Ashtead Politics

Janet Marsh, Mole Valley District Council Member for over 16 years, is this year's District Council Chairman. Ashtead at Harvest interviewed Janet to get an inside view of local politics…

Janet Marsh receives her chain of command

Asked about the big issues facing Ashtead, the first thing that came to mind was the new District Local Plan, which goes through its final stages before adoption in the New Year. Even though the plan has no major individual issue for Ashtead, it does contain important general policies that will guide future developments well into the next millennium. She is sad that few people make the time to examine the plan when it is displayed in local libraries, and then later say they were never informed.

Janet has a very realistic view of what a district council can achieve. For example, the Mole Valley can only lobby the Department of Transport with regard to the M25, but this can get results - it played a part in getting acoustic fences and special noise reducing asphalt. The council also is opposed to out of town shopping centres.

Regarding relationships with Surrey County Council, Janet is upbeat. She believes that the 'unitary authorities' would have been a good idea, but she and her fellow Councillors regularly meet with County colleagues.

Questioned about a recent Panorama programme about the 'dodgy dealings' of "Surrey Operational Services" contractors, Janet said she suspected that not all of the Council's defence was broadcast. She is certain that there is no such fraud with Mole Valley's street cleaning contract.

After talking with Janet, you get the feeling that, if she is representative of her Councillor colleagues, Ashtead's local government is in fairly safe and capable hands.

If you have any problems that you think a local councillor might be able to help you with, you can ring Janet Marsh on 272558.

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