The Waverley Web fully accepts that some will not want to listen to this long debate by ‘Your Waverley’s Executive on the vital subject of the first reorganisation of Local Government for 50 Years.
However, we suggest you do so, as the future of local government is at stake. Decisions now will affect you, your children, and possibly your children’s children. Local, accountable democracy is at stake here.
Space prevents us from including your elected councillor’s comments.
The decisions made over the coming months will enormously impact how our local parish, town and borough councils operate on our behalf for many years.
Today, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet will decide on leader Tim Oliver’s proposal to cancel the May elections. Note: Not the 81 elected members from every corner of the county, but just the chosen few. Alfold Tory SCC Cllr Kevin Deanus (pictured below) will be among those few.
Shall we bombard Mr Deanus with our views? If the Cabinet asks the government to consent to cancel the May SCC election, it will potentially act ultra vires!
So a failing current administration, up to its ears in debt, failing SEN children. Our roads and older people’s social care could effectively be the kingmakers of how Surrey is divided up – or, if Cllr Oliver succeeds, it becomes a behemoth Unitary Authority. There is no doubt with him at the helm.
Last night, ‘Your Waverley’s Executive of Liberal Democrats, Greens, Labour, and Farnham Residents voted collectively to oppose the postponement or cancellation of the May elections. It confirmed its decision to work with SCC and the 11 other districts and boroughs to comply with the Government’s plans for unitary authorities after proper consultation with Surrey residents and stakeholders – including the NHS.
Tory Group Leader Cllr Jane Austin did not support this position. She has repeatedly resisted Waverley’s collaboration with Guildford Borough Council. Cllr Austin, who joined at the last election and took over the role of group leader within weeks of ousting the previous leader, subsequently she wanted to resign to become MP Jeremy Hunt’s agent and stand for a seat in Liverpool. She has made no secret that she is at Waverley as a stepping stone to the Government.
Waverley Leader Paul Follows supported re-organisation, saying.
It was a fantastic opportunity. But no authority should be set up to fail. A solution should not be bulldozed through.
He said the debt among Surrey authorities was about £5 billion; it could be much more. But he warned that he would not tolerate the indebtedness of other councils being solved by the sale of Waverley’s assets.
Do we and the other 11 borough and district councils support the concept of reorganisation of local Government?
Yes, we absolutely do.
Can this process go ahead despite elections taking place? The government confirmed to us twice today that it could happen, and Surrey is aware of this. It can also occur through a change of administration. A new one can take over the responsibilities of the old one. You cannot cancel elections because it is more expedient for those involved.to do so!
Cllr Follows reminded everyone that it was business as usual, and the day job had to continue at Waverley and Guildford Councils. However, everyone should be mindful of staff uncertainty, particularly regarding future recruitment.
At the end of the debate, the Cabinet, by majority, supported the submission of two letters presented to them at the start of the meeting urging the Government and Surrey County Council NOT to cancel the May elections.
The last reorganisation of local government was 50 years ago.
To be continued...
Local issues should be handled by local representatives. Democracy and devolution must go hand in hand.
We have seen this in action and in active prevention on a national scale time and time again. Will we ever learn from our mistakes?
Just look at the exemplary education and healthcare in Scotland and Wales, compared to the underfunded, chaotic, and decrepit systems in England.
Similar reorganisations took place across the National Church Institutions when they created the concept of the ‘Benefice’, amalgamating parishes, and reducing headcount of stipends for incumbent vicars … all driven by money, not outcomes or effectivity … How did that turn out?
Ask the parishioners of The United Benefice of Bourne and Tilford.
Local issues require the lived experiences of the local residents. The residents of Alfold watching the vibration rings in their morning cup of tea, as yet another 38 tonne grab lorry takes an illegal shortcut at 20-30% above the speed limit, 45 feet from their house, with zero comprehension or empathy from the SCC beaurocrats 45 miles away, in TRUE ‘nimby’ response, will never align, and will never be passionately, emotionally and effectively involved in the resolutions. Because it just does not affect them, it’s just a tick box paper exercise removed from all reality.
A behemoth of a unitary-multi-beneficed-local-authority, will not be local. It will just be Authority! No involvement. No engagement. No challenging foolish decision making. No fair distribution of money, power, or services. The loudest voices will win and inclusivity will be shot at dawn.
Or, to paraphrase my good friend Eric Cartman, ‘you WILL respect Mah Authority!!!
Fully support Waverley in opposing SCC Tim Oliver from cancelling the May elections. Him and others in the SCC cabinet want to cancel the elections because they are frightened of being booted out by the residents. Any change in reorganisation of Local Government MUST be to the benefit of ALL local residents. Waverley Residents must not lose out either through asset stripping or through increased taxes to bail out the failing Surrey County Council and other Borough & District councils
Democracy?
Cancelling Local Elections is the death blow to Local Democracy. In Waverely we are one of the most Rural Boroughs in Surrey and those Boroughs closer to London have no concept of the problems faced here. We don’t always have to agree with everything thing that WBC say or do, but at least they have some idea of how the residents feel and what is important to them. Not because they are Nimbys – But because we have our very own issues that affect the day to day lives of the residents – which is simply not appreciated by many at Surrey HQ!
You only have to look at Surrey’s Infrastructure Plans from 2020 to realise they do not even seem to think Waverley exists; most of their plans are concentrated around the Boroughs/Districts closest to London in the North of the County.
ONE SIZE does NOT FIT ALL… and Cllr Tim Oliver is not the man to lead any of us…
I fear the biggest issue is that the Current Government has no interest in anything other than their own agenda and trying to hang onto their own seats will prove challenging enough… I am sure they would love to see Cllr Olivier bring DOWN the whole of Surrey