Your Liberal Democrat Councillors recently spent a day with Eastleigh Borough Councillors to seek ideas on how to improve recycling rates here in Heath. FOCUSFOCUSFOCUSMytchett & February / March 2006 Lib Dem controlled Eastleigh is one of the top-performing district councils in the country for recycling. Tory’s Finance Fiasco! Currently they have a recycling rate of 35%, and they have plans to reach 40% in two years, and 50% in five. has a respectable recycling level of 26%, but this has not been increasing recently. Eastleigh is a little bigger and not as prosperous as Surrey Heath, but is similar in having a mixture of urban & rural areas. The Surrey Heath team were welcomed by Cllr Keith House (Lib Dem Leader of Eastleigh Borough Keith House, Leader of Eastleigh Council, and Council), Cllr David Whitcroft (Surrey Heath Liberal Louise Bloom, Portfolio Holder for the Democrat Group Leader), Cllr Louise Bloom (Portfolio Your Environment. Holder for the Environment at Eastleigh) and Cllr Judy Councillors, David Douch (Surrey Heath Liberal Democrat Environment Cllr David Whitcroft told Focus “Eastleigh Whitcroft, Cindy Spokesperson) outside the Eastleigh Council Offices. What have the pioneered the system of alternate week Ferguson and collection of recyclables and non-recyclables. Mike Drew ask Cllr Judy Douch commented “The initiatives Conservatives done where our Council Rushmoor, Hart and Woking have followed being adopted by Eastleigh are very relevant tax money has their lead, and it is something that Surrey to our situation in Surrey Heath. Eastleigh’s all gone! Heath is also investigating. It is also critical with OUR money?! to gain the support of the local community Lib Dem Council also appears to be more adept for recycling by providing education and at obtaining government funding for their information.” initiatives than our Conservative Council.” Your Liberal Democrat Councillors have slammed Conservative controlled Surrey Promoted & published by Surrey Heath Liberal Democrats, 163 Green Road, , Surrey. Printed by Alphaprint, 156 Maybury Road, Woking, Surrey. Heath Borough Council for financial incompetence and are seeking urgent answers Your Liberal Democrat Focus Team would like to hear from you.... to why the Council is almost £1million over budget. At a recent Council meeting it was revealed Cllr Cindy Ferguson agreed, saying “ This Please return to: Surrey Heath Liberal Democrats, Freepost GI3420, , Surrey GU16 5BR that the Council was in the red for the 2005- finance fiasco is due to poor Name: Address: 06 financial year by nearly £1 million, leaving Conservative management - as simple its reserves dangerously depleted. The as that!” Tel: Email: council’s main reserve account was more than Cllr Mike Drew commented £1.8 million in April 2004, but by April 2006 it is “This overspend is estimated that it will be reduced to £332,000. outrageous and the Please help me with: Cllr David Whitcroft, Liberal Democrat Group implications of the Leader, told Focus “There would appear to problem are massive. be no financial control being exercised by We should be considering some very the Conservative administration. Increased serious steps to establish what has spending on staff costs relating to gone wrong with the control restructuring are to blame.” procedures in this Council.”

Promoted & published by Surrey Heath Liberal Democrats, 163 Frimley Green Road, Frimley Green, Surrey. Printed by Alphaprint, 156 Maybury Road, Woking, Surrey. www.surreyheathlibdems.org.uk Still Not Persuaded by TAG The Deepcut Village Centre Following two public meetings (one organised by the Liberal Democrats), Frimley Green & Mytchett residents are united in their opposition to TAG’s application to double the number of weekend aircraft movements at Farnborough Airfield. The outcome of the two meetings was Local Mytchett Councillor, David Whitcroft told Focus exactly the same: – every single resident “It has emerged that a large plane owned by Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea FC Chairman, has been was against the proposed increase! refused permission to use Farnborough. I cannot Noise, pollution and the fear of additional variations of understand why TAG find it necessary to try to increase the existing planning permission are residents’ main weekend flying but are quite happy with the current concerns. TAG have suggested that the regulations in regulations in respect of aircraft size. Maybe that will Councillor Cindy Ferguson, these respects are the responsibility of central be the subject of the NEXT TAG application after this Centre Manager Marion Government. one!?” Osbourne and Councillor Councillor Mike Drew commented “The TAG planning When challenged by residents to indicate what benefits David Whitcroft outside The the local community and residents would derive from application does not have any support from residents who simply do not want the increase because of the Deepcut Village Centre. increase weekend flying, TAG have stated that local negative impact the change will have on their lives hotels and car hire companies would see increased merely for the benefit of a few people who wish to use Your Liberal Democrat Councillors recently business!! private planes at weekends.” TAG have rejected the idea that they might financially visited The Deepcut Village Centre which is situated to the rear of the Alma Dettigen compensate residents living under the flight path and Rushmoor Council have suggested that instead claims should be made under the yet to fix a date for the housing development. Land Compensation Act. TAG have also made it clear Liberal Democrats are keen to support the community special Planning meeting facility and encourage local people to use it. Councillor that wealthy individuals or groups were quite at liberty which will determine to charter Farnborough based aircraft for weekend Cindy Ferguson told Focus “This very attractive TAG’s application. ‘jaunts’ to Europe and further afield. community facility has been open since September 2004. It is a purpose built, beautifully designed building. The facilities include a stylishly designed hall, professional conference rooms, a fully equipped kitchen, showers/ Don’t Play Dirty - Stick at 30! changing rooms and car parking. Fees are also very competitive.” Your Councillors for We are very happy with the Mytchett The Deepcut Village Centre has a resident Pre-School Mytchett and Deepcut are: Road traffic calming scheme promoted Nursery (OFSTED approved) that runs from 8.00 am to 6 by the County Council. pm and at the time of going to print there are some places Councillor David Whitcroft 57 Queensway, Frimley Green. With some simple measures – especially available. For further information contact Donna or Ceri Email: [email protected] the flashing 30mph reminder signs – it on 01252 838003 to book a visit. Tel: 01252 837501. seems the objective of slowing down the Other regular hirers include a martial arts group, fitness Councillor Cindy Ferguson traffic through the village has been classes, children’s parties, community police and housing 2 Habershon Drive, Frimley achieved without resorting to the humps association surgeries. Email; [email protected] Tel: 01276 500681 and bumps which motorists and the To enquire about bookings, existing Councillor Mike Drew emergency services object to so very 15 Hazel Road, Mytchett strongly!! classes and forthcoming meetings Email: [email protected] Tel: 01252 549004 The scheme was the result of close telephone 01252 837251 or email: cooperation between Surrey County Focus Editor: Council Officers, local Lib Dem Councillors [email protected]. and local residents. It is a good example Councillor Duncan Clark The manager, Marion Osbourne, 163 Frimley Green Road, Frimley Green of what CAN be achieved through a Councillors Mike Drew, Cindy Ferguson and David Email: [email protected] genuine consultation process. Whitcroft with the new speed sign on Mytchett Road. will be pleased to receive your call. Tel: 01252 835224