tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48047817179616807722012-02-17T13:25:33.313ZDiary for Stuart MacLeod - Conservative County Councillor, proudly representing Windlesham, Bagshot & Lightwater EastRobin Horsleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01140254059358636351noreply@blogger.comBlogger1471100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-61481245493268415302012-02-17T12:20:00.004Z2012-02-17T12:37:06.446Z

Friday 17th FebruaryThey are here. As part of the new street lighting contract, the County Council is replacing the old orange sodium street lights with new white street lamps and I'm pleased to say that work has commenced on the Surrey Heath streets. I say I'm pleased. I like to see that taxpayers' money is being spent in ways that can actually be seen, but while some residents have expressed

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-57014526581035415492012-02-17T12:00:00.004Z2012-02-17T13:04:55.169Z

Friday 17th FebruaryMore good news for Lightwater residents - I've managed to get the proposed pedestrian crossing on the list for works this summer.Well, actually I urged, cajoled and otherwise threatened my fellow Surrey Heath County Councillors to let me put it higher on the list last autumn, but I can confirm that it is now formally in the works programme for 2012/13. This is great news for

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-31844230599582885872012-02-17T11:52:00.003Z2012-02-17T12:00:34.736Z

Friday 17th FebruaryLate in 2010 I received an email from the secretary of the Windlesham Club, Reg Rapley, about some parking issues. During the evenings, it appeared that parking of patrons on the Kennel Lane bend was causing not only access issues, but also an accident hazard.Reg and I met to discuss the issue and I was clear to point out that there would regrettably no quick fix. We would

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Friday 17th FebruaryWho wants to pay more tax? Not me, that's for certain. So it was with a measure of trepidation that I attended the most recent Full County Council meeting in order to vote on a Council Tax increase for this year.The background to this is all to do with the centrally requested 'Council Tax Freeze', where Eric Pickles suggested that councils did not raise council tax this year

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Friday 17th FebruaryYou may already know, but the County Council decision to move toward the Community Partnered Libraries has now been formally subjected to a Judicial Review. Its difficult to comment specifically about this because of the legal nature, but discussion can certainly continue in the round.Essentially, a Judicial Review can be applied for whenever an interested party deems that a

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-45762625753445421302012-01-18T10:15:00.002Z2012-01-18T10:48:49.054Z

Wednesday 18th JanuaryHappy New Year!The work continues apace locally. The winter has seen a number of issues continuing and new ones coming to light. Herewith a sum up of whats been going on;Windlesham SuregryA number of locally interested residents have taken up the baton in order to see if there might be a solution to the proposed closure of the Windlesham Doctor's Suregry. Less a surgery and

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-82162230969195087642011-11-03T13:09:00.004Z2011-11-03T13:16:34.361Z

Thursday 3rd NovemberIts been something of a month. More Bagshot library meetings, discussions about changes to the Youth Service, ongoing plans regards the Windlesham Doctor's Surgery, the A30 bus lane, the Red Road speed limit and lots more; I haven't yet mentioned the Leadership and Cabinet changes at County Hall!So, this is just a quick note to let you all know that while the blog seems

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-40627119077190353962011-09-24T11:42:00.006+01:002011-09-24T12:16:13.106+01:00

Wednesday 21st SeptemberI've said this a couple of times publicly recently, so I'll repeat it here again.Its pretty wretched being an elected representative at present. Time and again I am asked to assist with a cut to a service, or a closure of something else, or the repair of a road, etc etc, and regrettably the answer is almost always the same: the government don't have any surplus money. This

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-21284031679130587252011-09-24T11:22:00.003+01:002011-09-24T11:41:47.549+01:00

Thursday 15th SeptemberI had the opportunity to attend a pair of meetings last week as part of the continued efforts to save Bagshot Library.I say save - the County Council Leadership have, as part of the money saving exercises required to save £1m per week across all County departments, elected to encourage the smaller libraries to form Community Partnership models once they have been removed

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-17994961747170000162011-08-10T12:48:00.004+01:002011-08-10T13:06:23.295+01:00

Wednesday 9th August Fortunately for this part of the world, we have so far been spared any of the violence recently seen in London and other parts of the UK. Frankly, while the images are absolutely dumbfounding, I happen to believe that some of this behaviour is somewhat inevitable, due to a complex set of circumstances that have arisen as a result of a society where social responsibility

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-84593335016520997342011-08-02T15:53:00.005+01:002011-08-02T16:06:23.677+01:00

Monday 1st August.Apologies blog readers. No, I haven't been in the pub for three months, although frankly some of the recent and ongoing current events are so unbelievable, one has to check oneself to ensure its not all some boozy hallucination.I have been working for you on a number of issues and have been spending a fair bit of time up in Kingston at County Hall in addition to being out &

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-35413879036897119932011-05-05T13:17:00.004+01:002011-05-05T13:27:47.086+01:00

Friday 29th AprilYes. I caught the fever.I raised the flag at home, donned the most british item I had in the wardrobe and having watched the wedding, marched the family down into Bagshot to attend the wedding day street party.Perhaps it was the balmy weather; perhaps it was the cool, refreshing beverages; perhaps it was the superb effort made by organisers & attendees; or perhaps it was simply

