Tory Budget Proposals set to further damage Dorking town centre

8.34.17pm GMT Sun 25th Jan 2009

Stephen Cooksey

Liberal Democrat councillor Stephen Cooksey has attacked the proposed budget for Mole Valley District Council on the grounds of the likely damage it will do to trade and local businesses in Dorking. Writing to local newspapers, Stephen criticises the sharply increased parking charges and the abolition of the post of Economic Development Officer precisely at the time when it is most needed.

Stephen's statement reads as follows:

"Everyone is aware of the serious problems currently being faced by Dorking town centre - indeed the whole Mole Valley Council acknowledged this when it approved unanimously my proposal in November to establish a joint Town/Council Action Group to help Dorking retain its viability as a market town and as the primary shopping location of southern Mole Valley. It was hoped that this would encourage the Council to provide some of the public investment in environmental and strategic development that the Conservatives have so long denied to Dorking.

"As the economic situation worsens and more and more shops become vacant the help of the local Council becomes ever more critical. But Mole Valley's Conservative Executive will have none of this - it is proposing a budget which in effect is an attack on the economic viability of the town centre. First the huge increase in car parking charges - an overall 70% increase - will have a very significant effect. The total incompetence of these proposals is best illustrated by the 2 hour parking period where the fee will increase from 70p to £1.20p. When people should be being encouraged to stay and shop they are in fact being discouraged - many who are currently prepared to pay the 20p difference between 1 hour and 2 hours will not be prepared to do so when the difference is 50p.

"hen, the Executive has decided that this is the time to abolish the post of Economic Development Officer. If ever there was a time when economic development and assistance was necessary to the viability of the town centre it is now - but this is the time that the Executive chooses to remove the service altogether.

"Dorking town centre is in need of all the help it can get to survive the next year but the Executive seem determined to make a recovery as difficult as possible. It is a shameful budget and one that demonstrates the inability of the Conservative administration to grasp the true nature of the problems that face the town. Liberal Democrat Councillors are strongly opposing these proposals along with the community that they represent. I would say to all residents that there may still be time to force some changes but they need to let their views and concerns be heard loudly and clearly to the Executive before the final decision is made."