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Partners Relief & Development UK

Earlier in October, Mark Rowland, an inspirational resident of Farncombe and Chair of Partners Relief and Development UK, invited me to an event he organised at the House of Lords hosted by Lord Alton of Liverpool with guest speaker, Steve Gumaer, President and founder of Partners Relief & Development worldwide. Steve spoke about Partners’ fast expanding and innovative work with children and families in the refugee camps and in conflict affected areas of Myanmar.

Please read more at www.partners.ngo/uk

With Mark Rowland under a Michael Heseltine painting in the Attlee Room

It’s fair to say that the crisis that has unfolded in western Myanmar since August 2017 is overwhelming. With over 600,000 Rohingya forced to flee brutal attacks on their villages by the Myanmar Army and local vigilantes, this massive displacement of people in such a short space of time has created the world’s fastest growing humanitarian crisis.

These words are from a young father and businessman who just arrived in Bangladesh with his family.  “Yesterday, I was a successful businessman. Today, I have to beg to feed my family. Last week, I was concerned about my employees showing up on time and having enough stock on hand to keep my customers satisfied. Today, I have no idea how I will care for my family. My family and I have fled from Myanmar to Bangladesh. We just arrived with only what we could carry.“

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Petitioning Sainsbury’s on behalf of the Fairtrade Foundation

Godalming is a Fairtrade Town.
Sadly Sainsbury‘s has started to sell its own brand tea under a new “Fairly Traded” label which has sparked a backlash from the well-established Fairtrade Foundation.
So, Mary, Jo, David, Edouard and I delivered letters and petitions on behalf of the local Fairtrade  group to the Godalming store requesting a change of heart.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/sainsburys-fairly-traded-tea-own-brand-fairtrade-foundation-farmers-producers-a7753561.html

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What is happening to the Boarden Bridge?

Residents of Godalming have contacted me to ask what is happening to the Boarden Bridge, the closed wooden footbridge over the River Wey near the parish church of St Peter and St Paul.
This is a time when County Council funds are being heavily cut and at times it has seemed that to restore this bridge would be impossible. However, I am pleased to report that, by working with the Surrey Countryside Team and with Godalming Town Council, we are closer to the time when this historic footbridge will be restored and, once again, open for townspeople to enjoy.
Details are being finalised and I hope soon to be able to publicise when restoration works will start.

Boarden bridge now
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OPPOSITION COUNCILLORS REVEAL SURREY’S SECRET BILLION POUND PROPERTY PLAN

October 5th, 2017
Opposition county councillors can today reveal that Surrey Coy Council is in the process of planning housing and development across dozens of sites in a secret deal that could be worth over £1bn with a private sector partner.
The County Council is in the process of tendering a contract for a “Joint Property Joint Venture Partner”, which is described as “a unique opportunity to offer development delivery and service expertise across a raft of property development projects”. The project would see Surrey County Council, along with a large number of public sector partners, releasing land and vacant sites currently owned by the County Council and others into the Joint Vehicle. The value of the project is estimated to be between £250m and £1.5bn, over a 15 year period with 32 sites currently identified but with potentially 100 more under consideration. The procurement document goes on to state that “The Council aims to secure delivery expertise, and bring capacity and pace to a development programme that ensures optimal performance and returns from investment activities”.
The County Council has refused to reveal information about potential sites but using Freedom of Information Act legislation, opposition councillors can today reveal where half of the planned sites are located. These include sites in Epsom, West Molesey, Banstead, Leatherhead, Tongham, Warlingham, Caterham, Redhill, Reigate, Staines, Shepperton and Oxted.
Cllr Watson and Cllr Essex have today written to the Leader of Surrey County Council, urging to share more information on these proposals with all county councillors.
Councillor Hazel Watson, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council said today:
“Whilst it is good news that the County Council is finally looking at how to better utilise properties that have in some cases been empty for over a decade, the details of this project remain hidden from county councillors and local residents. We have no idea as to the details of how much a potential private sector partner would be looking to make in profit and what the margins are or rate of return for the county council. There is no information as to what kind of housing will be provided, tenure and whether it meets the needs of local residents. These plans deserve the highest level of scrutiny and public engagement, which is the exact opposite of the Conservative administration’s approach so far to its management of its own assets and the culture of secrecy which is prevalent at County Hall. I am calling for the release of the full list of potential development sites so that councillors and residents can play their part in scrutinising these highly complex and secretive proposals.”
Councillor Jonathan Essex, Green County Councillor, said:
“The County Council should be managing its land and assets in the best interest of residents. I am deeply concerned that there is no mention of affordability so far in terms of housing or whether there is an environmental framework that the Joint Vehicle will be adhering to in terms of ensuring that any future development is sustainable. In Haringey and Southwark, we have seen similar development vehicles come under intense criticism after public scrutiny has revealed the flaws within the small print of these highly complex contractual arrangements. It is incredibly disappointing that the Conservatives at County Hall have so far not released this information willingly as they should be prepared to answer all and any questions on a deal of this size. I am calling for the County Council to engage with its own residents and present the full financial picture so that well-informed scrutiny can take place regarding this hugely important matter.”
NOTES
– A link to the procurement notice can be found here:
– A link to Cllr Watson’s and Cllr Essex’s Cabinet questions and replies can be found here (p9-11):
– More details on Joint Vehicle projects in Haringey and Southwark can be found in these articles:
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Manchester. October 1st. #StopBrexit