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Thursday 5th MayHere we are again: Canvassing completed. Leaflet deliveries undertaken. Flag-boards up. Rosettes dusted off. Yes, election day has cometh.Locally, I sense that the Conservative Party is on pretty safe ground. The canvassing that Natalie, Rebecca & I have undertaken seems to suggest so, with even some past Liberal voters either pledging Tory support or suggesting that they may not

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-52128176219704732952011-04-26T13:32:00.004+01:002011-04-26T17:01:35.472+01:00

Tuesday 26th AprilI read a letter this morning in this week's 'Camberley News & Mail' and felt compelled to write. It may not be published by the newspaper, but herewith the letter."A Question of PrioritiesDear Sir,I sympathise with a great deal that Mrs Williams has to say specifically regards the economic challenges currently facing Bagshot (Letters, April 22nd), although I sense her formidable

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Tuesday 19th AprilWhile out on the doorsteps this week, the subject on a majority of voter's lips was the 'Voting Referendum' rather than any pressing local issues. Seemingly, there is a great deal of confusion regards the referendum and the controversy surrounding each choice.Herewith the BBC explanation of the issues:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11243595The Party take on it is to vote

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-36563901229993835602011-04-08T11:31:00.003+01:002011-04-08T11:41:34.825+01:00

Thursday 7th April.Spring has sprung - but where did that last month go? Buses, libraries, mosques, roadsigns, Deepcut - its all still going on locally, and further to my recent attendance at the 'Bagshot Society - Meet the Councillors' meeting back in March, I shall be commenting again on each separately soon.In the meantime, there are local elections on 5th May and I shall be out on the

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-86864613999975213572011-02-23T17:13:00.005Z2011-02-23T17:25:58.649Z

Wednesday 23rd FebruaryAmber Jenkins, County Council officer, reminded me this morning that I still have some funding available through the 'Member Allocation Fund'. Each year, the County Council allows a small fund to each County Councillor to dispense, subject to criteria, towards small projects that would benefit parts of the community uncovered by other means.Historically, the fund has been

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Tuesday 22nd FebruaryI spent the day at County Hall today, in order to attend a meeting of the 'Safer & Stronger Communities' committee, who had convened to discuss among other matters the recent call-in of the Cabinet's Library decision.In brief, Cabinet decisions can be 'called in' by a member of the relevant committee for further discussion, after which the committee can choose to refer the

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Wednesday 2nd FebruaryThose of you who still watch BBC London News may have seen the report on Monday regards some of the ongoing budgetary struggles at County Hall and I was delighted to see some local faces outside 'Bagshot Library'.While there has been a lot of speculation about the future of the library for years, the County Council have always attempted to keep the service open while viable

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-80207305722706342252011-02-02T12:45:00.003Z2011-02-02T13:08:32.818Z

Wednesday 2nd FebruaryAs part of the review of services necessary to budget cuts, the 'Bus Review' consultation ended on January 31st. This particular issue has been the one that has generated the most local interest since my election in 2009 and I received over 120 communications regards a local route that has been put forward in the initial proposals for a reduction in services.On Mondays to

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-20592045888325849482011-01-26T10:04:00.002Z2011-01-26T10:07:42.713Z

They're up. Its in force.I've just been advised that the 20mph Zone is now officially in force. A victory for good sense, determination and community spirit. Let us hope that we can chalk up a similar victory at 'Red Road'.

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-11361166223126644632010-12-16T15:06:00.003Z2010-12-16T15:19:03.372Z

Thursday 16th DecemberPaul Deach, he of the Surrey Heath Residents Blog, has arranged a public meeting this evening at the Deepcut Village Hall in order to raise and discuss some of the important local issues raised by the forthcoming redevelopment of what we know as 'Deepcut Barracks'.Personally, I believe the redevelopment presents, on the whole, a great local opportunity. However, as the

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-30326427467281832462010-11-30T10:54:00.007Z2010-11-30T11:50:42.405Z

Tuesday 30th NovemberIndulge me if you will, blog reader. This post is more of a musing than anything else and regards Michael Gove's quote last Sunday in respect of education. A fortuitous series of events permitted me to attend the 'Royal Grammar School, Guildford' for my secondary education. Schooled locally at a junior level at 'Prior Heath' and 'Ravenscote' in Surrey Heath, my parents sent

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-85532002764776718832010-11-29T12:49:00.007Z2010-11-29T13:07:22.221Z

Monday 29th NovemberThere are a number of you - a significant number of you - who, given this week's cold snap have understandably enquired about the status of the County Council's cold weather preparations and in particular the 'Grit Bin' question, so herewith the most recent update.Grit preparations are in full swing – as part of the County Council’spreparations for winter, the highways team

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-1512412193312937832010-11-17T09:32:00.003Z2010-11-17T09:53:31.383Z

Tuesday 16th NovemberAfter long deliberations, 'Charles Church' have made a decision regards the name of their development in Bagshot on the former 'Waterer's Nurseries'. As I've blogged before, I've been talking to the sales & marketing team there for several months, on the basis of encouraging them to 'keep it local' and use a name relating to the former use of the site. Regrettably, they've

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-89085555730563082092010-11-15T11:46:00.003Z2010-11-15T12:00:38.607Z

