Esher and Walton Liberal Democrats

Welcome to Esher and Walton Lib Dems' website

Walton signpost

Esher and Walton Liberal Democrats work for you and value your views on the key issues - both locally and nationally. On this site you will find news about your local Liberal Democrats, your Liberal Democrat Councillors on Elmbridge Council, and the issues we are campaigning on throughout the local area.

THANK YOU to all those who voted for our candidates throughout Elmbridge during the recent County Council elections. We appreciate your support, particularly to all those who supported Keya Ashraf in the Hinhcley Wood, Claygate and Oxshott division who finished a strong second. Keya will continue to work to support fellow residents in these areas.

We are delighted that in the Claygate by-election for Elmbridge Borough Council our candidate, Mary Marshall, secured a stunning victory to become the latest member of the Liberal Democrat group on the Council. Mary has lived in Claygate for 23 years, raising her children in the village, and is a dedicated neighbourhood campaigner. She runs Avondale Gymnastics Club as a charitable organisation and is experienced in ensuring value for money while providing quality services and will be an excellent Councillor.

Esher church

We work for you throughout the year - not just at election time - and are always keen to hear from residents. We regularly conduct residents surveys, but if you have something you wish to speak to us about in the meantime, please do contact me on info@esherandwaltonlibdems.org.uk.

Mike Smith, Chairman - Esher and Walton Liberal Democrats

Upcoming events

Liberal Exchange events

We hold lively social evenings where key Liberal Democrat speakers are invited to come and discuss key topics. In March we were honoured to have Cabinet member, the Secretary of State for Energy, Ed Davey MP join us to discuss "Energy we can all afford". The previous event also featured a lively debate with Pensions Minister Steve Webb MP about the future of pensions and living through retirement.

These events are open to members and non-members and are held in a variety of locations across the constituency. Details are posted on this website so do keep an eye out!

The next event will take place during the summer.

Farewell

It is with great fondess that we wish long-serving Claygate Councillor Jimmy Cartwright all the best as he enters retirement at the age of 81 and moves with his wife Audrey to West Sussex. We wish him a well deserved rest!

Jimmy said "It's been very rewarding and I've enjoyed every minute of it. Speaking on behalf of your community is really more about being an alert and active neighbour than politics as such. After all these years you get to know the people in the village and they know you, so serving as a councillor comes naturally."

Recent updates

Keya Ashraf questions Surrey Council on lack of secondary places for Claygate pupils

Article: Apr 17, 2013

Liberal Democrat Surrey County Council candidate for Hinchley Wood, Claygate and Oxshott, Keya Ashraf has submitted a question to the next Surrey Council Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 23 April.

Keya said "I am extremely concerned that pupils from Claygate Primary School are significantly less likely to get their first preference than other pupils within Surrey.
Claygate parents outraged at lack of secondary places

Article: Apr 15, 2013

Many Claygate parents with children at Claygate Primary School have been disappointed to learn that not one child from the school who does not have a sibling already at Hinchley Wood School has been offered a place there for September 2013. Instead 10 children from the school have been offered Epsom & Ewell High School which adds dramatically to many pupils' travel time as there is no direct route by public transport.

Only 50% of pupils at Claygate Primary School were offered their first preference school, which compares poorly with 84.9% for the whole of Surrey. 80% of Claygate pupils were offered one of their first three preferences, compared with 95.4% for Surrey.

These figures are part of a negative trend over the last three years and call into question the Tory-led Surrey County Council's schools policy. In the light of growing pupil numbers and shortage of places the Liberal Democrat team in Claygate has put forward proposals to Surrey to study the viability of a secondary school in Claygate. The County Hall refuses to consider the idea and instead prefers to expand existing schools.

Keya Ashraf, the Liberal Democrat candidate in the forth- coming Surrey County Council elections says, "There is a presumption that all parents in Claygate are well off and

Keya Ashraf met Steve Poole, Head of Hinchley Wood School to discuss the school's good progress and results.

want to school their children in the private sector. That is not the case, and why should parents be forced to go private when Surrey has a legal obligation to provide children with education."

"It seems that instead of responding responsibly to the desperate need for school places near home the Council's

preferred approach is to ship out Claygate children to schools in Epsom and Ewell, leaving parents high and dry. They are quite rightly outraged."

Claygate Class Action, which was set up in 2009 by Sarah Whitaker, successfully lobbied for the ring-fencing of 30 places at Esher High School for Claygate children. It also contributed with the drawing up of catchment areas. However, they were unable to convince the governors of Hinchley Wood School to change their selection criteria to favour Claygate children. Esher High's distance criterion is 2.986km whereas Hinchley Wood's is half that at 1.466km.

