At the Full Council meeting on Thursday 25 February Woking Council voted to have a 'strong leader' rather than an elected Mayor and to continue the process of election by thirds to Woking Council.
As I set out in an earlier post the government required WBC to decide whether to directly elect a Mayor (as in London) or to have a 'strong leader' and cabinet. The second option, as chosen by WBC this week, is similar to the current structure. Woking Council is run by an Executive committee, usually headed by the Leader of the largest political group on the Council. The leader and executive are chosen annually, usually by members of the largest political party. The new 'strong leader' model sees a leader elected by the whole Council for a four year term (or until their term of office ends). This leader can be removed by a vote of the Council. The leader chooses their cabinet and allocates responsibilities within that cabinet.
Woking did have an executive of 7 members. This has been cut down to 5 members by the Conservatives in recent years (some have said, rather unkindly, because they couldn't find 7). It will be interesting to see the new cabinet structure. Will there be any move to do a 'Gordon' and appoint members from outside of the largest party I wonder?
The election schedule is unchanged. There will continue to be elections to WBC in three years out of four. In the fourth year there are elections to Surrey County Council. I agree with the retention of election by thirds. This method enables residents to have at least some control over how its Council is run. A four-yearly election cycle gives the council carte blanche to make unpopular decisions or severe cuts in year one in the hope it will be forgotten over the next three years.
There are some interesting indicators of what might happen if elections were 'all up'. A certain Mr Armitage got himself re-elected in 2003 then announced plans to build on Brewery Road car park. The Conservative party became the largest party in 2007 when they 'bribed' the population with the promise of a 0% Council Tax rise in the following year. In 2008 there was no increase, as promised, but in 2009 with County rather than Borough elections the increase was a whopping 4.8%.
Friday 26 February 2010
Wednesday 24 February 2010
Poll on Woking Council Purchase of Wolsey Shopping Centre
I've created a poll on whether Woking Council should have bought the Wolsey Shopping Centre. Have your say at http://twtpoll.com/hfvoye
BBC Question Time Biased Against Lib Dems
I am a regular watcher of the BBC's Question Time programme (usually on around 10.35pm on Thursdays). Episodes vary a great deal. Some are rather boring, with politicians trotting out the same old platitudes. Others create real debate among panel and audience, making for an exciting hour's viewing.
I have a big grumble with the programme this year. They have often failed to include a Lib Dem representative on the panel. Indeed in three of the last four episodes there has not been a Lib Dem representation. The excellent Lynne Featherstone last week was the only Lib Dem to appear on the programme in the last month.
The week before QT was in Northern Ireland. No Lib Dem. Before that Coventry, in the week after Tony Bliar appeared before the Iraq War Inquiry. Given the Lib Dem role in opposing UK intervention in Iraq and challenging the basis on which the country went to war you might have expected a Lib Dem to appear, Oh no, we got Tony's mate Lord Falconer, his former colleague Clare Short MP (now Independent) and George Galloway (representing the George Galloway party as uusal) plus a Tory and right wing commentator. No Lib Dem.
This week the programme is in Wales. Liberal Democrats previously had a share in government in Wales. Liberal Democrats now have more MPs than the Conservatives or Plaid Cymru in Wales. One of the Cardiff MPs is a Lib Dem and Lib Dems run Cardiff Council.
So who do the BBC have on the panel. Labour, Conservative, Plaid, a media bod (Janet Street Porter) and UKIP! The Euro hating types (funny how their dislike of Europe doesn't extend to their willingness to take the money that the EU provides for their MEPs!) have a single MEP in Wales. How can the BBC include this minority party and not have a Lib Dem representative on the panel.
I have complained directly to the BBC about the bias against the Lib Dems on the Question Time panel.
I have a big grumble with the programme this year. They have often failed to include a Lib Dem representative on the panel. Indeed in three of the last four episodes there has not been a Lib Dem representation. The excellent Lynne Featherstone last week was the only Lib Dem to appear on the programme in the last month.
The week before QT was in Northern Ireland. No Lib Dem. Before that Coventry, in the week after Tony Bliar appeared before the Iraq War Inquiry. Given the Lib Dem role in opposing UK intervention in Iraq and challenging the basis on which the country went to war you might have expected a Lib Dem to appear, Oh no, we got Tony's mate Lord Falconer, his former colleague Clare Short MP (now Independent) and George Galloway (representing the George Galloway party as uusal) plus a Tory and right wing commentator. No Lib Dem.
