Lib Dems achieve restrictions on high cost staff
Lib Dems achieve restrictions on high cost staff
WF
25 Mar 2019
News
Local News
Surrey's continued use of High Cost interim staff
Lib Dems deplore Surrey's continued use of high cost interim staff Surrey County Council is advertising yet again for temporary staff with salaries in excess of £90,000. The latest job is for a Programme Manager to oversee the move from County Hall. Will Forster, Lib Dem County Councillor for Woking South, said: "My Lib Dem colleagues and I think the use of temporary staff runs the risk that if they fail to deliver long term solutions to the problems set, they are long gone before the problems come to light - but are enriched by their generous salary." "We believe that the County Council should be using the resources of the Borough and District authorities to support major projects and ensure that the salary bill for local government in Surrey is capped while cuts are having to be made. Residents cannot accept that large salaries are added to the payroll while their services are being lost and degraded."
WF
6 Mar 2019
EU Citizens in Woking face 60 mile round trip for Settled Status
EU Citizens in Woking face 60 mile round trip to register for Settled Status The Lib Dems and I have slammed the Conservative Government for their "hapless treatment" of European Union (EU) citizens after the Home Office released guidance on the new EU Settlement Scheme. The Home Office has confirmed that for the duration of the trial period, EU nationals applying to stay in the UK must either use an Android phone or travel to one of 13 'document scanning' centres instead. For Woking and all of Surrey, the closest 'document scanning' centre is in Peckham, south London. According to analysis by the Lib Dems, EU citizens travelling from Woking, would face costs of almost £20 on the train for a 1 hour and 40 minute round trip. The drive would be a 60 mile round trip costing around £15 in fuel. Lib Dem County Councillor for Woking South, Will Forster, said: "Too many people in Woking are deeply anxious about their right to stay. Many of them fill vital roles in the health service, our schools and the tourism
WF
6 Mar 2019
Woking Executive withheld part of grant requested by Citizens Advice
More hoops for Citizens Advice to jump through
AMB
12 Feb 2019
Lib Dems criticise move to 7-day property turnaround in Woking.
Liberal Democrats criticise move to 7-day property turnaround
AMB
12 Feb 2019
Lib Dems welcome Conservative U-turn on Woking Park ice cream van
Delight that Carlos will be able to return to the park
AMB
12 Feb 2019
Lib Dems get Surrey County Council to help Europeans stay post Brexit
Lib Dems get Surrey County Council to help Europeans stay post Brexit Surrey County Council has agreed to the Lib Dem request to help its European Union (EU) staff and children in care apply for 'settled status' post-Brexit. Earlier this year, the Government announced that EU nationals would have to apply and pay for settled status post-Brexit, though they have recently waived the application fees. This 'pay to stay' process has been widely criticised as being too complicated and making Europeans feel unwelcome in the UK. Lib Dem County Councillor Will Forster recently addressed the Council's Cabinet to get them to commit to helping EU citizens that work for or are in the care of the local authority with their applications for settled status. Will Forster said, "I am delighted that Surrey County Council has agreed to my request to support EU nationals from some of the damaging effects of Brexit and will help its EU staff and children in care apply for settled status if Brexit takes place." "10% of
WFRH
4 Feb 2019
Surrey County Council has no plans to reopen Lakers Youth Centre one year after fire
Council has no plans to reopen Lakers Youth Centre one year after fire The Lib Dems have criticised Surrey County Council for leaving the Lakers Youth Centre closed for a whole year, and still not having any plans to reopen it. In January 2018, Lakers Youth Centre in Goldsworth Park was badly damaged by a fire and has been closed since. During a recent Surrey County Council Cabinet meeting, Lib Dem County Councillor, Will Forster, asked the Council if, or when, it will repair and reopen Lakers. The Council stated that there are no immediate plans to rebuild Lakers Youth Centre and that they are reviewing all youth services. Will Forster said, "Ever since Lakers was damaged and closed by last year's fire, the Lib Dems and I have been campaigning for the County Council to commit to reopening the Youth Centre. However, they have refused time and time again. We are now one year on, and the Council still has no plans to reopen Lakers." "I am appalled that the County Council has left both Lakers unused for over
WFRH
4 Feb 2019
Surrey County Council's £2.5 million for contract staff
Surrey County Council's £2.5 million for contract staff It was recently revealed that the cost of temporary staff at Surrey County Council is £2.5 million. The news comes at a time when the Council are proposing a number of cuts to essential services, affecting bus subsidies, Children's Centres, Community Recycling Centres and libraries. Prior to the appointment of new Chief Executive, Joanna Killian, in March 2018, the County Council had just one contract for an interim member of staff. The contract bill for temporary and interim staff now stands at £2.5 million. Will Forster, Lib Dem County Councillor for Woking South, said, "The Lib Dems and I have two reactions to this very disturbing news - firstly, can the previous officers, cleared out so rapidly, have been so ineffective that emergency recruitment has been necessary? If so, how did that happen?" "Secondly, there has been no democratic accountability in the appointment of these people, who may be wonderful, but their appointments have bypassed the
WFRH
2 Feb 2019
National Party News
Latest UK News
Black History Month 2024
October is Black History Month - a chance to celebrate the Black British community, acknowledge their contributions and discover their stories.
CJ
17 Oct 2024
Ed Davey's speech to Liberal Democrat Conference
Read Ed Davey's speech to the Liberal Democrats' Autumn Conference in Brighton
17 Sep 2024
Carers
A Fair Deal for Family Carers
Carers are not just support for their loved ones—they are the glue holding our fragile social care system together. They deserve more than token acknowledgements or empty promises.
LD
17 Sep 2024
Environment
The Clean Water Authority
Liberal Democrats believe that everyone has the right to enjoy clean, safe water and unpolluted rivers, lakes, and coastlines. We are committed to ending the national sewage scandal and holding water companies accountable for their environmental impact.
LD
17 Sep 2024
Carers
Reversing the cuts to Bereavement Support Payments
Liberal Democrats have passed new policy to stand up for bereaved families and kinship carers, so more young people can grow up in a loving, stable home.
16 Sep 2024
Supporting the Future of Music
We are committed to tackling the challenges facing our music industry head-on. By doing so, we can maintain the UK’s reputation as a global leader in music, while giving future generations the chance to share in its success.
LD
16 Sep 2024
International Development
Restoring the UK’s Reputation on the World Stage
The Liberal Democrats are committed to rebuilding the trust and compassion that the UK was once known for. We believe that our country has a responsibility to support those in need, no matter where they are in the world.
LD
16 Sep 2024
Home Affairs
Fixing Our Broken Prison System
For too long, years of neglect and mismanagement by the previous Conservative Government have pushed our prison system into a deep crisis.
LD
16 Sep 2024
Latest UK News
Fair Votes Now!
The Liberal Democrats have long championed proportional representation, advocating for a voting system where every vote truly counts. We believe that reforming our electoral system is crucial for a fairer democracy and better governance.
LD
16 Sep 2024