Readers say Surrey County Council is spending tax money ‘like it’s water’

SurreyLive readers have been sharing their strong opinions on how Surrey County Council spends tax money, and where the funds are best invested within our area. The topical discussion comes following Jeremy Hunt’s autumn statement in November, which resulted in upper tier authorities – like Surrey County Council – being able to increase council tax by up to five per cent without a referendum. Our readers had a lot to say on the subject after we asked them to join in the conversation on our website. Some say the council needs to budget better, while others are angered at the state of some of Surrey’s roads despite the “high” council tax.

One reader named Serious commented: “Stop spending money like water. What happened to the agreement that if work needed doing on gas or electric, the companies would work together? “And when planning new builds, work together with the community, for example medical facilities, social care, hospital spaces, education, transport and parking.

Surrey residents have a budget that the majority try and manage – it would be good if the council could, too.” How do you feel about the council’s tax spending strategy? You can have your say in the comments below. Fellow reader RichHI believes council tax is already “too high,” adding: “I agree that roads are number one priority.

There is a desperate need for potholes and road surfaces to be improved and, additionally, housing development is going ahead across the county, with no additional roads or widening to take the extra traffic.” While SurreyLive reader Clifter replied: “I have lived here since 1990, and every year the council tax goes up by almost the maximum. As an OAP, the tax is now my most expensive bill – energy is a close second.

The roads are a joke, the police don’t care unless they can catch someone for speeding. I have to pay extra to get my garden rubbish taken away, and they refuse to take any clothes for recycling unless they fit in a shopping bag – and they wonder why we get angry with them.” And cyclist Stonechat agreed with the state of Surrey roads, adding: “The roads are diabolical, worse than other counties.

As a cyclist, these are a major hazard to me and other cyclists.

Let us know what you think in our comments section or in our short poll below

All you have to do is sign up is submit your question, register your details and you can then take part in the discussion. (You can also sign up by clicking on the silhouette on the top right-hand corner of the screen).