Sunday 14th NovemberAn understandably moving day, 'Remembrance Sunday', which of course is when church services recognise 'Armistice Day', but I have always been heartened by residents of Lightwater & Windlesham who come out in support of the procession and wreath laying each year.In spite of the cold and damp conditions, the service was very well attended, with representatives of both Borough &

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-36354702873348611992010-11-05T11:42:00.002Z2010-11-05T11:51:37.293Z

Friday 5th NovemberFollwoing the recent news that we voted to put forward the Bagshot 20mph limit last month, I've been avidly following progress as to when any works might start. Yesterday, I received word from our engineers that works are likely to start Feb 2011. Why the delay you might ask? Well, its all down to regulations regards the Traffic Regulation Order, advertising the works and a

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-40646054604227969242010-10-29T11:57:00.006+01:002010-10-29T12:07:41.406+01:00

Friday 29th OctoberBravo Cllr Dodds!http://surreyheath-residents.co.uk/2010/10/25/petition-for-safe-crossing-of-red-road-please-sign/As you will have read above, Cllr Dodd’s petition is the latest in a number of efforts - including those of 'Yours truly' and the other five Surrey County Councillors who represent Surrey Heath Divisions - to bring the hazardous nature of ‘Red Road’ to the attention

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-3203786174339464492010-10-19T23:07:00.004+01:002010-10-19T23:20:13.512+01:00

Tuesday 19th October I'll admit that Cllr Ray Christie and I didn't always see eye-to-eye. He and I approached 'Town & Country Planning' from different ends of the spectrum. I, as a graduate turned developer and he as an old local planning committee hand.However, what was never in dispute was Ray Christie's dedication to his subject. On many occasion, he would address the Windlesham Parish

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-73720807105545293512010-10-17T19:37:00.004+01:002010-10-17T19:54:48.948+01:00

Sunday 17th OctoberMore good news for residents in my division!County Council Officers have completed a review of on street parking in Surrey Heath and have identified changes in restrictions which will benefit road safety and should hopefully reduce instances of obstructions and localised congestion.Again, these are not all my own work, but I have indeed pushed these along this summer after it

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Saturday 16th OctoberAt last!The subject on everybody's lips - aside from car parking, flooding and the specials on at 'The Village Cafe' - has been the proposed 20 mph Zone for Bagshot High St.Now, there have a been a number of people involved in this effort - too many to count - but I can tell you that with the proposed County Council Highways budget cuts, I had to fight to keep this on the

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-29458070131933874782010-10-17T19:17:00.005+01:002010-10-18T11:04:00.077+01:00

Friday 15th OctoberFollowing on from the tragic deaths last year from a devastating accident in the Lightwater Bypass, the Surrey Heath County members were advised last week that the road has now moved up the agenda for the provision of road safety/accident prevention measures.Seemingly, the problem here is that when an accident occurs, the lack of a barrier exacerbates the accident. If a driver

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-17402042936415461672010-10-17T18:58:00.003+01:002010-10-17T19:15:41.560+01:00

Friday 15th OctoberSad news this week as it was confirmed that another tragic loss of life occurred on Red Road. This time a pedestrian was knocked down and who later died of his injuries.One of the reasons I came into local politics was to do with this road. I continually lobbied the County about the hazards and like to think that the warning signs are due in part to those efforts.The point is

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-57737579789706010402010-09-03T16:38:00.006+01:002010-09-03T17:14:29.993+01:00

Tuesday August 31stLocal Windlesham man, Lt John Charles Sanderson, 29, of 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment, was on patrol in Nahr-e-Saraj, Helmand province, on July 13 when he was caught in a bomb blast.I happened upon Conrad & Helga at the Half Moon Pub about a month ago to a very sombre mood owing to the news of Johns terrible injuries sustained on tour. John succumbed to his injuries soon

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-91416555135531894272010-08-18T16:46:00.005+01:002010-08-18T17:01:23.864+01:00

Wednesday 18th AugustI received a call today from Charles Church Sales Manager and good friend of mine, Holly Finer. Holly is looking after the forthcoming 'Notcutts' development in Bagshot and was keen to speak to the local County Councillor about possible development names that would have an historical 'Bagshot' flavour. I recall at one of the most recent local parish meetings that the council

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-33069820004229047142010-08-02T10:47:00.003+01:002010-08-02T11:31:24.940+01:00

Sunday 1st August.The childrens play area at Lightwater Country Park is, in my opinion, one of the best in the Borough. Not only is it clean, safe and well maintained, a trip there allows children and adults alike to enjoy a 'smorgasbord' of woodland, heathland and lakes and even feed the ducks that congregate on the lower pond. I made a trip there with my two sons on Sunday afternoon and had the

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-7177079156908895902010-07-26T11:50:00.004+01:002010-07-26T11:57:04.433+01:00

Sunday 25th July.The 'Old Smoker' wasn't parked on MacDonald Road this weekend, on account of being used overnight elsewhere. At the same time, person or persons unknown crashed into the 'Lightwater' sign, which ironically enough, states 'Please Drive Carefully'. I shall be calling the County Highways team this morning to attend to the damage. The car shall be parked back 'on station' after lunch.

