COMMUNITY CONSERVATIVE BUILDINGS CANDIDATES How the Conservatives have Find our who your local invested in local facilities for candidate is and get in touch all of us ...p3 with them ...p4 Woking Messenger Visit us at www.wokingconservatives.org.uk or follow us on Twitter @Woking_Cons SPRING 2016 CAR PARKING CHARGES FROZEN IN WOKING Car parking charges in Woking will not be Theatre complex, is bringing thousands of increased during 2016 under the visitors to Woking to enjoy all that it now Conservatives and will remain at their has to offer. current levels despite the tough economic conditions and reductions in government Special events such as the Food Festival, grants. which has become an annual autumn feature, attracted more than 90,000 Charges in town centre car parks were people during the three-day festival in last fixed in October 2014 and the September last year. Conservative administration is pleased that through careful financial Former Councillor Colin Scott, now a management it can avoid increasing campaigner in the new Canalside ward, parking costs for residents and visitors to said: “Keeping car parking charges as low the town. as possible helps make the town centre more accessible to more people. With all The vibrant town centre, with its many the work this Council has done to improve new restaurants, shops, and the the town, this can only be a good thing continuing attraction of the Ambassadors and a boost to our local economy.” “Keeping car parking charges as low as possible helps make the town centre more accessible to more people...this can only be a Canalside campaigners Colin Scott and Paula Marcus are good thing and a boost to our local economy” delighted that car parking charges will be frozen this year AL FRESCO IN COMMERCIAL WAY Town Centre change continues as Tante Marie moves in The transformation of Woking Council Leader John Kingsbury Town Centre has been a priority said: “Now instead of empty for the Conservatives in Woking shops and declining trade we during the past five years. have a thriving town centre, which is a pleasure to visit. First the Peacocks and Wolsey Place Shopping Centres were “Woking has been transformed to improved along with the give residents and visitors a much remodelling of Jubilee Square. -improved shopping and working experience.” Then Woking Market was completely refurbished and The latest additions to the town moved under cover, followed by centre include Tante Marie, Bill’s, the work in Commercial Way to Carluccio’s, Las Iguanas and soon make one of the town’s Côte Brasserie, a new restaurant The development of Commercial Way has brought more choice for diners and a continental atmosphere to the town’s main thoroughfare thoroughfares more attractive and opening shortly. accessible. Promoted and published by Simon Ashall on behalf of Woking Constituency Conservatives, both of Churchill House, Chobham Road, Woking GU21 4AA. Printed by <Insert name, full address and postcode>. 2 If you would like to help with our campaigning locally, give us a call on 01483 773384 JONATHAN LORD MP — REPORTING HOW TO CONTACT US BACK TO US FROM WESTMINSTER Churchill House, Chobham Road, Woking GU21 4AA Parliament is very Here in Woking we now have the lowest busy at the unemployment for many years. The number 01483 773384 moment with a of people claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance [email protected] united and has fallen by a huge 70% since 2010 and we www.wokingconservatives.org.uk purposeful have one of the best economic growth rates Jonathan Lord MP, House of Commons, Conservative of any town in the UK. I am looking forward to London SW1A 0AA Tel: 020 7219 6913 team delivering the arrival of Côte Brasserie on Commercial Community Hospital at the end of February. I on our manifesto Way in the late Spring, joining all the other have been advocating for some time that promises. terrific new restaurants that have opened up better care for our elderly could be co- during the past two years. ordinated out of our excellent local hospital, I am particularly with the aim of keeping people healthy, happy delighted that we We've witnessed a real transformation in our and supported in their own homes. are protecting town centre in recent times and I know that Police funding the Council has further improvements I am thrilled that innovative new provision is and providing a £10 billion boost for our NHS. planned. I am also looking forward to the official opening of a new service at Woking shortly going to be in place - Woking leading the way once again! AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRIORITY IN WOKING Helping people onto the ladder (L to R) Anne Murray, Beryl Hunwicks and Colin Kemp at Horsell Scout and Guide HQ Woking focusing on projects for young people Conservatives understand the