After news that Surrey County Council is to receive a 60% pay rise, leader David Hodge has said he has decided to accept a lower level of pay.

The leader and his deputy will take the level of pay recommended to him by the independent remuneration panel.

David Hodge says that he respects the decision on allowances but that he did not become a councillor for personal gain.

The allowance had not been reconsidered for 4 years and Councillor Hazel Watson, Leader of the Liberal Democrat group says that the rise is a mistake.

A multi-million pound regeneration scheme to build new shops, community facilities and homes in Merstham has been given the go-ahead by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council’s Planning Committee.

The plans are part of a joint initiative between the borough and county Councils and the Raven Housing Trust to improve the Portland Drive area.

A new food store and three shops will be built on the council-owned Iron Horse pub site, Ten shared equity flats will be built above, on behalf of Raven, to provide more homes that local people can afford.

And four restaurant/takeaway units and a new purpose-built community centre will be built on part of ‘the Triangle’, at the junction of Portland Drive and Bletchingley Road.

A proposed permanent traveller site in East Grinstead would destroy a “thriving 27-year-old business”, its owners have said.
Mid Sussex District Council has suggested three locations for traveller sites including land where Imberhorne Lane Nursery is based.

Two other sites north of Burgess Hill would provide another 12 pitches.

The council said official sites for travellers had to be found but suitable places were “extremely limited”.

A final decision on the sites is not expected until May 2015.

Gold paralympian Helena Lucas returned to her home town on Saturday (12th July) to open the Nutfield Primary School Fair.

Susy Radio’s Neil Munday spoke to her about London 2012 and the preparations for the Rio Games.

Non-striking firefighters will give emergency cover during next week’s strikes by the Fire Brigades’ Union.

They will be backed up by Surrey County Council’s contract with private company Specialist Group International

Despite this however there may be fewer fire engines than normal.

See the Surrey County Council website for strike dates and times.