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-68124690779822326442010-07-22T21:25:00.005+01:002010-07-22T21:38:45.711+01:00

Tuesday 20th JulyGreat news for those residents whose children use the school buses that had been under threat of being cut. The County Council have decided that no school buses to either Collingwood or Kings International will face any cuts and shall continue as before. Fares are likley to increase by £1 per trip, but frankly that seems to my mind better than parents having to find other means

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-21389808833268278302010-07-19T12:46:00.005+01:002010-07-19T13:21:41.556+01:00

Friday 16th JulyAs we all know by now, the country has a massive debt to clear. Personally, I believe that the 'repayment' of that debt will be ably assisted by the recovery of market forces, income generation & subsequent taxation and by the necessary and ineviatble inflation into the future. Lets not forget that the country generally runs with an albeit smaller budget deficit and had had war

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-73924802634591728512010-07-10T14:11:00.005+01:002010-07-16T12:23:34.902+01:00

Friday 9th JulyThe combined effort of local councillors continues to urge the owner of the now infamous Whitmoor Road/Elizabeth Avenue Wall to do something about the broken structure.For years now, questions over ownership and responsibility have stalled any repair work to the wall which is an eyesore as much as it is potentially hazardous. However, I and other Bagshot Councillors have never let

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-52591928516704363292010-06-14T21:12:00.004+01:002010-06-14T21:25:33.585+01:00

Monday 14th JuneFormer Mayor of Guildford and fellow County Councillor Mike Nevins passed away in May after a long battle against cancer. Mike was also a member of the Planning & Regulatory Committee and one of my earliest recollections of that committee was an exuberant opposition he made to works being undertaken by an operator in his division on behalf of his residents. Mike was indeed a

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-74137083587811334252010-06-14T14:53:00.008+01:002010-06-14T21:33:31.369+01:00

Monday 14th JuneI'm a patriot. Indeed, when I lived - briefly - in the US, they all delighted in calling me 'The Limey' because I flew a Union Jack on the aerial of the roof of my house! And of a mixture of Scottish & English descent, I am always delighted to see both country's flags flying, although frankly, I still consider myself British above all else.So to the World Cup Football Tournament

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-44626343669641605232010-06-13T09:58:00.003+01:002010-06-13T17:02:43.413+01:00

Friday 11th JuneFriday afternoon saw the County Council Planning & Regulatory Committee out on a site visit in Shepperton. I'm a strong advocate of these visits on the basis that it provides the committee with a much better impression of the effects of development, particularly when the development concerned is more alien as it were. i.e. it is easy to see the effect of a roof height on a school

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-88473707359004545552010-06-13T09:25:00.003+01:002010-06-13T09:48:22.428+01:00

Friday 11th JuneI was delighted on Friday to meet up with Rosemary Barton and Suzanne Sharman, two members of the Windlesham Field of Remembrance Management Committee, at the field pavilion.Or at least what remains of it. In recent years the pavilion has, in spite of spirited efforts to the contrary, become more and more unusable and it the time has come for replacement rather than repair. In

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-10137488555382678512010-06-08T12:00:00.004+01:002010-06-08T12:19:25.835+01:00

Tuesday 9th June.My driving record has improved in recent years - my first few years of driving were frankly appalling - but I've always appreciated the difference between driving in dry conditions and driving in the wet.Not all of us are as well versed.The police closed Red Road today so that the fire and rescue services could cut somebody out of a car that had skidded into the SPA roadside

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-9710336639975626122010-05-29T14:03:00.004+01:002010-05-29T14:32:02.485+01:00

Monday 24th MayOwing to the arrival of some unexpected guests - and indeed unexpected weather - I rushed out last night to the Lightwater Wine Shop to get some supplies. Ever since I moved to Lightwater in 2002 I have religiously used this off-licence and have witnessed the efforts of Chris Crews take it through the turbulent Threshers handover and our recent financial crises. I like that

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-73364266490002333352010-05-29T13:50:00.002+01:002010-05-29T14:01:22.348+01:00

Saturday 29th MayDon't get me wrong. Part of the reason I champion the Conservative cause is because I believe in aspiration and social mobility. I profess to admire a sort of watered down 'Reaganomics' that ensures that all are able to create wealth which in turn - through careful and non wasteful management - looks after those who can't, rather than those who won't. And in promoting this

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-18985743740820328062010-05-21T19:15:00.005+01:002010-05-21T19:40:36.420+01:00

Friday 21st MayI noticed yesterday that the heath was on fire. I say 'heath' - I refer of course to the Pirbright Ranges that stretch from the slope of the Hogs Back all the way north to Lightwater and which are now designated 'SPA - Special Protection Areas'* specified by Europe and policed by our very own government apointed QUANGO, 'Natural England'. Or at least, they were. The fire that

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-54637301933400466822010-05-21T18:54:00.004+01:002010-05-21T19:13:34.996+01:00

Monday 17th MayAnother day, another seminar! On Friday I attended a briefing for all local members by the local service managers: i.e. Youth Services, Schools & Families, Transport etc etc in order to be brought up to speed with how the relevant services were performing locally.One of the more sensational areas was that of Trading Standards. I was reminded of while working years ago with a chap

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-25569024830302102462010-05-16T13:14:00.005+01:002010-05-21T18:54:29.188+01:00

Friday 14th May This week saw the annual round of 'Annual General Meetings', which took place at both of our local County and Borough Councils. The purpose of these is to take stock, sum up the previous year's business, make new appointments and set out what the Council is looking to do over the coming year.In the case of both local authorities, there are challanges ahead. Diminishing grants,

