Lib Dem Penny Rivers made the proposal to reject the application at Surrey’s planning committee, arguing that the adverse impact on local businesses, roads, the landscape and on the environment outweighed any uncertain national benefits.

Penny Rivers held her seat in Godalming North, while there were gains for Paul Follows in Godalming South, Milford & Witley, John Robini in Haslemere and Liz Townsend in Cranleigh & Ewhurst.

Our recent residents' survey has revealed that only 14% of residents are 'satisfied' with the current performance of Conservative-run Surrey County Council, with a shocking 55% 'not satisfied' and 31% 'not sure'.

The news comes just a few weeks before local residents go to the polls to decide who should run the council for the next four years.

Paul Follows, Penny Rivers and the local Lib Dem team have exciting and ambitious plans to rebuild the services provided by Surrey County Council, if they gain control after this year’s elections.

‘Paul Follows speechless’. Not a headline we ever thought we would write! However, the Lib Dem Leader of Godalming Town Council was (briefly) reduced to silence by Conservative councillors failing to approve continued support for Godalming’s volunteer-run Community Store.

Lib Dem Paul Follows, Deputy Leader of Waverley Borough Council, said:

"I have received many enquiries from local parents and carers who are extremely worried about the free school meals alternative being sent out by Surrey County Council. 

"What on earth is going on? The amount of food some parents have received to feed their children is not anything like enough to provide an adequate, nutritious lunch every day.

"The cost of the food in many of the packages I have seen is far less than the amount of public money being charged by contractors. So where is the rest going?

"I have spoken with Surrey County Council seeking an explanation. The very idea of the government or the county potentially allowing profiteering on this sort of thing disgusts me, but I would like investigate further and be more sure of the facts.

"Therefore, if you are in this position yourself and would be happy to send me a note or photo, I would be most grateful. Please email [email protected].

"I must stress that I am also in touch with a number of local schools who have opted for vouchers or used a provider of their own choice with better outcomes.

"Our schools have stepped up brilliantly throughout the pandemic, despite the continuous moving of goalposts from the government and overstretched budgets, and I thank them for all they are doing to support our communities."

"Having previously been so slow to respond to calls for hungry children to be given support over school holidays during the pandemic, this time the Conservatives must act fast - please sign my petition calling for just that."

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the government to investigate the situation urgently and replace inadequate food parcels with food vouchers.

Waverley Lib Dems have been working hard to support residents and businesses across our area during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Having u-turned on keeping primary schools in London open, Paul Follows and the local Liberal Democrats are calling on the government to extend this to all schools in Tier 4, including here in Waverley.