InTouch Mar21_Layout 2 28/02/2021 18:33 Page 1 KEEP IN TOUCH | TELL US YOUR VIEWS l Mark Sugden | [email protected] | 07548 244422 l David Lewis | [email protected] | 07771 505567 l Alistair Mann | [email protected] | 07768 331843 l Alan Parker | [email protected] | 07917 521069 inTouch www.facebook.com/ElmbridgeConservatives WITH YOUR COBHAM, OXSHOTT & STOKE D’ABERNON CONSERVATIVES MARCH 2021 This newsletter is printed and distributed at no cost to the taxpayer and delivered in accordance with Covid rules Defending the Green light for 6th May elections Green Belt is LECTIONS to Elm- years. our top priority bridge Borough Coun- He said: “I’m keen to champion Ecil, Surrey County our local businesses and take a Council, and for the Surrey community-led approach to tack- Police and Crime Commis- ling local issues, from parking to sioner will be taking place on planning. I share residents’ de- Thursday 6th May. sire to preserve the distinctive Your Conservative candidates character of Cobham and our have been selected and are raring Green Belt.” to go - even though Covid re- Alan Parker CBE is standing to strictions mean conversations are represent Oxshott and Stoke likely to be online this year d’Abernon which includes Cob- rather than on the doorstep. ham Fairmile at Elmbridge Bor- Mark Sugden is our candidate ough Council. He is a former to represent Oxshott, Claygate Chief Executive Officer of a and Hinchley Wood at Surrey FTSE 100 company and has THE Conservative Group of County Council. After an inter- been a chairman and non-execu- councillors at Elmbridge national business career, Mark tive director for international Council is resolutely moved to Claygate in 2007, companies. committed to defending our where he joined the Parish Putting people first has been a borough’s Green Belt, Council and regularly raises is- priority throughout Alan’s career irrespective of housing targets sues on behalf of residents at the and his CBE was awarded for set by the Government. Elmbridge Local Committee of services to industry. His experi- Leader James Browne, pictured Surrey County Council. ence will be a great asset to the above at Knowle Hill, who is a He is an ardent supporter of the Council. Cobham councillor, says the local Green Belt and protecting Alan said: “I will do whatever borough’s vulnerability to vital community services, as is in my power to safeguard our arbitrary housing targets is a well as strong law and order and Green Belt, keep our local busi- direct result of the failure of the safer, better highways. nesses strong and drive waste Liberal Democrat and Residents’ Mark said: “Despite challeng- out from our Council spending.” Associations coalition to agree a ing times, I will do all I can to “At Elmbridge, I have robustly d’Abernon for more than 30 Polling Stations will be safe Local Plan. make a difference for residents defended our Green Belt. At Sur- years, will support the work of places at which to vote but you He explains: “They have had and build a brighter future. I’ll rey, I would ensure that our the Surrey Growth Board, which can also choose to vote by post control of the council for four of take swift action to address the roads and footpaths continue to is working to increase economic or by proxy. Apply to vote by the last five years and we are no adverse impact on Oxshott resi- be improved and that the Coun- activity across the county. post to: www.elmbridge.gov.uk/ further forward. The Local Plan dents of traffic on the A244.” cil’s investment in flood preven- Alistair Mann is our borough elections/voting-by-post by 5pm has been delayed even further as David Lewis has already tion projects will benefit our candidate in Cobham & Down- on 20th April 2021. the result of the latest lockdown proven himself as a hardworking area,” he said. side ward. He is Chair of Cob- n Pictured clockwise from and it is now not expected to be and vocal borough councillor, The provision of quality ser- ham Chamber of Commerce and top left: Mark Sugden, Cllr published until later this year. and is now hoping to put his ex- vices requires a strong economy. was a Chair of Governors at St David Lewis, Alistair Mann “When the Conservatives perience to good use as Surrey David, who has lived in Stoke Andrews Primary School for six and Alan Parker. controlled the Council during County Councillor for Cobham. the 2018/19 municipal year, we instructed officers to draw up n CHATTERBUS linking Ox- LISA Townsend has been additional options for the Local shott, Stoke d’Abernon and Joint effort to selected as the Conservative Plan which protect our open Cobham to Brooklands has had candidate for Surrey Police and spaces and Green Belt, its future secured for 2021-22 by combat virus Crime Commissioner