Cllr views (Esher and Walton Liberal Democrats)

Esher and Walton Liberal Democrats <info@esherandwaltonlibdems.org.uk>

Message from Cllr Barry Fairbank, Liberal Democrat Group Leader on Elmbridge Borough Council

Firstly, I must congratulate Cllrs Shweta Kapadia and Jimmy Cartwright on being re-elected in May to continue their good work on Elmbridge Borough Council.

Earlier in 2010 Elmbridge Borough Council decided to reform the Overview and Scrutiny Committees by merging three of them into one, and put the change into place in May. I am pleased to report that the Weybridge North Liberal Democrat Councillor Miles Macleod was election Vice-Chairman of the new Committee.

The Conservatives have agreed to the reinstatement of the Finance Standing Committee (which they had previously abolished in 2009 after only two years if existence). This Committee gives opposition groups the only real opportunity to review and scrutinise forthcoming budget proposals and it an important part of the democratic process. Furthermore, after Liberal Democrat pressure, the (Conservative) Leader of the Council has made a public commitment to ensuring that where possible committee papers relating to budget cuts will be available in the public domain.

Finally I wish to thank all the members of the Liberal Democrat group for their continued hard work and support in ensuring that the Group continues to punch well above its weight on the Council.