Here is TPA South West Surrey Organiser Peter Webb's February Campaign Diary. Hat's off to him, in one month he's been regularly quoted on the front page of the Surrey Advertiser, continues to hold Councillors to account and coordinates letter writing campaigns with other SW Surrey TPA Activists. IF you'd like to do exactly what Peter's doing, then get involved today. Contact me or call our Grassroots Hotline on 0203 051 8144 to carry on the campaign for lower taxes and better government.
Brought forward: Nil response to call for volunteers for Guildford BC Independent Remuneration Panel re Councillors expenses and allowances.
1st Surrey Ad published letter on Equality and Diversity procedures as non-productive and wasteful of resources.
4th Submitted a Response on own account to BGI (Better Government Initiative). Messaged County Leader Nick Skellett re schools financial accountability and charges to schools budgets for services by County Hall. Chased Audit Commission re audit of Use of Resources, Surrey County confusion over schools accounting, and delay in audited Annual Reports and Accounts
6th Asked to comment by Surrey Ad on Anne Milton employment of Husband @£13k over 2 years
8th Quoted in Surrey Ad on 4.8% County Precept rise 2008-09. Quoted on TPA survey of middle management pay in local govt. Peter Rauch letter to Surrey Ad published on County confusion about numbers employed. Quoted on front page of Guildford Surrey Ad re MP Anne Milton employing Husband. Talk to Wonersh U3A on Council Tax in Perspective and Lower Taxes and Better Government
12th Wrote MP Jeremy Hunt with 5 big questions (see also c/fd below)
15th Received detailed reply from County Council re schools financial accountability. Await changes in reporting/ financial interpretation.
21st Forwarded C Melsom (Isitfair) call for active eg letters to Ministers re imprisoned council tax protester Richard Fitzmaurice.
22nd Personally messaged Ministers re above. Audit Commission answer (see 4th) received
25th Wrote/messaged all Surrey Councils seeking prompt Annual Report and Accounts (supported by Audit Commission)
28th Talk to Cranleigh Rotarians on Council Tax in Perspective and Lower Taxes and Better Government
29th Steve Bowers letter published in Surrey Advertsiser challenging County leader Nick Skellett to justify tax council tax precept increase.
C’fd In concert with Peter Rauch (Guildford – Anne Milton MP) message Jeremy Hunt MP re their involvement with County on 2008-09 grants and council tax precept – including our report of 23rd Meeting at County Hall. P Rauch leads on arranging meeting with Anne Milton with Steve Bowers and PW (25th April date unfixed) to get answers on question to be put. County Leader Nick Skellett continues not to answer letter of 19th November (copy handed to him on 23rd January- subsequent PA promises. Soon to contact offline TPA supporters.