Surrey South West TaxPayers' Alliance and Surrey Tax Action Group Organiser Peter Webb updates us on the campaign in Surrey:
Pre and ongoing: Prolonged dialogue with County Council on the effectiveness of roads contracts management and work supervision.
Reflecting on development of TPA branch organisation
2nd November: Non-job letter on 3 Relationship Managers published in Surrey Advertiser
Sent above to all County councillors with comment
Sent to all other Surrey papers
3rd November: Made the front page in Surrey Times with a quote in a report on MPs expenses.
5th: Enquiry from Staines Herald following circulation to all other Surrey newspapers of non-job letter (but from outside their catchment area) about 3 Relationship Managers. Put in touch with STAG supporter in area.
7th: Replied to MP Jeremy Hunt letter of 31st October on council tax and localisation. Stressed government malfunction and basis of need for Better Government
Anne Milton MP wrote inconsequently after my letter to her on Grant settlement 2008-09 following phone discussion at her request.
11th: Steve Bowers writes (published) West Sussex County Times re pensions inequity
16th: Non-job letter, Senior school and Parent Consultant, published in Surrey Advertiser.
18th: Circulated latest non-job letter to 80 county councillors with comment and to all other Surrey newspapers.
19th: Letter to County Leader Nick Skellett introducing TPA, chasing outstandings and anticipating next precept increase.
Letter to Surrey Advertiser re Equality and Diversity procedures as revealed on CC web-site.
Completed exchange with top of Waverley Borough Council re short form annual report and accounts to 2006-07. Located on web-site. Audit Comm joined me in commending 2005-06 version.
Steve Bowers writes again to West Sussex County Times re top paid West Sussex County Councillors
20th: Brian Haran of Croydon Advertiser called for more info and pic after 18th
21st: E&Q letter copied to all County councillors with comment
To MPs Jeremy Hunt and Anne Milton “we don’t hear you complaining” about £billions to Europe ‘good for Britain’ when accounts not audited for 13 years
22nd: E&Q letter sent to all other Surrey papers
Wrote to District Auditor (cc Nick Skellett and Chief Executive Richard Shaw) questioning audit of County use of resources (poor ?) in light of non-job and risk analysis and Equality and Diversity procedures.
26th: Response from County Leader Nick Skellett re Relationship Managers.
Comment sought by Surrey Advertiser regarding Independent Review Panel report proposing 27% increase in Guildford Borough Council Members allowances and expenses. Seek volunteers to apply for position on IRP.
28th: County invite STAG for 23rd January pre-budget talk alongside Business and Industry leaders.
30th: County Councillpr Ernest Mallett (Residents Party, West Molesey) will to sign up to TPA.
Generally: TPA leaflets to Angela, Barry and Ernie for distribution, and Alastair Campbell.
Well done to Peter on a fantastic month with some impressive breakthroughs in local Surrey newspapers and the County Council. Keep up the excellent work!