Category: Surrey County Council

All those small acts of kindness – could make Covid-19 a life changer.

All over the country, if you added up all the small acts of kindness being played out on a daily basis it would add up to Tsunami.

Neighbours speaking to neighbours they have lived near to for years, but to whom they have never actually spoken. Telephone calls to long, almost forgotten friends and relatives, given the oxygen of contact after many years.  Facetime, Skype, Houseparty and Zoom are bringing people together all over the world.
People are now regularly partying on-line, holding dinner parties in their own homes, without the gas-guzzling travel or the need for a named driver. Vegetable growing has become the new must-do hobby, and baking is going through a revolution as you can see from the delightful Facebook message we have included below.  To all the Camilla Sophy’s, whoever and wherever you are – little things really do mean a lot. When this vicious epidemic is over let’s start a different epidemic – a Tsunami 2020  –  of caring and kindness?

The other day an elderly lady from across the road knocked to say how lovely the rainbows were in our windows. Later that day we left her a banana loaf and a note with my number in case she needed anything. This morning she rang me as she was lonely as her dog had to be put to sleep on Friday 😢 We had never spoken before lockdown even though we can see each other from our houses, and yet she rang me for someone to chat to. I feel so happy that she did that and I could help her today in some small way. I’m not posting this for praise or any of that, just to show the small things we can do in this time and you just don’t know how it could help someone. Be kind ❤️

Will Godalming Tories’ wish be granted?

The Tory election machine has gone into overdrive in a bid to oust the single opposition voice that Godalming people have taken to their hearts and minds.

But as you will see from the picture below the Tories have more than Cllr Paul Follows to worry about. He has been joined by other local hopefuls wearing the Liberal Democrat yellow rosette, seeking seats in the town and borough councils.

One of the local issues they have highlighted is the proposed loss of the Godalming Surestart Children’s Centre axed recently by Surrey County Council.

As Nelson Mandela said:

“History will judge us by the difference we make to the everyday lives of children.”

Screen Shot 2019-04-08 at 21.24.17.png

 

The group above recently met with Dawn Bellman and her ‘Surestart’ team and was very impressed by their commitment and support to the community.

Sure Start Children’s Centres give help and advice on child and family health, parenting, money, training and employment.

They are a “one-stop shop” offering their own services as well as signposting to other professional or services, eg. Family Information Service, Food Banks, Job Centre Plus and The Citizens Advice Bureau.

Each Centre is required to offer core services to all families from pregnancy right through those important early years until the child is at school, directly reflecting the needs of the local community.

In January, Surrey County Council announced plans to close 31 children’s centres across the county, but at the 11th hour postponed closing recycling centres until after the elections! A cynical attempt to dupe residents into believing they were safe.

The 100 % Tory controlled Cabinet voted to close the centres along with reductions to some bus travel concessions citing the need to save money due to government cuts.

However, it managed to find over £50m to fund 28 new shops in the Brightwells Yard development in Farnham. A scheme shunned by private investors. 

In a public consultation, 86% of respondents disagreed that children’s centres were an appropriate way to make savings.

It is still unclear to staff, families and the public what will happen. The group pictured above are demanding answers. 

Here at the WW – we await any communication from the Godalming’s Tory hopefuls.

Are you aware of the proposed Surrey cuts? The weight of public opinion should count?

Have you been to Surrey County Council’s drop-in consultations to find out exactly what its proposed cuts will mean for the future of our essential services?

Councillors Paul Follows and his county council colleague Councillor Penny Rivers were there – and are fuming.

Where were all the Tory Tossers? – Out ordering the turkey? Writing their Christmas Cards or wrapping presents? Watching the debacle that was unfolding at Westminster? Because they certainly weren’t to be seen at an event staged by the  County Council to explain how they intend to save shedloads of money by closing our recycling centres in Farnham & Cranleigh, close children’s centres, libraries etc…!

Of course, the elephant at Waverley Towers is the fact there was no mention of the £50 odd million (SCC) has invested in Brightwell’s Yard. The county council and borough’s widely criticised partnership to build  28 new retail and restaurant units + homes in Farnham’s East Street.  Did they mention their years of financial mismanagement of one of the wealthiest counties in the country?

Listen to what Councillor Paul Follows has to say.  A  councillor who has been in post for less than a year, learning on the job, listens to the public and becomes more disillusioned every day that goes by.

Thank you on behalf of the people of Waverley Councillor Follows for telling us how angry and concerned you are – and we will ensure we make both ours, and your views, known.

Here at the Waverkey Web he’s a  man after our own hearts.  But, you know what?  In next Mays elections the Tories will do their damndest to kick him out?

 

 

Surrey’s Fly Tipping Horror

SurreyCountyCouncilOffices
Here’s what County Hall could look like in the future?


Just as residents reel from Surrey County Council’s shock announcement that it wants to close Recycling Centres around the county including  Cranleigh & Farnham – here’s a clip on what reduced recycling already looks like in the county:

The Council is “consulting” on permanently closing between four and six CRC’s.  Farnham is on the list – so is Cranleigh; Bagshot; Dorking; Lyne (Chertsey) and Warlingham. 

Residents in Farnham are foaming at the mouth saying they will be forced to travel to Witley or over the border into Hampshire. Cranleigh people are already travelling into Horsham across the West Sussex County boundary as their site is only open at weekends and is causing traffic chaos in Elmbridge Road.

 

Screen Shot 2018-10-31 at 20.43.40.png

Screen Shot 2018-10-31 at 20.43.31.pngScreen Shot 2018-10-31 at 20.43.17.png

Screen Shot 2018-10-31 at 20.43.06.png

Cranleigh people are arguing their County Councillors to step up to the Mark. By the way, has anyone seen their Little Povey?mylittlepovey2 

 

 

Screen Shot 2018-10-31 at 20.38.38.png

Screen Shot 2018-10-31 at 20.38.19.pngScreen Shot 2018-10-31 at 20.38.47.png

 

Put your teeth in Mr Hodge!

 

Any politician who starts a diatribe with … “I’ve always been clear” is a guarantee that what he is about to say is anything but… and resembles MUD!

Here’s David ‘Autocue’ Hodge reading a statement about the launch of Surrey County Council’s new vision – it’s only a draft vision he hastens to add – because what he really wants is YOUR VISION! What should Surrey look like by 2030?
Well, you know what to do then – read about it here and complete the survey here.