On the first day of the Conservative Conference in Manchester, many thousands travelled from all over the UK to show their support for remaining in the EU.

In Vince Cable’s words, “A healthy exercise in democracy to participate in a peaceful, dignified protest on the big issue of the day by marching”.

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Lib Dems tell Council – Stop risking money on commercial properties and stop wasting money on empty council buildings

October 2, 2017 4:25 PM

Cllr Hazel WatsonLiberal Democrats on Surrey County Council are calling on the Conservative administration at County Hall to stop further investment in commercial property outside of Surrey and instead to prioritise County Council owned vacant buildings either to be used to provide services or to be sold or let.

Cllr Hazel Watson, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council, said today:

“The County Council has invested in a large property portfolio outside of Surrey despite its clear inability to properly utilise its own buildings within Surrey.

“The Conservative administration at County Hall has invested £199m in commercial properties outside of Surrey which is 77.1% of its investment portfolio. This is a huge amount of money and a huge proportion of funding which will not improve services and will not increase economic growth in Surrey. These investments in warehouses, office buildings, a cinema and retail premises across the country in places such as Wiltshire, Salford and Macclesfield are putting public money at risk. The risk is that the costs of maintenance, professional advisers, rates and other costs of these properties will exceed the rent received, such as if the tenant leaves and if the building becomes outdated. It is not uncommon for office buildings to be vacant as they become outdated and retail premises are becoming increasingly risky investments given the trend for shopping online.

“These risks are likely to increase as the Conservative administration’s stated intention is to invest up to £1bn by 2021 with a maximum return of only 2%. This low rate of return gives very little room for manoeuvre if problems arise, costs increase and therefore the risk of making a loss increases.

“Whilst amassing a large property portfolio outside of Surrey, the County Council owns a significant number of vacant buildings, some of which have been vacant for years such as the former Adult Education Centre in Dene Street, Dorking and the Pond Meadow school site in Guildford. This is a waste of money as these assets are unutilised, deteriorating, and thus losing value whilst they make a loss as they incur costs such as rates, maintenance and security.

“Details of the Conservative administration’s commercial property investments and its own vacant properties are shrouded in secrecy. I have been forced to submit formal questions to obtain basic information about the County Councils publicly funded commercial properties and Freedom of Information Act requests about the County Council’s own vacant properties. It is clearly a source of embarrassment to the Conservative administration to make this information readily available to the public.

“The Conservatives at County Hall needs to get their priorities right. It is unacceptable and risky to invest huge sums of money in properties outside Surrey whilst leaving its own buildings vacant, deteriorating, losing value and losing money. The County Council is not a property company and its primary role is to provide services to Surrey residents. The message is for the County Council to stop risking public money on commercial properties outside Surrey and to stop wasting money on empty council buildings.”