This week the programme is in Wales. Liberal Democrats previously had a share in government in Wales. Liberal Democrats now have more MPs than the Conservatives or Plaid Cymru in Wales. One of the Cardiff MPs is a Lib Dem and Lib Dems run Cardiff Council.
So who do the BBC have on the panel. Labour, Conservative, Plaid, a media bod (Janet Street Porter) and UKIP! The Euro hating types (funny how their dislike of Europe doesn't extend to their willingness to take the money that the EU provides for their MEPs!) have a single MEP in Wales. How can the BBC include this minority party and not have a Lib Dem representative on the panel.
I have complained directly to the BBC about the bias against the Lib Dems on the Question Time panel.
Monday 22 February 2010
Tories Fail on 10:10
Very disappointed to hear the news from tonight's Council meeting in Woking that the local Tories did not support a motion to back the 10:10 campaign. This is a national campaign to reduce carbon emissions “as close as possible to 10%” in 2010. Many councils across the country have signed up and given their support to this campaign.
Woking has an excellent environmental record but that seems to have been thrown out of the window with the rejection of this motion. From what I have heard of the meeting, which I did not attend, the refusal of support seemed to stem from a combination of believing Woking was already ahead of the field and so did not need to support the campaign and those who reject that 'climate change' exists.
Whatever happened to Vote Blue Go Green? This obviously related only to the colour voters would turn when they saw the reality of voting for David Cameron's party.
Woking has an excellent environmental record but that seems to have been thrown out of the window with the rejection of this motion. From what I have heard of the meeting, which I did not attend, the refusal of support seemed to stem from a combination of believing Woking was already ahead of the field and so did not need to support the campaign and those who reject that 'climate change' exists.
Whatever happened to Vote Blue Go Green? This obviously related only to the colour voters would turn when they saw the reality of voting for David Cameron's party.
WBC buys Wolsey Walk Shopping Centre
I learnt today that Woking Council has purchased Wolsey Walk shopping centre. This is the smaller of the two shopping centres in Woking (the Peacocks is the larger centre).
The Council already owned the freehold of the centre and received 19% of rents collected. It is now the sole owner, at a cost of £68 Million. The centre is expected to generate profits of £1.5 Million per year for the Council (after costs).
The money has been borrowed from the Public Works Loan Board (a body of which I had never heard before but is apparently an 'Executive Agency' of the Treasury and has been going since 1793). The loan will be repaid over 50 years at a rate of 4.43% (according to Woking News and Mail - this detail was not in the press release).
I can see two positives to this purchase.
Revenue coming in to the Council can only be welcome. Presumably it will help to pay off the Council's existing borrowing. Hopefully it will keep our Council Tax down. It may even keep car parking charges down!
The shops, offices and homes in the centre all contribute to the economic well-being of the town. The Council has a role in maintaining the economic prosperity of the town.
However I also have concerns about this purchase. My concerns are in two parts.
Firstly about the ownership of the centre. What happens if there is a worsening economic downturn - a double dip depression. Will this lead to large numbers of empty shops? How about if there is new legislation requiring specific improvements or maintenance to shops in the centre or the flats above or the office space in what tends to still be known locally as BAT tower? Has the council allowed for such unexpected costs?
Secondly I am concerned by how the agreement to purchase the centre was reached. The decision was taken at a closed Council meeting. The matter was determined 'part 2'. This is business of the Council which may involve commercially sensitive information. Now I can understand that key details on the negotiation of price to buy the centre were commercially confidential but surely the principle of the purchase, i.e. borrowing no more than x amount, at a rate of no more than x% with a return of no less than x per year could have been put to an open council meeting. This is our council. Do these decisions really have to be taken behind closed doors?
I also think that the Council could do more to explain to the population about its borrowing strategy. Many residents are already concerned (rightly or wrongly) about the Council's level of borrowing. With new increased borrowing residents don't just need a press release about the Wolsey Walk purchase they need information and shared knowledge on what this level of borrowing means for Woking.
