Letter: How We Independent Councillors Work Together in Tandridge

Published on: 17 Feb, 2019
Updated on: 17 Feb, 2019

From Catherine Sayer

Independent councillor, Tandridge District Council

In response to: Do the Independents Really Want to Follow Epsom & Ewell’s Example?

As an Independent residents’ association councillor on Tandridge District Council in East Surrey, I thought it might be helpful to set out how it works for us.

Many of us have only recently been elected because, like Guildford, Independents are new on the scene here. We had tremendous election success last May – my own result was Oxted & Limpsfield Residents Group 1,531; Conservatives 548; Labour 100; Liberal Democrats 85. And that was on a high turnout of 51.6%.

We ended up with a group of nine councillors. So, we were really starting from scratch. We decided to have a leader (Jackie Wren) so there is a central point of contact but to find the most democratic way possible of making decisions.

Jackie emails us all for an opinion and we respond asap – that way decisions can be taken fast. If a member of the group has particular expertise on an issue, then they will be the spokesperson on it. And if one of us disagrees on a particular matter, there is no pressure on them to toe the line and they can say what they think best represents their residents’ views.

We believe this gives us the best shot at fairly representing us all.

We have a lot more candidates standing this May and hopefully will end up as a much larger group, but we don’t see why this relaxed approach to leadership shouldn’t continue to work well and to mean that we can take fast, democratic decisions that properly represent all our residents.

Responses to Letter: How We Independent Councillors Work Together in Tandridge

Nicholas White Reply

February 18, 2019 at 2:59 pm

I am one of the nine Independent district councillors on Tandridge District Council (TDC) that Catherine Sayer referred to in her letter.

The reason that I put my name forward as an Independent was because TDC was not listening to the views of the electorate. I, at a General Election, would vote Conservative as would most of the residents, I suspect, in my ward and probably in most of the area South of the M25. I believe the same is also likely to be applicable in Guildford.

My ward, Dormansland and Felcourt, is very rural and part of it is AONB. When I campaigned I declared that I was Conservative when it came to a general election but for the local election I would be completely apolitical as I am responsible for representing the views of every person within the community.

This astounded a number of people both Conservative and Labour and they said that they had never thought about that before and said it changed their thinking. Being able to look people straight in the eyes conveys so much more than reading just the written words.

I believe for an Independent Candidate it is critical to call on every house in the ward concerned. I found that in a number of roads that were not necessarily Conservative orientated they told me, “You are the first person to call on me in 20 years.” The Conservatives have for many years taken it for granted that they were the only party and therefore did not need to call on every resident.
Rodger Boyd Reply

February 19, 2019 at 12:22 pm

I am a Tandridge resident and I have to say that having Independents on our council has been a breath of fresh air.

Traditionally we’ve had a Tory council that voted en masse under instruction from their leader. Now we’ve got councillors who are prepared to challenge and to vote for what is best for their residents.

The local electorate has realised that having an Independent councillor isn’t a barrier to progress and that, on many occasions, it can actually be more beneficial to vote for a candidate who is not shackled to party policies.

The proof in this change of attitude is highlighted in the figures, three years ago we had 41 Tory councillors, that’s now down to 22 with a very good chance of a few more going in May.
Chris Farr Reply

February 19, 2019 at 5:14 pm

I, like Catherine and other Independent resident’s councillors, stood for election in Tandridge last May. Just before the 2016 elections, the council had 35 Conservative councillors, now there are just 22 Conservatives. Along the way, Independents have seen voting swings of as much as 49% away from longstanding councillors.

Since May I am pleased to say, in Tandridge, Independents together with resident group councillors have worked together well using an agreed leader who ensures all members understand and have an input on any issue. By the very nature of being free of any party control, decisions required are arrived at through fair and measured debate.

The principle of non-partisan members in local government is one I would support since, to me, it removes a layer of national party politics and helps to put control back locally.

It is a measure of the interest Independent councillors generate and the work carried out for residents that for the coming elections we have attracted younger candidates, proof perhaps that where there is hope of change people will stand up to support it.