NOTES

Images of 3 empty County Council buildings can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/146827888@N06/albums/72157689031845846/with/36782710253/

A link to Cllr Watson’s Cabinet question on empty properties can be found here (page 9):

https://mycouncil.surreycc.gov.uk/documents/g5110/Decisions%20Tuesday%2026-Sep-2017%2014.00%20Cabinet.pdf?T=2 

A link to Cllr Watson’s Cabinet question on commercial property can be found here (page 10):

https://mycouncil.surreycc.gov.uk/documents/g4591/Decisions%20Tuesday%2020-Sep-2016%2014.00%20Cabinet.pdf?T=2 

A link to the Council Motion to be discussed on Tuesday 10th October can be found here under item 8(i):

https://mycouncil.surreycc.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=121&MId=5099&Ver=4 

A link to the amount of commercial property outside of Surrey can be found here:

http://scc.lib.dm/d1Pn

The Annual Report of the Investment Board can be found here:

https://mycouncil.surreycc.gov.uk/documents/s38542/item%2012%20-%20Annex%201%20Investment%20Board%20Annual%20Report.pdf 

A copy of Cllr Watson’s Freedom of Information request on empty properties can be found here:

http://scc.lib.dm/d3Pn 

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Disappointment as Tory cuts hit Community Recycling Centres across Surrey

(The opening times of the Witley site, one of five “strategic” sites, is not affected)

September 27, 2017 10:52 AM

Surrey tips

Liberal Democrat county councillors in Surrey have expressed their disappointment following a decision today by the Conservative Cabinet to slash the opening hours of Community Recycling Centres across the county and increase charges for residents.

The decision will see Community Recycling Centres close for an extra 20 days a week, as well as an end to the free daily allowance. The Cabinet decision follows a petition handed in by Liberal Democrat campaigners of 3,245 signatures, plus an enormous response to the county council’s own consultation of 13,637 people.

Cllr Stephen Cooksey, Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson, said:

“I addressed the Conservative Cabinet today, in order to object to these ill thought out proposals and to hold the Conservatives to account for their decisions. I recognise the difficult financial position that central government has imposed on the County Council but just 3 months ago, in June, the Cabinet were out campaigning for that government’s return and must therefore carry equal responsibility for the refusal of that government to ensure adequate funding for this Council to maintain services to its residents.

“CRC’S were a success story – they provided residents with a helpful and convenient method of disposing of waste; they helped Councils to improve their waste collections; they made a major contribution to improving our environment and they were a significant deterrent to fly tipping.

“I believe, as do the majority of my residents, that the remaining package including the increased charges and closure days are self-defeating and unacceptable and am fearful that the reduced waste collections will lead to damage to the environment and increased fly tipping. Surrey residents deserve so much better than this.”

NOTES

– The Cabinet decision can be found here:

https://mycouncil.surreycc.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=5110&x=1

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Save the Surrey Performing Arts Library!

Save the Surrey Performing Arts Library which is under threat of closure by Surrey County Council.

The Library, which is currently based near Dorking at Denbies Wine Estate, houses a truly unique collection of music, theatre, orchestral and dance materials available for public loan. Surrey residents have been given just two weeks to respond to the County Council’s online consultation.

The Liberal Democrats have launched a petition to save the Surrey Performing Arts Library:

http://scc.lib.dm/P22S

“We value the unique service provided by Surrey’s Performing Arts Library and call upon Surrey County Council to retain the service, with staff, on one site and in its current format for the benefit of all Surrey residents”.

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Congratulations to Claire Marshall

Congratulations to Claire Marshall for being awarded the:
Neighbour Award (Eagle Radio’s Local Heroes 2017)
It was Claire Marshall who won this award for all the hard work and effort she has pumped into her local community in Farncombe.
She set up an action group to combat anti-social behaviour on the Northbourne Estate, as well as numerous local events, family days and community clean ups.
On top of this, she also runs a weekly youth club and volunteers with the GoGodalming youth canoe club.
https://youtu.be/7WOCQnZ8d0Q