One final thought. Now the Council is sole owner will a rename of Wolsey Walk be in the pipeline. Could we see it becoming Morgan Meander or John's Jog?
The Council already owned the freehold of the centre and received 19% of rents collected. It is now the sole owner, at a cost of £68 Million. The centre is expected to generate profits of £1.5 Million per year for the Council (after costs).
The money has been borrowed from the Public Works Loan Board (a body of which I had never heard before but is apparently an 'Executive Agency' of the Treasury and has been going since 1793). The loan will be repaid over 50 years at a rate of 4.43% (according to Woking News and Mail - this detail was not in the press release).
I can see two positives to this purchase.
Revenue coming in to the Council can only be welcome. Presumably it will help to pay off the Council's existing borrowing. Hopefully it will keep our Council Tax down. It may even keep car parking charges down!
The shops, offices and homes in the centre all contribute to the economic well-being of the town. The Council has a role in maintaining the economic prosperity of the town.
However I also have concerns about this purchase. My concerns are in two parts.
Firstly about the ownership of the centre. What happens if there is a worsening economic downturn - a double dip depression. Will this lead to large numbers of empty shops? How about if there is new legislation requiring specific improvements or maintenance to shops in the centre or the flats above or the office space in what tends to still be known locally as BAT tower? Has the council allowed for such unexpected costs?
Secondly I am concerned by how the agreement to purchase the centre was reached. The decision was taken at a closed Council meeting. The matter was determined 'part 2'. This is business of the Council which may involve commercially sensitive information. Now I can understand that key details on the negotiation of price to buy the centre were commercially confidential but surely the principle of the purchase, i.e. borrowing no more than x amount, at a rate of no more than x% with a return of no less than x per year could have been put to an open council meeting. This is our council. Do these decisions really have to be taken behind closed doors?
I also think that the Council could do more to explain to the population about its borrowing strategy. Many residents are already concerned (rightly or wrongly) about the Council's level of borrowing. With new increased borrowing residents don't just need a press release about the Wolsey Walk purchase they need information and shared knowledge on what this level of borrowing means for Woking.
One final thought. Now the Council is sole owner will a rename of Wolsey Walk be in the pipeline. Could we see it becoming Morgan Meander or John's Jog?
How often should we vote
As well as making a decision on whether Woking should have an elected Mayor, our local council will decide this week whether future elections should be held every four years, or as now, in three years out of four, electing a third of councillors each time.
My own, personal, preference is to stay with the current method of electing the council by thirds. I believe this frequency of elections allows the local population to have their say on what the Council is doing on a regular basis. It also encourages the local political parties to keep in touch with their electorate. Politicians know that they, or their colleagues are up for the judgement of the population.
My own, personal, preference is to stay with the current method of electing the council by thirds. I believe this frequency of elections allows the local population to have their say on what the Council is doing on a regular basis. It also encourages the local political parties to keep in touch with their electorate. Politicians know that they, or their colleagues are up for the judgement of the population.
Saturday 20 February 2010
A new Mayor of Woking?
Woking has a mayor. It has had one for many years. The role is traditionally non-political and mainly ceremonial. The mayor has a year's term of office during which the post holder carries out official duties around Woking, visits local groups and organisations and raises money for one or more charities. Within the Council the Mayor is also responsible for chairing full meetings of the council which occur around five or six times a year.
The mayoral role is much appreciated by the voluntary sector, the charities that benefit from the mayor's fundraising work and the many indviduals of all ages who meet the mayor when she (in 2009/10) visits them to watch a performance or learn more about their organisation. In recent years the mayor's charity has raised funds for younger people suffering from Alzheimers, those who need money but can't access other sources by the creation of a 'community action fund', a nurse for residents with multiple sclerosis and vital medical equipment.
The government has required Woking Council to consult on a new mayor of Woking. This would be a political position, like Boris Johnson in London or Ray Mallon in Middlesborough. The Mayor would play a key part in running our town. The Mayor would be directly elected by Woking residents. There could still be a mayor as we have now, but under a different name.
Woking's consultation on this matter received few responses before Christmas. The matter is now put to the meeting of the full council this Thursday, 25 February.
My view is that the elected Mayor role attracts individuals with an agenda and populists. Although the Mayor would have a 'cabinet' of councillors, and councillors would be able to scrutinise mayoral proposals, this role puts a great deal of power into the hands of one person. I do not see this as good for democracy.
