Bankrupt boroughs, levelling down and protecting our woodlands Artwork

Surrey Heath Cast: notes from the 'Blue Wall'

Surrey Heath Cast explores the things that really matter in the international, national and local news - and place a distinctly Surrey Heath lens on the issues affecting our lives in the formerly safe Tory strongholds of the "Blue Wall". Presented by Dr Al Pinkerton (Geopolitics/Royal Holloway and Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Surrey Heath) and Jacqui Hames (BBC Crimewatch). We will also be charting Al's journey as the next MP for Surrey Heath, talking about the issues that really matter to him and the people of Surrey Heath, understanding his motivations, and discussing the things that really need to be changed and improved in our community.Join us for "Surrey Heath Cast: notes from the Blue Wall."

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Surrey Heath Cast: notes from the 'Blue Wall'

Bankrupt boroughs, levelling down and protecting our woodlands

September 16, 2023 • Alasdair Pinkerton & Jacqui Hames • Season 2 • Episode 2

In today's episode, Jacqui and Al focus on two big issues currently affecting Surrey Heath.

First, we are delighted to welcome Councillor Shaun Mcdonald, the Leader of Surrey Heath Borough Council, to discuss this week's news that Surrey Heath Borough Council is facing potential bankruptcy in as little as two years - the result of reckless property speculation by previous administrations that have left Surrey Heath as the 6th most indebted local authority in England and on Moody's top-20 bankruptcy watch list. This week, Surrey Heath Borough Council published all the documents in their possession related to the questionable purchases, which took place in 2016: https://www.surreyheath.gov.uk/council-finances/purchase-square-and-house-fraser-store

We also discuss the ongoing threat posed by property developers to the much-valued Heathpark Woods in the village of Windlesham. We welcome the dedicated local campaigner Sandy Reed, to talk about the woods, their value to the village as a green barrier, and her petition which is gaining considerable local attention: https://www.change.org/p/save-heathpark-wood-from-destruction

Thanks for listening.

For any comments. questions, or suggestions for future episodes, contact us on surreyheathcast@gmail.com or send us a message via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/surreyheathcast

Presented by Jacqui Hames & Dr Al Pinkerton

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Dr Al Pinkerton

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Jacqui Hames

Host