Liberal Democrat County Councillors in Surrey have welcomed the news that the Conservative administration at County Hall has started to adopt the proposals put forward by the Liberal Democrats in the recent County Council election campaign.

In doing so, the Conservative administration at County Hall has finally agreed to cease the publication of its unpopular “Surrey Matters” magazine which has cost taxpayers £1,200,000 since 2011 and to scrap the four Cabinet Associate posts which have cost the taxpayer nearly £200,000 since they were introduced.

Liberal Democrats had consistently called for this self-promotional magazine and these cabinet associate posts, which only served as a means to pay Conservative councillors increased allowances from the public purse, to be scrapped and for the money saved to be used on front line services.

However, whilst we are delighted that the Conservative administration has finally taken this action, we are disappointed that it took so long for the Conservative administration at County Hall to realise that public money should not have been spent on self-promotional propaganda and unnecessary allowances paid to themselves.

At a time of tight financial constraints for the County Council when front-line services are being cut, when fees for services are being introduced and increased across the board, and when the Council Tax is being increased, it is vital that every penny is spent wisely.

Yet it became clear during the election campaign that this was simply not happening under the Conservatives – and it is no wonder that whilst only 39% of Surrey residents said in a recent survey that the County Council provided value for money that support for the Liberal Democrats increased across the County.

Liberal Democrat County Councillors will continue to hold the Conservative administration to account over the next four years and will continue to highlight examples of wasteful spending and where we think efficiencies can be made.