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-88864462365139270692010-05-12T17:34:00.004+01:002010-05-12T17:53:51.829+01:00

Wednesday 12th MayA ConLib Government. Or as I prefer, ConDem.Not so much Wilson's 'A week is a long time in politics', or even Clive James' 'Christ, what a fortnight', it has frankly been a mad few days. And thats even before I blog about the County AGM yesterday (above) or the Borough AGM tonight.So, here we are. I shall blog more fully shortly, but in the meantime herewith a few of my tweets

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-51986656789627949212010-05-07T17:17:00.007+01:002010-05-07T17:36:52.540+01:00

Friday May 7thElection Day.After a three and a half year campaign, it all came to an end last night as the ballots were counted and the results began chiming in.A number of us political types ended up at the count at the Camberley Theatre, with our candidate Michael Gove MP, where we drank lots of coffee whilke eagerly awaiting the result. Perhaps it was unfair to say, but Michael's majority is

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-24919754578857709712010-05-04T08:31:00.006+01:002010-05-04T08:55:08.625+01:00

Monday 3rd MayWhen I arrived in Sandwich ten days ago ready to canvass with my 'Tory Rosette', I felt a little out of place. There was I in my 'Royal Blue', but the place was a flurry of turquoise; turquoise rosettes, turquoise banners, turquoise posters. Laura had even organised a set of turquoise windcheaters! Seemingly and for reasons known only to Central Office, the election colours have

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-42371847526246852982010-04-28T00:28:00.004+01:002010-04-28T01:04:03.157+01:00

Tuesday 27th AprilLong time readers of this blog may remember our first step on the campaign trail last year when we were fortunate enough to have Laura Sandys PPC attend our branch fundraiser and really get things going. I pledged myself willing to help at that time to Laura for when she required assistance during her campaign in the marginal South Thanet constituency and this last four days I

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-29999712382694461242010-04-27T23:56:00.004+01:002010-04-28T00:20:48.036+01:00

Friday 23rd April.St Georges Day - While the nation toys with the idea of celebrating the National Day in a manner similar to the Irish and St Pats, I managed to catch up with the Mayor during lunch while we debriefed about the previous weekend's 'Mayor's Charity Ball'. Alas it was only brief. Friday ended up being a most busy day and started with dropping babies at nursery school, while

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-86061691441862096712010-04-22T19:19:00.007+01:002010-04-22T20:01:04.880+01:00

Thursday 22nd April.At last. As of about 1900hrs this evening, using a website called 'Widgetbox', I have managed to enable those of you not familiar with 'Twitter' (or frankly, not interested in setting up an account) to be kept up to date by way of a 'widget'. Simply its a way of transposing information from one website onto another website. At the top of this page on the right hand side you

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-8055931179031554132010-04-22T12:20:00.008+01:002010-04-22T19:06:46.643+01:00

Monday 19th April.As the heatwave - or rather sunny spell - continues here, a volcano has erupted causing chaos, panic and a perpetual new story on all major channels. No, not the Icelandic natural phenomenon, dubbed the 'Volcano Crisis' which has downed European Airline fleets and thus marooned among others, my God-daughter in New York and my old Aiki Do Master in Las Vegas. I'm talking of

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-75233044938790219292010-04-08T23:29:00.006+01:002010-04-09T01:02:44.190+01:00

Thursday 8th AprilTraditional Party voters aren't going to swing this election. Victory is going to be granted to the party who can best engage with the floating voter in the marginal seats.Prior to 1997 it was the vote of both 'Mondeo Man' and you ladies who brought the New Labour project into power. Well, not exactly - it was the massive swing which led to the massive Labour landslide, but it

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-37144851228894386222010-03-30T19:13:00.007+01:002010-03-30T20:02:33.361+01:00

Saturday 27th MarchI was accosted in the street on Saturday by one of the Borough's Licensed Taxi Owners. Not in a bad way of course, but rather in a friendly and concerned manner. The driver/owner in question wanted to know all about the forthcoming High Street closures and how they were going to effect business in general and his pocket in particular.It's an interesting one this and one that

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-18326421999301077992010-03-28T13:19:00.005+01:002010-03-28T14:07:08.173+01:00

Friday 26th FebruaryWatch out! Bolt your doors. Lock your windows. There is an axeman loose in Lightwater.Not a criminally insane one of course - well, the jury is still out on that one - but a ruthless one. I refer of course to Cllr Tim Dodds, local borough councillor and prolific blogger who removed yours truly from the list of his favourite political blogs last week!Cllr Dodds reported that

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-49834211439962479992010-03-16T17:39:00.003Z2010-03-16T17:54:32.272Z

Wednesday 10th MarchToday I found myself up at County Hall for a couple of meetings including the 'Snow Wash-Up'.Chaired by Mrs Lavinia Sealy and Lt Col David Ivison (Rtd), the review was aranged to place officers in the chair in order to determine performance during the January snow. A full report will be forthcoming, but what I found to be of particular interest among the several hours of

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-35463344092877451872010-03-11T14:16:00.004Z2010-03-11T18:54:37.808Z

Wednesday 10th MarchAn extraordinary meeting of Surrey Heath Borough Council was convened last night in order to consider the application of the new Mosque building in Camberley.Typically such matters are heard at the Council's planning committee, but owing to an admin issue it was determined that the entire membership be convened to hear and debate the planning issues.I consider myself to be a

