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The leader of Surrey County Council, Tim Oliver, has written to the government saying the existing two-tier system should be replaced with one single council. With 1.2 million residents this would make it the largest unitary council in England. The Federation of Surrey Green Parties has issued a statement in response to the proposal, asking for public consultation and safeguards for effective local democracy and local decision making, alongside the desire for efficient administration.

You can read the statement here: Read More »

Campaigners are very excited to have secured permission for a Judicial Review of Surrey County Council’s decision to allow 20 years of oil extraction at Horse Hill. The judge gave permission on the basis that one of the arguments against drilling, put forward by claimant Sarah Finch, had not been fully considered. This is good news – but also means more legal costs for the campaign group.

To launch the crowdfunding effort to raise £10,000 for legal expenses, a free public webinar is taking place on 24th September, starting at 8pm. You can hear from Rowan Leigh, solicitor for the campaign; Sarah Finch, the claimant; and Kirsty Clough, author of the new report “Why we don’t need more onshore oil in the UK”.

Book here for the free webinar

You can support the crowdfunder relaunch by sending a 20-second video message! Please get in touch to find out how.

The Green Party’s press release on the Reigate high street cycle lane:

It is widely known that Surrey County Council’s current highways contract will be coming to an end in 2022, but the fact that the process to appoint a new supplier starts this week has come as a surprise to councillors. A webinar is planned with interested parties on 08 July, with an article in the construction industry press confirming that contractors have been alerted to plans for a maintenance framework contract of up to 21 years, worth £800m. (See https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2020/06/23/highways-firms-on-notice-for-800m-surrey-deal/ for details made public).

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East Surrey Green Party Constitution

Agreed at meeting 15 February 2016

Below is a complete copy of the East Surrey Greens’ Constitution Read More »

“Have you found any quantifiable benefits of this application. The answer is no, because, councillors, there are none in this three-year exploratory proposal”. – Chris Britton, Dunsfold resident

Dunsfold residents unite against drilling plans

Plans to begin drilling for oil and gas in Dunsfold, Surrey have been rejected after a tense vote by local councillors, eventually vetoing the plans 6-5. A successful campaign by local residents brought concerns over the site’s impact on climate change, pollution, highway safety, noise and on local businesses to attention and as a result the planning has been rejected. However, the battle is not over and the company can make amendments to their proposal and reapply in the future. But with 86% of local residents opposed to any drilling, the people of Dunsfold can be confident in their ability to challenge any further proposals.

Read the full story here: Drillordrop.com/dunsfold

The Corona Virus changed our way of lives in a matter of weeks. Many people have lost loved ones, jobs and lives to the disease. As we begin to rebuild from the uncertainty and chaos of lockdown, how will Surrey progress? Will we see a return to the old normal, of pollution and needless travel? Or will the opportunity for a greener and fairer future be seized with both hands and will we see the beginning of a new approach to life?

Join our panel of local and district councillors on the 9th July, 7:30pm, for a free and interactive discussion on how Surrey can achieve a green recovery from COVID-19.

If you want to book your free place on the discussion follow this link: Surrey’s Green Recovery.

Panel – Ruth Ritter (Redhill councillor), Jonathan Essex (Surrey and Redhill councillor) and Steve Williams (Waverley Borough councillor).

Repost from the Nextdoor page:

Surrey Libraries IT Helpline is here! Surrey Libraries IT Help Team – we listen to you! Don’t be shy – grab the phone and speak with us! 0300 200 1008 (Mon-Fri 9-5, Sat 10-12 midday). If you prefer, then email libraries@surreycc.gov.uk and ask for a member of library staff to contact you.

If you need support using computers, tablets and smartphones, Surrey Library Service can help with:

• Setting up an account with your favourite supermarket and other online shopping.
• Emailing a photo or saving contact details to your contact list, sending an attachment in an email.
• Ordering your prescription online and sorting out your online appointments with doctors.
• Downloading library ebooks, emagazines and eaudiobooks and using Pressreader application.
• How to keep in touch with your relatives online, and how to use Whatsapp, Skype, Facetime, or Zoom.

Our service is delivered over the internet by library staff. It’s confidential, safe, and free, and if you are an absolute beginner, we will help you to develop your digital skills

Illegal coal mines in India. Photo by Kevin Frayer via Business Insider

Despite the UK government preaching a clean and green approach to energy, significant investments of tax payers’ money has been going into funding fossil fuel development in the global South. According to analysis by Climate Justice Now a total of £3.875bn has been invested into fossil fuel industries since the Paris Agreement in 2016. This effectively locks the countries receiving the investment into a fossil fuel dependent future, the exact future the UK claims to be working so hard to avoid.

Read the full article here: https://theecologist.org/2020/jun/17/uk-funding-fossil-fuels-overseas

Azzees Minott: “The government’s inquiry into the impact of Covid-19 on BAME people has let communities of colour down”

Angela Davis: “In a society it is not enough to be not-racist, we must be anti-racist.

The Green Party has backed calls for an independent inquiry into the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on black, Asian and minority ethnic people.

Greens of Colour chairperson Azzees Minott said:

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