importance of investing in and supporting our young people. Alongside the youth clubs run by Surrey County Council, the Conservative-led Borough Council supports a local charity to run additional youth clubs in Barnsbury and Lakeview. Today’s youth clubs are not just about having (L to R) David Bittleston, Mark Pengelly and Carl fun — they also provide a vital support network Thomson outside the New Central development as well as supply training to help young people build a better future. In addition to the clubs, The Conservative Council in Woking has above the new Fire Station. Woking Youth Council is open to those aged prioritised the delivery of affordable housing to between 13 and 19 from all backgrounds. buy or rent in the Borough to help hardworking If agreed, the Sheerwater Regeneration families get onto the housing ladder and ease scheme would also provide a further 400 The Youth Council has engaged in debates with prices for those needing to move. homes and transform the surrounding area, Councillors on topics that affect the young while the Victoria Square development that people of Woking. It has debated the Local Initiatives by the Conservatives, led by Deputy includes the return of Marks and Spencer to Development Framework, put its own Council Leader David Bittleston, include Woking will also deliver 392 new apartments. recommendations to Full Council and discussed building 154 new homes as part of the Hoe the Borough Council’s environment and climate Valley Scheme and bringing 250 street David said: “With so many people waiting for change plan, both topics that affect the Woking properties back into use. decent, affordable homes, and families across of tomorrow — their Woking. Woking unable to get on the property ladder, The Conservatives have also taken forward the we hope to be able to continue prioritising the Horsell councillor Colin Kemp, who is active in Moor Lane development, where 371 homes are delivery of new, high-quality homes in Woking.” supporting youth projects and with Beryl being built with 60 percent at social rents. Hunwicks helped bring improved youth facilities Another 350 homes are being delivered Mount Hermon Conservative Councillor Carl to Horsell, said: “We understand the importance through Woking Borough Council’s arm’s-length Thomson said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve of investing in tomorrow’s leaders and engaging housing company Thameswey Housing. been able to deliver this kind of housing around our young people in the political process.” the Borough and in our area that will allow Horsell Councillor Anne Murray added: “If we Elsewhere in the Borough, a disused office people to remain in Woking with their families are to continue prospering as an area, we need block has been converted into 45 affordable and attract people with the skills we need to to ensure that our young people have the apartments with 34 low-cost flats being built live here.” opportunity to reach their full potential.” www.wokingconservatives.org.uk 3 FLOODING DEFENCES IN WOKING FUNDED As we have seen recently, none of us are immune from the risk of flooding — but the Conservatives are committed to doing all they can to reduce the risks in Woking. Some 40 homes, which flooded in 2013 and 2014 in Old Woking and Byfleet, have already been helped to install and test individual (L to R) Harry Briggs, Richard Wilson and Gary Elson property protection so they will have a lower risk outside the new Byfleet Scout Hut of flooding while wider flood prevention proposals are being developed. Working with the Environment Agency, plans for COMMUNITY FACILITIES the Hoe Stream from Mayford to Old Woking are being prepared. Subject to approvals, work should start next year. SPRINGING UP ALL OVER In Byfleet, the Council is working with Thames WOKING SINCE 2010 Water to install equipment in Sanway Road to stop water flowing back from the river. Drains in Brewery Lane are being upgraded to reduce Conservatives have delivered them surface water flooding. While the Conservatives on Woking Borough A replacement Memorial Hall in St John’s had Council have worked hard to stimulate the local been talked about for nearly 10 years before the Old Woking Councillor John Lawrence said: economy and create the environment for new Council stepped in to help. The new Memorial “Conservatives are committed to reducing the jobs for local people, they have not forgotten Hall now boasts a crèche for local families, as risk of flooding, which is a key priority. The village communities. well as a meeting place for groups in the area. devastation flooding causes residents and businesses is an issue we take very seriously.” In the past five years, the Council has provided New sports and play facilities have also been more than £5m to support local projects and made a reality.