The mayoral role is much appreciated by the voluntary sector, the charities that benefit from the mayor's fundraising work and the many indviduals of all ages who meet the mayor when she (in 2009/10) visits them to watch a performance or learn more about their organisation. In recent years the mayor's charity has raised funds for younger people suffering from Alzheimers, those who need money but can't access other sources by the creation of a 'community action fund', a nurse for residents with multiple sclerosis and vital medical equipment.
The government has required Woking Council to consult on a new mayor of Woking. This would be a political position, like Boris Johnson in London or Ray Mallon in Middlesborough. The Mayor would play a key part in running our town. The Mayor would be directly elected by Woking residents. There could still be a mayor as we have now, but under a different name.
Woking's consultation on this matter received few responses before Christmas. The matter is now put to the meeting of the full council this Thursday, 25 February.
My view is that the elected Mayor role attracts individuals with an agenda and populists. Although the Mayor would have a 'cabinet' of councillors, and councillors would be able to scrutinise mayoral proposals, this role puts a great deal of power into the hands of one person. I do not see this as good for democracy.
Chinese New Year Celebrations
I spent an enjoyable few hours in Woking Town Square today with my younger daughter watching Chinese New Year celebrations. We saw the traditional dragon dance, people of all ages from young children to adults dancing, Tai Chai demonstrations and kung fu.
Wokings Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Rosie Sharpley was also there enjoying the celebrations. It was great to see so much colour and hear the music in the centre of Woking.
As a vegetarian I was especially pleased to see the Vegan food stall and partook of some rather tasty veggie dumplings. Yummy.
Wokings Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Rosie Sharpley was also there enjoying the celebrations. It was great to see so much colour and hear the music in the centre of Woking.
As a vegetarian I was especially pleased to see the Vegan food stall and partook of some rather tasty veggie dumplings. Yummy.
Look out for cash machine fraud in Woking
Worrying news on BBC tonight that there has been cash machine fraud in Woking. Devices known as Lebanese Loops have been used to retain cards at cash machines at Horsell Co-Op and in St Johns http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/surrey/8525941.stm
Remember to take care when using cash machines and ensure that nobody sees your pin number. If you have any suspicions about a cash machine contact your bank.
Remember to take care when using cash machines and ensure that nobody sees your pin number. If you have any suspicions about a cash machine contact your bank.
Thursday 18 February 2010
Sharon Bowles Visit to Woking
Had a very busy day in Woking today with Sharon Bowles and Rosie Sharpley.
Sharon Bowles, is one of our South East MEPs (Member of European Parliament) and chairs the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee in the European Union. This committee deals with regulation of the financial sector, the free movement of capital and payments, competition rules, tax provisions, and the functioning of the Euro. Sharon works closely with Vince Cable on financial matters. You can learn about Sharon and her work in the parliament and her constituency at her website.
Rosie Sharpley and I took Sharon to meet Hazel Craig-Waller at the Woking CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau). We had a really interesting update on how the economic situation is affecting local residents and future challenges facing the CAB.
We lunched in Woking with local party members and Sharon met Zimbabwean asylum seekers to learn about the issues they are facing.
Before our CAB visit we had chance to pop into the new eco shop on Commercial Way. There's lots of useful information in there on saving energy - good for your pocket and the environment. We managed to add an additional appointment to Sharon's schedule and arranged for the excellent and well informed Ben to take us around Oak Tree Eco House in Knaphill.
The Eco House is a great demonstration of how you can integrate environmental measures in a home, and save money. The house shows a range of options from cavity wall insulation - currently available at only £99 in Woking, through options requiring a greater capital outlay such as photovoltaic panels and rain water harvesting.
Our final visit of the day was to Woking FC. Sharon supports the campaign to bring 'safe standing' back at football grounds. Woking has standing room so Sharon was able to see the ground and talk about the excellent work the football club do in the community.
Sharon also had chance to visit the Lightbox and to wander around the farmers market (sadly depleted by the cold, wet weather).
We finished the day by visiting local residents to discuss their concerns.
A long day but Sharon learnt a lot about Woking and the issues facing our town.
