does the opposite of what Surrey residents want." 2010-02-12T08:00+00:00 http://www.guildfordlibdems.org/news/000220/liberal_democrats_announce_education_funding_for_surrey.html The Liberal Democrats have announced a major funding commitment to boost education in Surrey. 2010-02-01T16:06+00:00 http://www.guildfordlibdems.org/news/000219/lib_dem_councillors_raise_concerns_over_burpham_court_farm_proposals.html Liberal Democrat councillors have voiced their deep concern over Guildford Borough Council's proposal to divide up land and buildings at Burpham Court Farm with the view to letting the farm land and outbuildings, and selling off the farmhouse and cottages on the open market. The plans are part of a report to be given at the Council Executive meeting on 28th January at Millmead. 2010-01-28T12:26+00:00 http://www.guildfordlibdems.org/news/000218/council_to_revive_overnight_parking_charges_proposal_for_town_centre_car_parks.html As councillors for a town centre ward with several GBC owned car parks, the Liberal Democrat councillors for Friary & St Nicolas were exasperated to learn that plans for evening charges for town centre car parks were to be revived. The proposal is to charge £1 in all the car parks except Farnham Road, where there is already an overnight charge. The plans are part of an annual report on parking going to the Executive on Thursday 28 January. 2010-01-27T09:54+00:00 http://www.guildfordlibdems.org/news/000216/over_1000_innocent_surrey_people_added_to_national_dna_database_since_european_court_ruling.html More than 100,000 innocent people have been added to the National DNA Database since the European Court of Human Rights ruled in December 2008 that the practice was illegal, research by the Liberal Democrats has revealed. 2010-01-15T17:35+00:00