Residents hope to take issues to the ballot box (From Your Local Guardian)

Kingston residents hope to take issues to the ballot box

7:30am Sunday 10th June 2012 in News By Tom Barnes

A fed-up residents’ association is hoping to attract new members in a push that will see it field its own candidates at local elections.

Oakhill and District Residents’ Association (Odra) was incensed when Liberal Democrat councillors approved plans to build a polyclinic and school on the old Surbiton Hospital site.

The group said it was sick of being ignored by councillors who it claimed did not listen to residents who opposed the development.

They also hoped to unite with other residents’ associations across the borough in a bid break the Lib Dem and Conservative stronghold in Kingston.

Residents’ association press secretary Graham Goldspring said residents’ association candidates in neighbouring boroughs had had a positive impact.

He said: “If it works in Epsom it can work here.

“The opposition from people living in Oakhill to the school and polyclinic site was overwhelming, yet despite that our elected Lib Dem councillors, who are supposed to work for us, voted unanimously in favour.

“Councillors affiliated to a national party will vote how they are told and not in benefit of the people they serve."

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