Sunday 14 February 2010
Elections in 2010
2010 is another election year in Horsell. Residents living in Horsell West are entitled to vote for a councillor to represent them on Woking Borough Council on Thursday 6 May. All Horsell residents are likely to be voting for a new government on the same day. However the date for the General Election, although widely assumed, is yet to be announced. Setting the date is in the hands of one Gordon Brown. We are not likely to hear about a May 6 General Election until late March or even early April. The country sits and waits ...
Having Your Say on Planning Applications
One of the ways in which residents may interact with their local council is in response to a planning application in the local area. Plans to build a new County Council office block on Brewery Road car park by Woking Tories was a key example of mass resident interaction with their council.
There are many planning applications to the Council every year. A great number are not at all contentious. Local councils have a whole series of policies set down which provide a framework against which planning applications are assessed. This allows a number of applications to be decided by planning officers under a process called "delegated powers".
Other applications are put before the planning committee which meets approximately monthly. A councillor can ask for an application which he/she believes raises issues to be put before this committee. Members of the public may also speak in favour or against applications (All thanks to a policy put forward by Woking LibDems).
Council's have a target of deciding minor applications (the great majority are minor) within 8 weeks. A longer period is allowed for major applications (building on Brewery Road was a major application).
If you are in the immediate vicinity of a planning application you should receive notice of the application from the Planning Department. This notice explains how you can raise any concerns about an application or offer your support for an application. The letter will also contain a deadline for submitting your views. This deadline is important, however, if you wish to respond to an application and receive notification late in the process (maybe after a holiday); you are usually able to do so, as long as you respond before the application goes to committee.
If you do receive notification or hear about an application you can look at the full details on the Public Access for Planning website http://caps.woking.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/tdc_home.aspx I'd also recommend contacting your local councillor if you have any queries on the process or wish to raise concerns. You can find details of all your local councillors at http://www.woking.gov.uk/council/councillors2
You can also view a list of all planning applications in the local papers each week.
There are many planning applications to the Council every year. A great number are not at all contentious. Local councils have a whole series of policies set down which provide a framework against which planning applications are assessed. This allows a number of applications to be decided by planning officers under a process called "delegated powers".
Other applications are put before the planning committee which meets approximately monthly. A councillor can ask for an application which he/she believes raises issues to be put before this committee. Members of the public may also speak in favour or against applications (All thanks to a policy put forward by Woking LibDems).
Council's have a target of deciding minor applications (the great majority are minor) within 8 weeks. A longer period is allowed for major applications (building on Brewery Road was a major application).
If you are in the immediate vicinity of a planning application you should receive notice of the application from the Planning Department. This notice explains how you can raise any concerns about an application or offer your support for an application. The letter will also contain a deadline for submitting your views. This deadline is important, however, if you wish to respond to an application and receive notification late in the process (maybe after a holiday); you are usually able to do so, as long as you respond before the application goes to committee.
If you do receive notification or hear about an application you can look at the full details on the Public Access for Planning website http://caps.woking.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/tdc_home.aspx I'd also recommend contacting your local councillor if you have any queries on the process or wish to raise concerns. You can find details of all your local councillors at http://www.woking.gov.uk/council/councillors2
You can also view a list of all planning applications in the local papers each week.
British Democracy in 2010
Two events today have made me think about the state of British democracy in 2010. The first was Gordon Brown's interview with Piers Morgan. This seemed to me a totally scripted and rehearsed performance. Describing it as an interview was something of a misnomer. Discussions between our Prime Minister and Mr Morgan were interspersed with short films in which colleagues, friends and family sang the praises of Gordon. What place is there in our democracy for an hour of television time to be taken up by promotion of one man and the party he leads?
I learnt of the second event whilst watching Gordon's "interview". On Sunday the BNP forcibly removed a Times journalist from one of their meeetings. Their leader is quoted as saying "We will carry on throwing The Times out until they report the truth". I wonder how long before other press representatives are excluded by these people? Hardly democracy in action.
I learnt of the second event whilst watching Gordon's "interview". On Sunday the BNP forcibly removed a Times journalist from one of their meeetings. Their leader is quoted as saying "We will carry on throwing The Times out until they report the truth". I wonder how long before other press representatives are excluded by these people? Hardly democracy in action.
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