Before 2019, Mole Valley had a proud portfolio of many businesses who made our district their base. Conservative administrations managed to secure several business headquarters to take full advantage of our borough's strategic location, with businesses such as Unilever and ExxonMobil, and others setting up headquarters in the borough. Our efforts led to Mole Valley District Council under the Conservatives winning awards for the services it provided.
However, in recent years, Mole Valley's Liberal Democrat administration has failed to retain businesses, with several such as Unilever and Friends Provident (Aviva) moving out of the district. This has reduced the number of jobs in the local community. So why have businesses moved out of Mole Valley?
The lack of investment in economic development under the Liberal Democrats has played a significant part, with Mole Valley District Council spending just over £500,000 on this in the period between 2022 and 2024. Compare this to Tandridge District Council which is spending £2.3million on economic development in just its largest town alone between 2024 and 2027. Mole Valley District Council under the Liberal Democrats has not invested in economic development and has instead prioritised spending millions on vanity projects such as the refurbishment on Dorking Halls, which is woefully underdelivering.
Another factor is the appearance of our streets. In just one year up to 2024, waste and debris on roads and pavements has increased, with 10% more having detritus according to the Council's official Performance Report published in July 2024. This shows the Liberal Democrats have failed to take pride in our streets and if they are dirty and unwelcoming, businesses will not invest in our town centres.
Local Conservatives are calling on the Liberal Democrat administration to invest in securing more businesses so local people can have local jobs, our high streets will be revitalised and welcoming, and we can make use of our strategic location to create a hub for business in the Surrey Hills. We are also calling on the Liberal Democrats to get a grip on street cleaning so that residents and businesses are attracted to shopping in our towns.
Taylor O'Driscoll, Conservative Campaigner in Dorking and Horley says, "When East Surrey has an economy half the size of West of Surrey, it's disappointing that the Liberal Democrats running Mole Valley have chosen to invest a huge chunk of the council's budget - funded from residents and businesses, on vanity projects which only serves to boost the profile of Liberal Democrat politicians with aspirations for higher office. It's clear that if the streets aren't being cleaned, the Liberal Democrats aren't serious about the environment. Mole Valley needs strong leadership on growing the local economy and the Liberal Democrats have failed on this, which means that hardworking residents are losing local job opportunities. Residents deserve better than this."
Marisa Heath, Conservative Parliamentary Spokesperson for Dorking and Horley says, "In other parts of Surrey under Conservative administrations, there has been investment in high streets and it is very disappointing that the fantastic opportunity to have a vibrant and unique high street in Dorking has been missed by the Liberal Democrat run council. There has been a lot of talk of regeneration and support but no action, and business is struggling as a result. It is difficult to understand what the Liberal Democrats have delivered across Mole Valley apart from increased parking charges. Mole Valley has a very high number of small business owners and entrepreneurs, and it is shameful that the Liberal Democrats consider supporting them, and business broadly, such a low priority."
