School transport early term teething problems
Families have been left without school transport for the start of term despite Surrey County Council promising to “learn lessons” after pupils were left stranded last year. One parent of … Read More
Author: Emily Coady Stemp - Local Democracy Reporter
Hampton Court ULEZ maze challenge
The expansion of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to the Surrey border affects attractions like Hampton Court Palace, some of which is on the charge boundary. ULEZ, introduced by … Read More
Objectors fail to tear a strip off
An Epsom strip club has had its licence renewed despite dividing residents on what it brings to the town.Stir, in the town centre’s East Street, has run as a sexual … Read More
Guildford contemplates financial “Armageddon”.
Guildford’s task to avoid issuing a bankruptcy notice requires “urgent” attention and councillors are branding the local council’s problems a “wake up call” – here’s everything we learned from a … Read More
Council deficiencies costing Surrey schools
Schools are spending tens of thousands of pounds trying to support children with additional needs amid delays to assessments from Surrey County Council. One headteacher said a child waiting more … Read More
£10m Co-Vid grant pay-back put in wrong place
A £10million accounting error at cash-strapped Guildford Borough Council was discovered in March but councillors were only told this month. The error meant it looked like there was more in … Read More
Another Surrey borough going under?
Guildford Borough Council will bring in “strict controls” on new spending and aim to get its finances in order with a special budget to be set this month. The authority … Read More
Surrey’s 999 services under one operator?
A review into Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner taking control of the county’s fire and rescue service has been branded “a waste of time” and “unwarranted” by councillors. The proposals … Read More
Esher monument cleaners risk arrest….
An Esher monument so “grubby” that people want to clean with toothbrushes is an “enigma” as to who owns and is responsible for it. The White Lady Milestone road marker, outside … Read More
Met poaches Surrey police claims Commissioner
Surrey has more police officers than ever before despite attempts by the Met to “poach” officers, according to the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner. Lisa Townsend told a meeting of … Read More
Confusing debate on police attending mental health calls
An ex-police officer has responded to Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner’s calls for coppers to attend fewer mental health call outs – saying the first murder he attended was initally … Read More
Time for us all to slow down?
A default 20mph speed limit could be coming to Surrey’s towns and villages. Surrey County Council is developing a new speed limit policy with the aim of making streets safer … Read More
Accountant’s fees in dispute
Epsom and Ewell Borough Council‘s external audit fees, provided by Grant Thornton UK LLP, are in the region between £50,000 to £60,000 per annum for an annual budget in the … Read More
Surrey’s worst road to be improved
A £1.8million scheme to improve a Surrey A-road branded “one of the worst in the country” has moved to its next stage. Councillors at Surrey County Council’s cabinet highlighted the … Read More
Residents’ complaints about anti-protester measures ahead of Derby
Epsom Derby organisers faced an “awful lot of complaints” from residents as they put up fencing and closed footpaths to minimise disruption caused by Animal Rising protesters. The activists had … Read More
Epsom less flat after more flats approved
Two new blocks of flats will be built next to Epsom Railway Station after planners gave the go-ahead.Planning applications for 16 new homes on the corner of East Street and … Read More