State land banking: The Ministry of Defence owns 553,000 acres

That is bigger than the size of Surrey. The MOD also holds “rights” to another half a million acres.

Next year, council tax increases of up to six per cent will be allowed without a referendum

This weakening of local accountability makes it all the more important for Conservatives to offer voters a clear alternative.

If more Cabinet members had won their seats from Labour, perhaps it would leak just a little bit less

Maybe it was ever thus, at least in modern times, but Tory-held suburban seats outside the South-East are under-represented at the top table.

Andrew Kennedy: County or city-wide Association groupings with experienced agents in charge. My plan to salvage the voluntary party.

The Party has collectively failed to modernise its campaigning, with the result that we saw on June 8. This needs radical reform if it is not to collapse completely.

Hodge’s finger tip control

Council leaders will draw a moral from those mis-sent text messages: that if Ministers are put under enough pressure, they will cough up the loot.

The coming local elections. Watch for a satisfied May, a beleaguered Corbyn…and a smug Farron

They take place three months from tomorrow – as will Birmingham’s mayoral election and that Surrey council tax referendum.

Vivienne Michael: Surrey residents are unlikely to vote for a 15 per cent Council Tax rise

Two-tier arrangements confuse the public – radical reform is the answer to the financial pressures.

David Hodge: We have to set a budget that will protect vital services for Surrey residents

We have no alternative to seeking a 15 per cent Council Tax rise.

Tony Devenish: There are alternatives for Surrey to a Council Tax hike

Has the Council really done all it can in ‘sweating’ its large property assets ?

The TaxPayers’ Alliance intends to fight the Surrey Council Tax referendum

The campaign group hopes to lead the official No campaign.

David Hodge: Conservative councillors are working for a fair funding deal from central Government

We have lobbied the Chancellor hard and it’s achieved results.

Matthew Barrett: Fifty years on, it’s time to tear up Greater London.

It is a relic of an out-of-date fashion for the big and artificial rather than the small, local and rooted.

David Munro: The police need the right balance of praise and criticism

A Police and Crime Commissioner should help attract top recruits but be intolerant of poor practice.

Cllr David Hodge: For councils the well of efficiencies is drying up while the pressures on us continue to rise

No stone has been left unturned in the search for savings but demand in the social care system spirals.

Cllr David Hodge: Surrey County Council will save another £200m by 2020

We are embracing joint working with East Sussex – also with GPs, the police and colleges.