Cllr Monica Weller

Ward: Bookham West

Liberal Democrat Member

I have lived in Great Bookham for 34 years, am an investigative journalist and perhaps best known for researching and writing a book about an historic miscarriage of justice. I am a public speaker and photographer who turned to writing after working as a senior manager for a local charity and have always been interested and involved in the community.

I look forward to formally utilising my skills gained over the years, for the benefit of the community, putting forward residents’ views and concerns when appropriate.

I fiercely oppose inappropriate Green Belt development, will support a Local Plan fit for purpose and will argue for local people when the Plan is examined by the Inspector.

I regularly fly the flag for the Shop Local campaign and the local economy and will continue working creatively to inject new life into Bookham’s shopping centre, which is at the heart of the community. While promoting green benefits of shopping locally I will support measures for remodelling a greener shopping centre in the transition to a zero-carbon economy.

I endorse the Active Travel campaign for safer cycling and walking. Having listened to, and reported, residents’ complaints to Surrey County Council about Bookham’s roads and pavements which in places are in a poor state of repair, I have empathy particularly with residents who have mobility issues who now feel trapped in their homes because they can no longer navigate the crumbling surfaces to get to the village. I hope to be a strong voice for their future concerns and believe that any proposals for Active Travel must be part of a joined-up approach with properly repaired roads and pavements.

With the surge in cycling, I believe we can maximise our Olympic cycling legacy, harnessing the trade that cyclists can bring to our village.

I endorse the Liberal Democrats’ climate change strategy. Having listened to residents’ fears about speeding traffic I am campaigning for road safety and traffic pollution awareness and will support initiatives for 20mph zones and road calming in the village if backed by residents. I will also voice residents’ concerns about the situation regarding raw sewage in the River Mole.

A lack of activites in Bookham for young people is of great concern to me. To stop the increase in anti-social behaviour I believe we must invest in our young people. To do this we need to provide safe spaces for spending time with friends, provide access to role models to help them grow and develop and provide more part-time activities. I believe that talking face to face, possibly in focus groups, listening to young people’s needs, making sure their views are heard by decision makers, is empowering.

I have a strong social conscience and hope to be an effective voice for Bookham North.

I am a Fellow of The Royal Photographic Society, and international photographic judge and currently President of Bookham Camera Club. I enjoy pilates and walking.

Contact Details

Address
c/o Mole Valley District Council
Pippbrook
Dorking
Surrey
RH4 1SJ
United Kingdom

Email
councillor.weller@molevalley.gov.uk

Telephone number
07811799582

Committee membership

Other Council appointments

Plastic Free Bookham Steering Group