A visit from Surrey County Council Local Committee to the residents of Horley.

Written by Cllr. Steve Kulka, a representitive from Reigate & Banstead Borough Council. and published in Letter submitted to Horley LIFE newspaper. on Thu 13th Jan 2005

You should get out more. Go to a local Council committee meeting.

Loads of Horley residents did last week. They were invited along with Borough Councillors, by Surrey County Council, to the St Johns Ambulance Hall in Horley to hear discussions about local issues.

Topics of local interest were promised. The Horley Master Plan, Surreys Waste strategy, Airport Parking in residential Roads, an update from Surreys Highway maintenance team, to name but a few.

Once everyone had paid for the Car Park and were settled in the packed house at 2pm, questions from the enthusiastic audience started. We'd hardly got going when the chair informed the assembled masses that any transport related questions couldn't be dealt with until after 5pm, so they'd have to come back later. Unfortunately, the Horley LIFE had printed incorrect time details and no one had told the audience that the Transport band wasn't on for another 3 hours. The throng were incensed. They could not be quelled until the Chair stood up and shouted them down. Amazing bravery in the face of the electorate.

No disappointment though, we had the SCC Waste Strategy solo act next. Most people remembered the bit that went "We're not ruling out incinerators".

The audience participation slot had them milling in the isles, when they were told by the Chair that "Standing Orders don't allow discussion". The masses left noisily to cries of "Call this open government".

Then we had the Fastway magic act, which has buses doing 180 degree turns in less than their own length and a statement that they may disappear shortly after they arrive..

Then the main act came on. The Horley Master Plan. This is one where the Council sells off land and won't promise to use the profits to benefit Horley.

The Surrey Highways team then tried to explain why they're in the mess they're in. Borough Councillors said that they could not get potholes or street lamps fixed and Conservative County Councillor Daniel Kee complained that it was all the fault of the Conservative Borough Councillors.

On a positive note, we did have a promise to introduce 20 mph speed limits outside some local schools.

It could have run and run. but we just ran out of time.

You should go to one. They're free and great entertainment.

Cllr. Steve Kulka

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council