Epsom & Ewell Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Jonathan Lees has discovered that there are likely to be in the region of over 870 households in Epsom & Ewell eligible for the new Pension Credit but not receiving it. Pension Credit is an entitlement for people living in Great Britain aged 60 or over. It should guarantee everyone an income of at least £105.45 for single pensioners and £160.95 a week for pensioner couples.
What does our MP spend his time doing, is it focusing on the concerns of Epsom & Ewell? Recently Epsom & Ewell's Tory MP Chris Grayling raised questions about why the Prime Minister and his family used an RAF plane, also used by the Royal Family. This led to the Conservatives being accused of hypocrisy.
Epsom & Ewell's Conservative MP Chris Grayling is under fire from the Liberal Democrats for opposing important measures to help councils protect the local environment. The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill will grant tough new powers to tackle litter bugs, fly-tippers, fly-posters and other types of antisocial and criminal behaviour that damage the environment. However Conservative MPs including Mr Grayling voted to reject this important Bill
A Government scheme, launched almost six years ago, to increase safety at railway stations isn't working in many areas across Britain, the Liberal Democrats have revealed. Train companies are failing to get their stations accredited as 'safe stations' and some stations are even losing their status. Only 2 out of the 161 Southern Train Company stations meet the standard - and Epsom isn't one of them!
The NHS consultation "Better Healthcare Closer to Home" has now finished. Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Epsom & Ewell, Councillor Jonathan Lees says "The next big date is 25th January when we will find out which site has been chosen for the new critical care centre. This could be in Epsom or in Sutton. The Liberal Democrats in Epsom & Ewell, as LOCAL people who live in this community, are determined that nothing happens to take away our local hospital from Epsom."
At December's meeting of the Borough Council, Cllr Jonathan Lees was heavily criticised by the leaders of the RA Party for "daring" to suggest that the public should be allowed to ask questions at the start of meetings. Cllr Lees said later, "We obviously touched a raw nerve tonight!"
In December 2001, Surrey County Council's Planning and Regulatory Committee met to decide on three of the most controversial Planning Applications for many years - the 3 so-called "Energy from Waste" Incinerators in Redhill, Guildford and Capel, south of Dorking. The large attendance by the public was catered for by a video link to the sports hall.
Despite strong opposition from the Liberal Democrat group, the Conservative majority on Surrey County Council has forced through a sell off of Surrey school support services to warship makers Vosper Thornycroft.
The Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council have successfully forced the Conservative administration to reconsider their decision to cut bus services from September, even though they refused to debate a Lib Dem motion before the summer holidays.
The Conservative Executive of Surrey County Council have decided to withdraw large numbers of evening and weekend bus services right across Surrey with effect from September 2003. This was agreed at their meeting on the 10th of June.
Surrey County Council has increased its share of council tax for 2003-2004 by 17.9%. Cllr. Janet Maines, Lib Dem group leader said: "This Tory-run County Council has got to move away from crisis management, with its ever spiralling costs, by investing in preventative measures that are good value for money and that better meet the needs of Surrey residents".