John Boughtflower sets out Agenda John Boughtflower sets out Agenda 7

Spelthorne Borough Council We will be reviewing the plan to develop Staineshas been a staunch Conservaupon-Thames involving a much wider group of tive authority for far more both Councillors and residents. We will listen to many decades than I care to those local residents who wish to push for a reremember. When I was duced speed limit on smaller local roads –this is selected as the new leader of not only important for road safety issues, but also the twenty-three Conservative to contribute to our desire to become a carbon neuCouncillors elected in May tral Borough as soon as is practicably possible. 2015, I was confident we I am launching a new scheme to liaise more closely would remain the ruling politwith recognised Residents Associations in the Borical party. However, that was not to be and ough to seek their points-of-view on a whole host ical p Conservatives now find ourselves with no overall of issues and would welcome input from individual Conservatives now find ourselves with no overall majority, yet the leading party with more than twice as many Councillors than any other group. I also recognise this is not what you as residents majority, yet the leading party with more than twice as many Councillors than any other group. I also recognise this is not what you as residents voted for in the last election and you will no doubt feel let down by those members who have forsaken residents on the things that matter to them most. There will be more announcements on our new ‘Residents Forums’ in the coming weeks. Our biggest challenge by far however, is Surrey County Councils plan to turn the whole of the voted for in the last election and you will no doubt their political roots and now remain on the Council county into one single unitary authority. This is feel let down by those members who have forsaken as independents with no real mandate or clear deeply concerning not only to Spelthorne but also policies. their political roots and now remain on the Council the other ten Borough authorities in Surrey managas independents with no real mandate or clear I for one, look forward to leading a more open, ing services on behalf of their residents. One single democratic, multi- policies. party Council where all recogset of Councillors and one single town hall for 1.2 I for one, look forward to leading a more open, nised political parties gain an increased involvemillion residents will not provide true local democdemocratic, multi nised political parties gain an increased involvement and become more active in driving forward a wider inclusive agenda. Already since becoming Leader I have launched a ment and become more active in driving forward a wider inclusive agenda. Already since becoming Leader I have launched a number of new initiatives which will bring about a broader range of comments and will provide a positive opportunity for new and exciting ideas to racy for anyone. Even the government themselves recognise unitary authorities should have as a maximum 300 to 500,000 residents to make it fair and equitable. Surrey County Council and the its current Leader, Tim Oliver, who over recent years have made cuts number of new initiatives which will bring about a come forward from different political points of to vital services in the county, are already using view. broader range of comments and will provide a council tax payers money to pay financial consultpositive opportunity for new and exciting ideas to Amongst my first announcements has been to ants to investigate cost saving changes without any come forward from different political points of launch a number of key task groups including one consultation with residents. I along with other view. to review the governance of the Council and possiCouncillors, the Chief Executive and Senior OfficAmongst my first announcements has been to bly move it from a Leader and Cabinet model back ers in Spelthorne are very much against the new launch a number of key task groups including one to review the governance of the Council and possibly move it from a Leader and Cabinet model back to a Committee based system. I have launched new to a Committee based system. I have launched new tasks groups to look at the Local Plan on Housing, Climate Change, on our Property Investments. I have also requested a review on the manner in which our financial reporting is undertaken. It’s proposal and we will be contacting residents to explain what it will mean to them and seek their views on the matter. One key direct action I have already taken is to increase the grants each Councillor has at his or her tasks groups to look at the Local Plan on Housing, vital Councillors and residents recognise the imdiscretion to support good causes in their own Climate Change, on our Property Investments. I portance of everyone understanding clearly how wards. With immediate effect each ward Councilhave also requested a review on the manner in we use and protect the public funds with which we lor now has £1,500 to distribute. If you run a volare entrusted. which our financial reporting is undertaken. It untary group or residents initiative or wish to imvital Councillors and residents recognise the im- Most importantly I wish us to focus much more on prove areas of your ward please contact my fellow portance of everyone understanding clearly how listening to and working with residents in the colleagues and they will can make every considerawe use and protect the public funds with which we Borough and push the focus more away from busition to assist with some financial help. are entrusted. Most importantly I wish us to focus much more on listening to and working with residents in the ness building and investing in major commercial opportunities to developing and maintaining the services our residents really want. I look forward to serving as Leader of this very special borough in these challenging times.

Borough and push the focus more away from business building and investing in major commercial opportunities to developing and maintaining the 7 To advertise call Monica on 07979 808991 Or email monica@villagematters.co.uk services our residents really want.