Tandridge Buzz

David Hodge has been elected as leader of the Conservative Group and is now expected to become leader of Surrey County Council following Dr Andrew Povey’s decision to quit.

Povey and Hodge had been at loggerheads and Hodge quit as deputy leader last week with Povey stepping down this week.

Hodge is expected to become Council leader at the next council meeting on 11 October as the Conservatives have a majority. It is rumored Hodge may now review the controversial parking charges set to hit certain areas in Surrey. Tandridge managed to avoid the charges after a sustained campaign.

“It is an honour to be elected as leader of the Conservative group and I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Surrey as county council leader subject to the decision of the Full Council,” said Hodge.

“Between now and then I will be developing my plans for the future of Surrey and I will announce my new Deputy Leader and Cabinet at the meeting should the meeting confirm me as leader.”

Despite their differences, Hodge paid tribute to the work Povey did as leader and Povey congratulated Hodge on his election.

“As Deputy Leader of the County Council he spearheaded many initiatives that have helped transform the county council,” said Povey.

“I am proud of what we have achieved and I will be working closely with David to ensure there is a smooth handover to him subject to the decision of Full Council.

“Over the past two years we have achieved so much and I am delighted that we can now say that our children’s services and adult social care department are among the most improved in the country.

“We have also been able to find annual savings of more than £4m in our highways services while still improving the speed and quality of road improvements and repairs.

“David should also be proud of the work he has done to find more than £90m of savings through our Public Value Review programme whilst maintaining the highest possible standard of service to residents.”

Hodge was elected to Surrey County Council in May 2005, having previously served on Tandridge District Council between May 1997 and June 2004 where he chaired the Housing Committee.

Surrey County Council leader Dr Andrew Povey is to step down from his position on 11 October to concentrate on his other business interests.

His resignation comes just days after his deputy David Hodge also resigned, following speculation the two had not been seeing eye-to-eye.

It is now widely expected that Hodge will stand for the leadership and is set to be the favourite to land the role.

It is rumored Hodge may now review the controversial parking charges set to hit certain areas in Surrey. Tandridge managed to avoid the charges after a sustained campaign.

Dr Povey said he had been “proud” of what the Conservative-led council had achieved in his time.

“I am proud of what the council has achieved during my leadership and firmly believe the authority is well placed to become a world class organisation,” he said.

“I believe the foundations we have set over the past two years mean the council can now go on to even greater things and whoever takes over as leader can look forward to my support as they continue this work.”

The whole of Surrey will have super-fast broadband coverage by 2013.

That’s the boast from Surrey County Council (SCC) as it was awarded £1.3m of Government money to ensure 100% coverage in the county by 2013.

The cash will be used to connect those places in Surrey — particularly rural areas — that will miss out on BT’s national roll-out of super-fast broadband in the next two years.

With super-fast broadband a music album can be downloaded within 30 seconds and a feature length movie in about five minutes.

Surrey leader Dr Andrew Povey hailed the move as “good news” for homes and businesses. “Poor broadband coverage and slow speeds hold back local businesses and put rural areas at a disadvantage and we are determined to ensure Surrey’s economy and communities continue to thrive,” he said.

Estimates suggest that 20% of Surrey’s homes and businesses would have missed out on superfast broadband under BT’s current plans.

SCC invited bids from private sector companies in May to target those areas and bids are currently being accepted with contracts expected to be finalised by July 2012.

Last year the county council signed up for Race Online — the bid to get as many people using the internet as possible by the end of 2012. It has already helped more than 20,000 get online.Surrey to get 100% superfast broadband coverage

Tough decisions will have to be taken to save Surrey County Council £180m over the next four years — around a quarter of its annual budget — leader Dr Andrew Povey has warned.

Reacting to Chancellor George Osborne’s Comprehensive Spending Review announcement last week, Povey stressed that the council would now have to make every penny count.

The review set out the spending plans for each government department over the next four years and outlined that central government funding to local authorities would fall by about 28% over this period.

But Povey welcomed the news that grants would no longer be ring fenced. “Clearly there are some very tough times ahead but I welcome the freedom the Chancellor has given us by removing the ring fence around grants,” said Povey.

“This flexibility will allow Surrey to find local solutions to local problems. We are best placed to develop services tailored to the needs of our residents and businesses.

“Even ahead of the Chancellor’s announcement, the county council knew it had to save £180m over the next four years, about a quarter of the annual budget. If we don’t make these savings, services would have to be reduced.

“By playing our part in taking action to shore up the nation’s finances our children and grandchildren won’t be saddled with huge debts. A lot has already been done — a year of planning ahead has left us in a strong position to limit the adverse impact on residents — but the gravity of the nation’s financial position means many more savings will be needed.”

The Council is to hold a public debate, called Have Your Say, at Salesian School, Chertsey, on 18 November between 7pm and 9pm. It will feature key public, voluntary and business sector figures. To book a place at the event, email enquiries@surreyhaveyoursay.info.

“It is especially important in the current climate that we make sure every penny spent provides residents with value for money so it is essential that they are involved in the changes that take place.
“That is why all Surrey’s public sector organisations have teamed up to call on the county’s residents to give their views through our Have Your Say campaign.”