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-42796643942803052722010-02-28T11:16:00.005Z2010-04-09T00:20:57.031+01:00

Tuesday 23rd FebruaryAs part of my business concerns, I occasionally find myself out on site managing construction in a 'hands-on' manner. For this task I also run a 'work truck' which just happens to be a 1989 Jaguar XJ6 Sovereign (I don't play croquet, harrass my secretary or pounch voters, so let that be the beginning and end of the John Prescott comparisons...) which can carry quite a lot of

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-12310050774779315742010-02-28T10:17:00.005Z2010-02-28T11:01:33.607Z

Friday 26th February.I haven't seen my family much for the latter part of this month - Borough meetings tend to be in the evenings, along with the meetings convened by the parishes and while most County meetings are arranged during the working day, the Local Area Committee meetings are always held in the evening. Consequently the evening diary has been full during the last two weeks of February

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-49805852378914641422010-02-14T20:10:00.003Z2010-02-14T20:34:23.794Z

Tuesday 9th FebruaryGood news at this weeks Full Council meeting regards the bus review. It would appear that for the time being at least, logic has prevailed and that the voices of Councillors, Headteachers and parents have been heard.It doesn't mena that the bus services are to be retained, but it does allow for further discussion and consultation, and does also mean that parents who have made

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-89468121719823531892010-02-14T19:48:00.004Z2010-02-14T20:07:20.176Z

Thursday February 11thAs a member of the County Planning & Regulatory Committee, I found myself in Albury this week being shown around a drilling rig!We were there as part of a tour of upcoming cases to be heard at next week's planning committee and were there to get a grip of the planning concerns raised by local Surrey residents. On the basis that I'd never been anywhere near a drilling rig

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-38376969482866320652010-02-08T11:39:00.003Z2010-02-08T12:18:12.958Z

Friday 5th FebruaryIts difficult having just one 'local boozer' when you're involved in local politics. With my area of operations extending across four villages because of the various hats I wear, I've found over the last year or so that I frequent several pubs for business and pleasure feeling equally at home in all of them.So, if I'm in Windlesham, I'm generally enjoying Conrad Sturt's

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-63860332409772104832010-01-29T22:17:00.006Z2010-01-29T23:21:05.085Z

Thursday 28th JanuarySince my election in May 2009, I've had less and less time to spend online at a desk surfing the web. The effect of this has been two-fold. Firstly, I've stopped buying Jaguar parts that I really don't need off ebay; and secondly, that I haven't become one of the 170,000 strong cult that is the monthly readership of Tory commentator and professional blogger, Iain Dale.The

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-73816495076183264732010-01-29T22:11:00.005Z2010-01-29T23:17:18.417Z

Tuesday 26th February.Or rather a new building to house the existing mosque.Or rathernot.More on this later.Update - http://www.surreyheath.gov.uk/news/news.htm?mode=10&pk_news=713

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-78259708931657836632010-01-29T21:51:00.002Z2010-01-29T22:07:56.243Z

Tuesday 26th JanuaryAs a man with a business in Bagshot, I was cordially invited to the inaugural meeting of the recently formed 'Bagshot Business Association'.This is a project that the ubiqitous Glyn Carpenter has had in mind for quite some time - we have discussed it at length for at least eighteen months - and I was keen to support the project in order to emulate what the 'Lightwater Business

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-91628720956576542912010-01-29T21:09:00.005Z2010-01-29T21:50:21.613Z

Monday 25th JanuaryThe matter of the bus review had been raised as early as October 2009 as part of the review of transportation services, but this week saw a flurry of emails to my inbox as the consultation end-date neared.And rightly so - while the service is heavily subsidised, parents of children who use the service should rightly have a say in its future.Locally, Lavinia Sealy took the lead

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-74019417582597123882010-01-29T20:03:00.003Z2010-01-29T21:06:08.134Z

Tuesday 19th January.In amongst the formal meetings conducted at County Hall, each political group holds periodic 'Group' meetings to enable a forum for more informal discussion about matters affecting the council. Our Conservative Group has also spawned a 'Backbench Forum' where all non-cabinet members are permitted full vent...This week County Council Budgets were at the top of the agenda with

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-15885465468886670982010-01-16T09:21:00.008Z2010-01-16T10:24:30.105Z

Friday 15th JanuaryThe rise in temperature, that is.You the taxpayers, through the administration of the County Council, provide us members with a BlackBerry Wireless Device. These devices are effectively hand held laptops with a phone function, and while I personally use an iPhone - which actually I prefer owing to the applications and operating system - it is extremely useful to be able to be

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-78194724710788265082010-01-12T14:23:00.009Z2010-01-12T15:12:53.709Z

Tuesday 12th JanuaryMy 'Twitter' experiment is developing. I had originally envisaged recruiting a number of local 'followers', but the experiement has led me to begin using the format as an up-to-the-minute news feed.Effectively, 'Twitter' works on the basis of each account holder signing up to get updates from - or following - other account holders, thereby being consistently updated by those

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-63429117941494436082010-01-12T14:09:00.003Z2010-01-12T14:22:44.724Z

