Epsom & Ewell CLP Newsletter
Council Budget
On Tuesday evening (19/02/2019) Epsom & Ewell Council, dominated by the Residents Association (RA), set our council tax for the financial year commencing April 2019. They agreed an increase of 2.99%, which is 0.01% below the maximum a council can set without putting the increase out for approval by a public referendum. Thus Band D properties will pay an additional £5.76 per annum. This underplays the impact of this rise, as there are a lower proportion of Band D properties in Epsom & Ewell than the national average.
Cllr Kate Chinn set out Labour’s response arguing for our manifesto pledge which was to freeze council tax rises funded by abolishing councillors personal allowances. Again, the Council is spending more on councillors’ attendance allowances than what is being raised by a 2.99% increase in council tax. There also remains a £550,000 black hole in the council’s finances in the next financial year, with no plan to address the financial shortfall. It is safely tucked away until after the local elections in May! You won’t be surprised that your Labour Group voted against the RA council tax rises.
Read Kate Chinn’s response here
Local Elections 2019
The plans for the local elections in May are taking shape. As a reminder, all the councillors on Epsom & Ewell council along with few seats in Mole Valley (Ashtead) and Reigate & Banstead (Nork and Tattenham) councils in our constituency are up for election. We have a long tradition of fielding a candidate in all the seats and we are aiming to do this again this year. If you have not already committed to standing as a Labour “pioneer” candidate in your ward, please contact your Executive Committee at the addresses below.
You will also remember that our Political Education Officer, Kevin Davies, facilitated a couple of meetings last year where we discussed ideas to be included in our manifesto. This has formed the platform for the election campaign starting in March. Kevin (thanks Kevin!) has included your input into the draft manifesto e-mailed to you recently. I hope you will take a little time to read this. We would be delighted to hear your feedback.
Regards
Cllr Rob Geleit.
@ee_labour
http://www.epsomandewell-labour.org.uk/
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