"The local Lib Dem group would like to increase the criterion of Hinchley Wood to match that of Esher High and will lobby the Governors of Hinchley Wood school to raise their distance, as well as to ring-fence places."

"We also want to explore the option of a local school bus that will mean fewer cars on the road during the school run, and peace of mind for parents. It is hard work to manage family relationships in the current recession, but the extra stress for children in travelling long distances and returning late is damaging and bad for family life. The Liberal Democrats understand the importance of supporting families and therefore feel this is a priority issue", concludes Keya Ashraf.

ENDS
Surrey Conservative administration cover up true state of Surrey's roads

Article: Mar 19, 2013

Surrey County Council's Conservative administration is covering up the true state of the County's roads according to the Liberal Democrat opposition at County Hall.

In response to a written question from the Liberal Democrat Leader of the Opposition Hazel Watson to today's meeting of the Council asking: "What percentage of Surrey's roads will deteriorate to a standard of poor over the next 5 years?", the Conservative Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment has responded: "Our intention is that 0% of Surrey roads will deteriorate to poor during this period through a combination of the new 5 year major maintenance programme and preventative maintenance on the rest of the network."
Lib Dem Party President launches Surrey Lib Dems manifesto

Article: Mar 13, 2013

Liberal Democrat party president Tim Farron MP came to Surrey last night to speak at the launch of the Liberal Democrat manifesto for the Surrey County Council elections on 2 May.

Launching the manifesto, Cllr Hazel Watson, Liberal Democrat Leader of the Opposition on Surrey County Council said: "Our top six to fix priorities for Surrey County Council are: to maintain, repair, and properly grit our roads in winter and ensure that appropriate speed limits apply; improve planning for school places so children can attend their local schools; keep all our libraries open and run by qualified librarians; ensure that there is adequate respite care for carers and that residential accommodation is provided when needed; maintain and enhance the youth service; protect and improve public transport and increase bus services to schools.
Clegg: Spread the word - we're delivering a stronger economy and a fairer society

Article: Mar 10, 2013

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has closed the Liberal Democrat Spring Conference in Brighton by calling on members to spread the message of the Party's commitment in Government to deliver a stronger economy and a fairer society.

In his keynote Leader's speech, Nick paid tribute to the work of the Party in winning the Eastleigh by-election, beating the Conservatives into third place and squeezing Labour while campaigning on the Lib Dem record of delivering in Government.
Nearly half a million people will get Income Tax in April

Article: Feb 19, 2013

Commenting on the further raising of the Personal Allowance, Hazel Watson the Liberal Democrat Leader of the Opposition on Surrey County Council, said:

"From April, 470,800 ordinary working people in Surrey will get a further Income Tax cut, bringing the total tax cut to £600 a year since Liberal Democrats joined the Coalition Government.
Only Lib Dems call for Council Tax freeze

Article: Feb 12, 2013

Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council were the only party at today's budget setting meeting to vote for a freeze in Council Tax for Surrey residents, and against the Conservative administration's 1.99% Council Tax increase.

In the critical Council Tax vote today every Conservative County Councillor present voted for an increase of 1.99% in Council Tax, while every Liberal Democrat voted against. Several Conservatives were absent for the vote, with one leaving the room just seconds before the vote. Members of the Residents and Independents group all either abstained or voted with the Conservatives. Surrey's one Labour County Councillor was not at the meeting.

£538,500 to help pupils in Surrey catch up

Article: Jan 31, 2013

Over £½ million will help Year 7 pupils who didn't reach the expected level in literacy and maths when they finished primary school in Surrey catch up with their classmates who did.

Schools will today (Thursday) receive £500 per pupil who didn't reach the expected level to help them through catch-up classes and individual tuition.

Evidence shows only five per cent of pupils who don't achieve Level 4 in both English and maths at Key Stage 2 go on to achieve five GCSEs at A* to C, including English and maths.

This extra money, announced by Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg in September at Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference, is to help these children catch up with their classmates.

Schools will have freedom to decide how best to use the catch-up premium, but examples could include:

· Small-group tuition supported by new classroom materials and resources, which could take place at lunchtimes or after school;
· Holiday support to deliver intensive catch-up over a short period.
· Additional services and materials to add to those provided by the school, such as tutor services or proven computer-based learning or online support.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Surrey County Council Education Committee Councillor Peter Lambell (Reigate Cantral) said:

"No pupil should be left behind in our schools, to ensure that everyone has a fair chance to get on in life. To achieve this it is hugely important that every child has a strong grasp of maths and a good reading ability when they start at secondary school.

"Catch-up classes and personal tuition are targeted at those who need a helping hand, so their chances of success are increased rather than letting them fall behind further.

"This will allow whole classes to move forward faster together by boosting pupils' motivation which will prevent disruptive behaviour in class.