Saturday 9th JanuaryI had some business to attend to on Saturday and decided, in spite of the weather forecast and emboldened by my Lightwater/Camberley success, to brave the elements and meet some clients in Shepperton. Strangely, while Lightwater, Bagshot & Windlesham had remained 'wilderness-like', the journey to Shepperton took me closer to the Greater London micro-climate and presented a

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-76666629844413481422010-01-07T12:18:00.006Z2010-01-07T13:52:56.188Z

Thursday 7th JanuaryThe sand deliveries for the bins have started today, and I can only hope that some gets through to those areas thus far deprived of any supplies. That said, I also hope that those who use it for their private driveway use are estopped by others - the sand and salts are suppoed to be for the highways, and for the benefit of all rather than just the self interest of a few.It's

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-30391793819553826732010-01-06T19:20:00.004Z2010-01-06T20:13:34.286Z

Wednesday 6th JanuaryI awoke in 'Narnia' this morning.A mighty eight inches (200mm in new money) laid overnight and once I'd viewed the scene I knew I'd certainly have to write the morning off in terms of getting into the office or indeed any of our sites even in spite of parking the cars on the road overnight. After clearing the Sky dish of snow, since the snowfall had compromised the morning's

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-13507721185290540742010-01-05T21:03:00.004Z2010-01-05T21:21:29.070Z

Tuesday 5th JanuaryThis afternoon - before the snow - I was at the my office in Bagshot and had the chance to stop in and catch up with the charming Glyn Carpenter.As you may know, Glyn runs the 'Village Cafe' which has fast become part of the fabric of the village of Bagshot in addition to serving up some superb lunchtime fayre (although I note that the Stilton and bacon mix has yet to be

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-7946998879330904352010-01-05T14:04:00.006Z2010-01-07T13:32:19.207Z

Tuesday 5th JanuaryThe promise of more snow for the forthcoming weeks has caused concern for residents and in particular what roads are likely to be prepared in the form of gritting.I've looked to get 'chapter and verse' on this subject and found the answer within the blog of a colleague of mine at the County, Mr David Munro, who posted a similar entry at http://davidmunro.blogspot.com/Surrey's

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-35624877008049484862009-12-24T09:19:00.004Z2009-12-24T09:27:47.698Z

Thursday 24th December.If I haven't already, I'd just like to take the opportunity to wish all readers, on behalf of my family & I here in Lightwater, a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!2010 certainly promises to be an interesting year, politically and economically and I'm looking forward to seeing both develop. Spring in particular should be fun to watch.Merry Christmas.

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-50791513764105981492009-12-21T17:45:00.004Z2009-12-21T18:18:01.566Z

Monday 21st DecemberCllr Mrs Valerie White of Windlesham Parish Council had called me this morning to report that Connaught Park in Bagshot was effectively cut off. She had drawn a blank through the normal channels and had asked if I might expedite matters, particularly with reference to salt and gritting. I had made some enquiries and was still awaiting a response myself from the highways team

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-76535691961793948052009-12-21T10:11:00.004Z2009-12-21T10:25:13.854Z

Sunday 20th DecemberDuring a spot of lunch at the 'Half Moon' Pub in Windlesham on Sunday, I bumped - quite literally owing to the ice - into my colleagues from West End Parish Council, namely (from the left) Cllr John Medhurst, Cllr Adrian Page and Cllr Dave Elliot.On an annual pub 'tour', there were three tractors-worth of revellers all braving the arctic conditions. Cllr Medhurst, who runs

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-20236030172807346882009-12-19T14:39:00.005Z2009-12-21T10:28:19.195Z

Saturday 19th DecemberWhile I had managed to get the lion's share of my Christmas shopping done online or else in Kingston after one of last week's meetings, I managed to get into Camberley on Saturday in order to mop up the outstanding.Part of the reason I enjoy shopping in Camberley during the festive period is how I manage to bump into lots of old faces - seemingly everyone ventures into the

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-67529495986858405432009-12-19T14:29:00.002Z2009-12-19T14:38:14.782Z

Thursday 17th DecemberNo - not me, although I think I run him a close second - what with local government responsibilities, businesses to run a wife and two sons under five - but the Mayor of Surrey Heath, Cllr Craig Fennell.As a fellow Borough Councillor, I bump into Criag quite often but knowing of his full civic schedule, I hadn't expected to see him at the Park St Carol Service on Thursday,

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-4928511309429981382009-12-19T14:06:00.003Z2009-12-19T14:28:06.363Z

Tuesday 15th DecemberFormal County business concluded with the Full County Council Meeting on Tuesday and for the first time, the meeting was transmitted live to the web so that all could access the business of the County Council as it happened.In spite of the snowy conditions, the meeting was well attended, although a clash with the Schools Committee resulted in my having to leave before the

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-91802144750463795712009-12-09T18:03:00.003Z2009-12-09T18:28:30.051Z

Wednesday 9th NovemberFurther to Michael Gove's meeting last Saturday, with the assembled company of local Tory councillors, I had another opportunity to catch up with Michael on Tuesday during a luncheon meeting of the 'Stranger's Gallery'.'Stranger's Gallery' is a luncheon society for local, Surrey Heath business people and provides a forum to discuss the effects politics has on local

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-91953388028169507592009-12-09T17:32:00.005Z2009-12-09T18:30:15.597Z