at the 6th preserving areas of natural grants of £10,000 by South West- May election. She’s a former beauty for future generations. Covid has dominated the news ern Railway and £15,000 from Cobham resident with a “Only the Conservative Group for the past year so much that Surrey County Council. background in law and strategic of Councillors at Elmbridge there couldn’t possibly be Local councillors Mary Lewis communications. Lisa intends to have given residents a guarantee anything more to say about it. and Andrew Burley are be a 'critical friend' to the police that they will oppose releasing However, you may not be members of the Chatterbus and raise voters’ priorities with Green Belt land for future aware of the tremendous work board and confirm the service the Chief Constable. “I’ll ensure housing development.” that has been done by Surrey will be resumed when lockdown Surrey Police are more visible In February, the Alliance of County Council (SCC) and restrictions ease. Elmbridge Residents and Civic and reactive to the community's Elmbridge Borough Council. Groups - which includes n COBHAM County Councillor concerns, and engages with our This includes: SCC and Surrey Cobham Conservation & Mary Lewis has secured funding vulnerable residents. I will also Police and Fire Services co- Heritage Trust, Stoke d’Abernon for speed activated signs and take a tougher stance on illegal chaired the Local Resilience Residents Association and three additional pedestrian is- traveller encampments," says Forum which has co-ordinated FEDORA, issued a statement lands in Stoke Road. It follows a Lisa. Follow her campaign at: the response to Covid across the calling on candidates at the 6 successful campaign by residents www.facebook.com/ county including surge testing n Lisa Townsend will be your champion May election to commit to to have the speed limit in the LisaTownsendSurrey and open access testing. and voice at Surrey Police protecting the Green Belt and road reduced to 30 mph. Elmbridge has processed and resist the housing target of 633 paid businesses nearly £8M in dwellings per year. government funded grants. RA and Lib Dems raid Council’s reserves Dom visits Cobham Elmbridge Conservatives have 1,250 Meals on Wheels de- COBHAM'S Chamber of no hesitation in giving those livered every week. Between ELMBRIDGE Borough Council This now stands at £9M, although Commerce Chair (and pros- assurances as this has been our 600 – 750 welfare calls made to is due to receive £14.9M in the Government is expected to pective councillor) Alistair group policy for the last four residents. Elmbridge Commu- Council Tax this year but will compensate Elmbridge for most of Mann took MP Dominic Raab years. nity Transport is taking people still continue to operate at a loss. its Covid spending. on a visit to Cobham High to receive the vaccine in Wal- The Council is run by an eight- Elmbridge Conservative Deputy Street pre-lockdown hear ton, Epsom and Chertsey. party coalition of political Resi- Leader, Cllr Ruth Mitchell, said: from businesses about the im- Rough sleepers have been dents Associations and the Liberal “A root and branch review of pact of Covid. housed in cabins at West Mole- Democrats, which is drawing spending is required. We must de- Dominic was pleased to hear of sey. And since the second down the reserves to plug a £3.7M liver services to our residents more the positive difference of the period of lockdown, Hersham budget shortfall this year. efficiently and at less cost. Government’s Business Rates Village Hall is operating as a Unlike Conservative-led Surrey “The RA/LD administration relief, VAT deferral and Job Covid testing site. County Council which balanced its would rather kick the can down the Support. Traders raised issues As of early February, 91% of books and was better prepared to road than take difficult decisions. about parking, planning and the over 80s had been vaccinated weather Covid, the Borough had a “We will be campaigning to elect need to support high streets to for Covid, 96% of over 75s and funding gap of circa £5M that a Conservative administration to thrive at the heart of local com- 76% of 70 -74 year-olds. councillors had not dealt with be- restore the finances back to health fore the pandemic. and meet our residents’ needs.” munities. InTouch Mar21_Layout 2 28/02/2021 18:33 Page 2 COMMUNITY Surrey: ‘A county council transformed’ NEWS URREY County Council Every year the Council spends under the leadership of £140M on environment, transport SConservative Tim Oliver is and infrastructure, over £30M on a Council transformed. public health, £37M on community As leader of Elmbridge Borough protection (including Surrey Fire & Council from 2018-19, he cham- Rescue Service).