Mixed priorities among local election candidates

As voters prepare to go to the polls in the local council elections this May, we visited Oxted in the district of Tandridge, Surrey.

In a non-descript building tucked away in a car park in Oxted, you’ll find a hive of activity.

Here, volunteers get to work on everything from reupholstering furniture to caning chairs and knitting.

But while these products can make good money, the Woodhouse Centre is just as much about companionship as it is crafting.

And it is where you will find people from all walks of life in the local community.

Residents here will have the opportunity to vote in the local elections in May, with every seat on the council up for election for the first time in 24 years.

Some tell us they will use their vote to send a message to political parties in Westminster this year.

Peter Nattrass says: "So many things seem underfunded... the health service, the GP practice locally, they're all trying but they don't have enough funds."

The local environment is a key theme too, with complaints about potholes in particular (although road surfaces are managed by county councils, rather than at borough or district level).

Elizabeth Herbert recently celebrated her 100th birthday.

"Everywhere is so untidy nowadays," she says.

But the issue that comes up frequently is the challenge around housebuilding.

"People want places to live, but Oxted has grown so much... you can't get a doctors appointment," Elizabeth says.

In recent years the district has seen a rise in residents' groups and independent councillors who oppose particular developments.

A group called the Residents' Alliance currently runs the council as a minority administration, after the Conservatives lost control in 2019.

"Overdevelopment is a problem," says Malcolm Williams, who lives locally.

His main concern is the pressure on infrastructure and he is worried about GP appointments, schools and the local road network.

The authority is yet to set a local plan - the document that sets out where local homes will be delivered.

Addressing this is clearly is a priority for candidates vying for votes.

"It's all about responsible building for us," says Lewis Sharp, a Conservative Party candidate.

"We want to build houses for young people, like myself, who are looking to move out. But affordable houses and in the right areas, where the infrastructure is supported."

Catherine Sayer, who represents the Residents' Alliance, says it wants to protect the "beautiful" local landscapes.

She says building is challenging in an area which is 94% green belt, with two “areas of outstanding natural beauty".

"We want to deliver new housing - and particularly affordable new housing - but we want to do it with a balance where we protect the landscapes.”

The Residents' Alliance says the council has managed to avoid effective bankruptcy by making the authority more efficient, "without cutting services".

But Martin Allen, who leads the independent group, says his priority is to have a "sensible budget".

"We spend far too much on salaries and obviously every time we're short of money we go to the residents and say can you pay a little bit more while we're still increasing our staff costs."

Public services are the main area of concern for the Liberal Democrats.

"Our services are not high quality at the moment," says Jeffrey Gray, leader of the local Lib Dem group.

"Dirty streets, loos closed week-in week-out, children's play equipment in parks that doesn't get repaired.

"We would commit to the restoration of quality public services."

Voters will be able to have their say on 2 May.

A full list of candidates standing in Tandridge can be found here.

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, and on X. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.