Resigning Councillor Issues Statement

Published on: 24 May, 2018
Updated on: 29 May, 2018

Cllr Tony Rooth

Tony Rooth who resigned from the Conservative group at Guildford Borough Council yesterday (May 23, 2018) issued a statement explaining his action to The Guildford Dragon NEWS today.

It is published below in full:

“It is with regret and sadness that I resign immediately both from the Conservative group on Guildford Borough Council and the Guildford Conservative Association.

“I have been a Conservative councillor on Guildford Borough Council for the last 15 years during which time I have been Council Leader, Lead Member for Finance, for Housing and Social Welfare and recently Housing Board chairman.  I have been a member of the Planning Committee throughout my time as a councillor.

“I have represented the residents of Pilgrims ward throughout those 15 years and I will continue to help them fight their corner, such as the recent campaign to deter potential speculative development on AONB land at Wanborough Fields.

“I shall sit as an Independent councillor until May 2019 based on principles to:

– be independent of party politics, which plays too large a role in local government;

– investigate council policies and proposals across our borough, thoroughly, independently and with integrity;

– inform, include  and involve our borough’s residents and communities fully in the council’s decision-making process;

– improve the council’s respect for our residents and their respect for the council.

“I regret that some may see the current leadership of Cllrs Spooner and Furniss in a different light and compare to a dictatorship. I have questioned, challenged or put to the test their decisions like:

– the Pop Up Village which has lost over £1 million of council taxpayers’ money;

– the partnership with Dongying, a Chinese city very different to Guildford;

– projects such as the proposed Walnut Tree bridge and the Tunsgate setts.

“There are other projects on the horizon which deserve detailed investigation and analysis such as:

– the potential investment of £81 million in student accommodation, obviously intended for Surrey University, although not publicly acknowledged;

– the future of retail and high streets in general and Guildford in particular;

– town centre development including North Street;

– the definite need for housing especially affordable built on brownfield sites.

“Therefore, I have decided to take my time, commitment and experience outside the party political environment and continue as an Independent councillor so as to fully present my own views (and hopefully those of some residents) towards the future of Guildford borough.

“Finally, I would like to thank my colleagues in the Conservative group for their support in different forms over many years.  I may not necessarily agree with all the views of my fellow councillors, including those of different political persuasions, but no group or individual councillor (including myself) has a monopoly of ideas, good or not so good!”

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