This was meant to be a brief round-up of some of the things that have happened since the Local Committee meeting on 22nd October; then there so much to write about, it grew.  But first, an explanation:

“IMHO”

Last week I got my over-60s bus pass. (Genuinely triffic - very pleased.) But it set me thinking, at this stage of my life, probably I ought to be sure enough of my opinions, and confident enough in myself and the people whose views I value, to express these views directly. I’m not very practised at this - what I normally aim for is to give a factual, reasoned and evidenced account or argument.

So I’m going to give it a go every now and then, under the heading IMHO (’in my humble opinion’, which I guess is webspeak for ‘this is me. Like it or loathe it.’

CEO Visit

David McNulty, the new CEO of Surrey County Council, has set himself the task of spending half a day with every one of the eighty Surrey County Councillors in their Division. Quite a task - but effectively orchestrated and documented first by his assistant at County Hall, and then by one of our Local Partnership Team directed to join the tour and make notes.

He came to Knaphill/Goldsworth Park recently, looked round Lakers and Beaufort Primary School, then walked along Knaphill High Street with me taking in the old and new libraries before stopping for tea and apple cake at the Kings House Coffee shop. Borough Councillors Denzil Coulson, Melanie Whitehand and Olly Wells had been able to join us, and that gave him a chance to get an idea of the sorts of issues in this part of Surrey.

He was, as he put it, ‘in listening mode’ - he is clearly a bright cookie, and it will be interesting to see how much both the style and content of the way things happen in SCC changes. You can read his SCC blog here , though unfortunately when I posted this it didn’t seem to have been updated since early October - I hope Surrey is not having too sapping an effect on him and more will appear soon. He seems to have kept blogging fairly consistently at Trafford, his last authority.

Quiz

David McNulty had to leave eariler than we initially expected because he had an appointment with Lady Toulson, the High Sheriff of Surrey.

This had unexpected benefits since ‘Who is currently Surrey’s High Sheriff ?’ came up at our Libdem Quiz the very next day. The team I was in won by one point. Thank you, Lady Toulson.

No Saving Pegasus

The Cabinet ‘reconsidered’ their decision to stop the Pegasus Bus scheme at the end of this school year early this week, but only to confirm what they had agreed. This was very disappointing for the cross-party group, supported by thetransport committee, that had managed to get the issue referred back to them.

One of these was David Goodwin, a Guildford County Councillor. His comment was:

“This was a pilot project which has not been properly assessed for other options such us increased fares, reduced costs and alternative sources of funding. No such quantitative report has been produced to demonstrate that the service could be made more viable. If the Conservatives had been serious about providing the service they would have carried out a detailed feasibility study, which has not been the case.”

Deposed Leader of the Council, County Councillor Nick Skellett, was not allowed to speak at the Cabinet meeting, although many had seen Pegasus as his ‘pet project’.

This decision will be a blow to parents in Guildford, but I understand there is ongoing discussion in the schools concerned about whether anything can be done to make the situation at all easier for them.