Epsom & Ewell Borough Council have increased their expenditure by 6% in their budget for 2004/2005 and their share of the Council Tax by 4.75%. The RA party rejected a Lib Dem amendment proposing a smaller 4% rise.
The Conservative's spending plans outlined by Shadow Chancellor Oliver Letwin this week could mean additional Council Tax rises of 10%. Amongst their uncosted plans for two tier health and education services and a reduction in money available to fight crime and improve our transport system, is a proposal to reduce spending on local government by £1.9billion. Compensating for this reduction could mean a rise of 10% in Council Tax.
Charles Kennedy has given his personal pledge of support to the man tipped to become the Party's first non-white elected parliamentarian this June.
Surrey County Council Conservatives' claims that extra funding has been put into education, social services and road maintenance by sweeping cuts in administration and bureaucracy could be described politely as misleading or perhaps more accurately as downright lies, according to Councillor Janet Maines, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council. Most of the extra funding in the budget has come either from the government or from prudential borrowing says Mrs Maines.
The District Councillor for East Ward, Gill Jenkins has announced that she is resigning, with immediate effect, from the District Council.
The latest Populus Opinion Poll in The Times shows that the Lib Dems are gaining ground on Michael Howard's Conservative party. The poll showed the Lib Dems up 7% to 24%, while the Tories fell 4% to 31%. Labour also fell 4%.