Tuesdasy 8th DecemberI managed to resist for quite a while, finding 'Twitter' to be an extrapolation of one of the less interesting elements of 'Facebook'. However in the interest of keeping in contact with the both the party and the electorate on an even more regular basis than here at the blog, I determined that it was probably worth a whirl.I'm hoping that it will complement the blog for those

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-25849563462120488092009-12-04T11:25:00.005Z2009-12-09T17:49:25.160Z

Tuesday 1st December.Further to the 'call-in'* of the decision made at our most recent Local Area Committee (LAC), David Ivison CC and I presented the case for a change in the speed limit to elements of both Red Road and the Maultway at this week's County Cabinet meeting.While David concentrated on the Maultway, my experience of Red Road (by virtue of my address) gave me the opportunity to

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-30936067039704775592009-11-14T13:37:00.007Z2009-11-14T13:59:38.472Z

Wednesday 11th NovemberAfter deciding at the last Local Area Committee to alter the speed limit at this location from 60mph down to 40 mph, the matter has been called in by the County Council Cabinet. Seemingly this is so that the matter of speed limits - and the process of altering to meet local need - can be reviewed.There is an accident at this location - i.e. between the double bends and the

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-28939123452661775592009-11-14T13:14:00.004Z2009-11-14T13:35:59.865Z

Wednesday 11th NovemberThis month's Planning & Regulatory Committee was duly cut short so that members and officers could join the Chairman and guests for the Remembrance Day Service at County Hall's 'Great Hall'.Words are perhaps irrelevant to describe the proceedings or comment on what such services represent. Ever since I was fortunate enough to attend a trip to the First World War

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Thursday 29th OctoberThere's been a lot of talk recently about the Ian Goodchild Centre (IGC). As part of Surrey Heath Borough Council's commitment to getting value for taxpayer's money, the IGC, as part of the discretionary services budget, was part of a number of facilities to be considered by a working group set up to determine how such servces across the borough might be improved and combined

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Wednesday 28th OctoberThe question of barriers has been raised again, following the lamentable deaths on August bank holiday 2009 on the A322 Lightwater By-pass.Seemingly, a driver heading northbound lost control of a vehicle and crossed the central reservation, colliding head-on into another vehicle driving southbound. Two deaths were instant, but there were critical admittances to Frimnley Park

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Thursday 15th OctoberIf I had any hair, I'd have combed it this morning as I attended the formal opening of the County Council's 'SureStart' Children's Centre at Bagshot Infant School, opened by HRH The Countess of Wessex and with Lady Toulson, High Sherriff of Surrey; Geoff Marlow, Chairman of Surrey County Council & Cllr Craig Fennell, Mayor of Surrey Heath Borough Council in

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Thursday 15th OctoberThe local committee is a forum which is designed to engage local residents and stakeholders with issues of concern and can influence the County Council on local needs. Comprising Surrey County Councillors with divisions in Surrey Heath, together with Surrey Heath Borough Councillors, it is an opportunity to see your local councillors making a difference in your

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Friday 9th OctoberEarlier this summer I had cursed the number of trailers and caravans that had fettered my parking at 'County Hall' on several occasions, but as it turned out it had been the BBC on location filming. 'County Hall' is the location of the former law courts and one such court remains, complete with dock, oak panelling and a sign that reads 'to the cells' (Cllr Ivison, please take

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Tuesday 29th SeptemberThe 'Michaelmas Session' started with a bang this year, with a hearty meeting of the Executive of Surrey Heath Borough Council. As a member of the Borough Council, I am permitted - at the discretion of the Leader - to speak on subjects raised at the meeting although not being an Executive member, I am not permitted to vote.A number of matters were thoroughly debated and

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-57787048165424759382009-09-28T20:29:00.002+01:002009-09-28T20:33:24.755+01:00

Friday 26th SeptemberCounty & commercial interests have taken precedence this last ten days or so and I've been to County Hall several times for Planning Committees & Schools & Learning Committees, in addition to Project Managing some building works in Camberley, so I was looking forward to the relative panacea of working back at our Bagshot office on Friday.As I examined the relative merits of

Stuart MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708796004375688019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804781717961680772.post-63230330265302714522009-09-05T10:26:00.002+01:002009-09-05T10:35:24.061+01:00

Saturday 5th SeptemberI'd begun to feel a little lonely here 'at the blog' in the manner of Robinson Crusoe - or perhaps, given my mental state sometimes, more like Ben Gunn - but it would appear that a software bug had stopped me from viewing comments!So. A quick thanks to everybody who has posted since April. I'm going through the comments this weekend and hope to be able to cast a reply to all

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Tuesday 1st SeptemberFollowing a recent meeting of the Council, Surrey Heath's Mayor, Cllr Craig Fennell and I took the opportunity to catch up on matters Surrey Heath in one of Camberley's pubs. Most of my recent forays into Camberley Town Centre of an evening had been with the Police - as an invited guest you understand - or with the Licensing Enforcers, but this particular evening,

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Saturday 29th AugustIn spite of exhaustive efforts by a lot of people including yours truly, the negotiations between Connaught School and Curley Park Rangers Football Club have stalled over the summer with the result that the club is still unable to use the school facility for some club fixtures.While the principle of this would appear to be simple, the practice is in fact very much different.

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