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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
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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
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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
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Lib Dems call for Surrey County Council to protect Europeans from Brexit

Lib Dems call for Surrey County Council to protect Europeans from Brexit Lib Dem County Councillor Will Forster has today called on Surrey County Council to support European Union (EU) nationals living locally from the damaging effects of Brexit. Before Christmas, the Government announced that EU citizens would have to apply and pay for 'settled status' post-Brexit, causing fears that some European workers will leave the UK post Brexit. Surrey County Council, like other local authorities, relies on EU nationals to fill key jobs especially in the social care sector. Therefore, Will Forster and the Lib Dems have called on the County Council to protect EU nationals by paying the settled status fees of all of its EU staff. Lib Dem County Councillor for Woking South, Will Forster, said: "Although Theresa May's Brexit deal was recently rejected in Parliament by a record 230 votes, Brexit is still a huge threat, especially to Surrey County Council's social care system which relies on staff from Europe. Bre

WFRH
2 Feb 2019
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Deborah Hughes headshot

Woking residents deserve better

It may be that the recent 'block' voting by the Tory members in Woking Borough Council is a way in which to keep the length of the Council sessions to a reasonable time? However this means that we have many important decisions being compressed into one meeting, some of them involving millions of pounds of investment, possibly without balanced debate and consideration.

8 Jan 2019
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National Party News

Two men are moving parcels wrapped in white plastic. In the foreground, a label on one package is visible reading "UK Aid from the British people" and a union flag. Image - Dfid CCBY-ND2.0
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.

16 Sep 2024
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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
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Health, Care & the NHS

Saving our NHS

We believe everyone deserves high-quality healthcare, accessible when and where it’s needed and free at the point of use.

LD
15 Sep 2024
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Environment

National Nature Parks

The Liberal Democrats have laid out a bold and ambitious plan to restore the UK’s natural environment and ensure that everyone can access a clean, healthy, and thriving green space.

LD
15 Sep 2024
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