In an unprecedented move, leaders of all four political groups on Epsom & Ewell Borough Council have jointly written demanding that Government cash is delivered as promised. In response to Local Government Minister Nick Raynesford's announcement that all 'shire' Districts would receive 3% extra grant to help with next year's budget, councillors united to write asking for this to be delivered.
Epsom & Ewell's RA led Council rejected a motion proposed by the Lib Dems that a letter should be sent to the deputy prime minister John Prescott in support of replacing Council Tax with a system based upon ability to pay.
Epsom and Ewell RA councillors continued to reject a Lib Dem plan to allow questions from local residents at meetings of the Borough Council. This is despite the success of "public question time" at Surrey County Council's Local Committee.
The nation-wide 'Axe the Tax' campaign reached Epsom High Street last Saturday 18th October. People queued up to sign, as the Lib Dem FOCUS team collected hundreds of signatures against the Council Tax from shoppers.
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".
