By Martin Giles The leader of the new West Surrey Shadow Authority wasted no time in trying to assure residents that localism would remain at the heart of the new council’s agenda despite the centralising nature of the Government’s local government reorganisation. The newly elected shadow council…

Challenges Facing Ash: Rising Costs, Council Restructuring and a New Neighbourhood Plan

By David Reading The new chair of Ash Parish Council says the future will hold strong challenges for Ash including the pressures of rising costs and complications resulting from local government reorganisation. Cllr Michael Moriarty, who takes over from Cllr Fiona White, has noted that the establishment…

East Surrey Council Holds Inaugural Meeting

By Chris Caulfield local democracy reporter The first ever meeting of East Surrey Council, described as a “moment and a milestone”, has taken place. The newly-formed council sat on Wednesday, May 20, when it went through the formalities of setting up a working constitution, and making key…

Insights: The Gathering Storm – Part 1

By Bernard Quoroll This is the first of a number Insight pieces which I hope will contribute to the thinking about how the new West Surrey Council should evolve and engage with citizens and why it is important.   My credentials for making these assertions are that I…

Inaugural West Surrey Shadow Council Meeting About To Be Held

By Chris Caulfield local democracy reporter The new West Surrey Shadow Council will meet for the first time today (May 21), giving voters and early look at how the new authorities could be run. The new East Surrey Council met yesterday. The two councils were elected following…

Surrey Police Reorganise to Mirror Local Government Changes

Surrey Police is reorganising to a two division structure to strengthen modernisation and align with Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). Following a detailed review of its “Target Operating Model” the constabulary began operating across two divisions on Sunday, May 10 . The move from three to two divisions closely…

Inspector Rejects McDonald’s Fast Food Plan On Edge of Nature Reserve

By David Reading Fast food chain McDonald’s has lost its appeal against the refusal of planning permission for a drive-through restaurant on the edge of the Tice’s Meadow nature reserve, between Tongham and Badshot Lea. The Tice’s Meadow Bird Group (TMBG) had raised major concerns about the…

Police Seek Public’s Help To Find Wanted Man

Surrey Police are appealing for the public’s help to locate Muhammad Ali, aged 21, of no fixed abode, who is wanted in connection with police investigations into three assaults which took place in Woking between March 12 and 13. He is described as 5ft 10 inches tall,…

Train-hopping Burglar Now Behind Bars

A serial burglar who used the rail network to target homes across Surrey and Sussex has been brought to justice. Darren…

Dragon Interview: Rabbits Out of the Hat at Farnham Maltings

By Isabelle Trubshaw Old-style magic feats have survived the test of time, but what if magic took on a new theatrical…

Restaurant Review: The Third Monkey – A “Crabulous” Night Out!

The Third Monkey did not charge for the food reviewed. The Third Monkey, a Gastropub headed up by Chef Adam Fisher…

Lido Pool Covers Are Proving To Be a Success

Long-awaited pool covers have been fitted to the iconic Guildford Lido 17 years after they were first proposed, to cut costs…

50 Years of Sax and Drugs and Rock ’n’ Roll

By Charles Whiting Dragon music reporter The Blockheads at the Boileroom, Saturday, May 23. Sean Lock, the late, much-lamented comedian, played…