"By putting fairness back at the centre of our schools system, Liberal Democrats are ensuring that everyone can get on in life. It will allow children to flourish and will help us build a stronger economy."

Commenting further, Nick Clegg said:

"Liberal Democrats are building a stronger economy in a fairer society, enabling everyone to get on in life. Education is critical to that.

"The consequences of a pupil being left behind in the basics when they start secondary school can last for the rest of their education.

"The catch-up premium money being handed out to schools today will help pupils catch up with their peers as quickly as possible. Every child should have the chance to succeed and get off on the right foot when they start their new school."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. In 2012, 13 per cent of pupils in all schools failed to gain a Level 4 in reading and 16 per cent failed to achieve this in maths (109,000 in total in England).

2. Payments to Local Authorities will be made today (Thursday 31 January). Payments to Academies and Free Schools will be made on 1 February.

3. Funding for the catch-up premium is a maximum of £500 per pupil. Almost half of the pupils who are matched with funding are also eligible for the Pupil Premium, which is focussed on disadvantaged pupils.

4. Schools are free to determine how best to use the funding, but Ofsted inspectors will consider how schools are using the premium when inspecting schools. They will also monitor how effectively schools report to parents on whether or not students are meeting national expectations.

5. Nick Clegg announced the catch-up premium in September 2012. The press notice can be found here:www.dpm.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/news/pupils-who-fall-behind-english-and-maths-get-intensive-catch-classes.

Table of money for Surrey schools:


9364028 Christ's College, Guildford	£20,000
9364052 Farnham Heath End School	£13,000
9364058 Broadwater School	£11,500
9364073 Therfield School	£14,000
9364098 Oxted School	£21,000
9364157 Reigate School	£18,000
9364162 Glebelands School	£12,000
9364190 Tomlinscote School & Sixth Form College	£17,500
9364454 The Ashcombe School	£11,500
9364457 Bishop David Brown	£12,000
9364460 The Warwick School	£13,500
9364462 Woking High School	£21,000
9364463 Ash Manor School	£24,500
9364465 Oakwood School	£17,000
9364468 Kings International College	£9,000
9364469 Jubilee High School	£16,000
9364508 Esher Church of England High School	£16,000
9364509 Kings College	£14,000
9364611 ST ANDREW'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL	£13,000
9364619 St. Peter's Catholic School	£11,500
9364622 St Bede's School	£15,000
9364623 Royal Alexandra&Albert School	£11,500
9364765 The Priory School	£22,500
9365402 St John the Baptist School	£12,500
9365408 deStafford School	£18,500
9365409 Heathside School	£12,000
9365411 St Pauls Catholic College	£10,000
9365412 Salesian School	£7,500
9365414 The Winston Churchill School	£26,000
9365415 All Hallows Catholic School	£15,000
9367003 Gosden House School	£3,000
9367012 St Nicholas School	x
9367014 Sunnydown School	£5,000
9367019 LIMPSFIELD GRANGE SCHOOL	£4,000
9367023 THE PARK SCHOOL	£10,000
9367025 West Hill School	£9,000
9367027 Starhurst School	x
9367034 Carwarden House School	£5,000
9367042 Pond Meadow School	£2,500
9367043 WALTON LEIGH SCHOOL	£2,500
9367048 WOODLANDS SCHOOL	x
9367049 Clifton Hill (SLD)	£4,000
9367050 THE RIDGEWAY COMMUNITY SCHOOL	£3,000
9367056 PORTESBERY SCHOOL	x
9367060 Linden Bridge School	£4,000
9367061 THE ABBEY SCHOOL	£9,500
9367062 FREEMANTLES	£2,500
9367065 PHILIP SOUTHCOTE SCHOOL	£6,000
9367066 WOODFIELD SCHOOL	£7,000

Surrey Lib Dems calls for Council Tax freeze

Article: Jan 29, 2013

Surrey County Council Liberal Democrats are calling for a Council Tax freeze in response to the Conservative administration at County Hall calling for a 1.99% increase in what Surrey's Council Taxpayers are being asked to pay.

Hazel Watson, the Liberal Democrat Leader of the Opposition on Surrey County Council said: "Last year the Conservatives imposed a 2.99% Council Tax increase on Surrey residents. They were one of only two county councils that didn't accept the Government's freeze. Liberal Democrats at the time opposed the excessive increase.
Happy New Year: 2013 Will See More Great Moments

Article: Dec 28, 2012

By Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Deputy Prime Minister in New Year's Message

The last twelve months have been lit up by moments that will stay with us forever. When Mo Farah approached the final stretch of the 10,000m final, who wasn't up on their feet, screaming at the TV?

When Nicola Adams beamed at the crowd after winning the first ever women's Olympic boxing, who didn't smile back? I was lucky enough to be there, and that's one I'll never forget.

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