It is understood that MVDC is proposing a cut in funding of nearly £12,000 in the financial year 2009/10 and a further £10,000 in 2010/11. In addition it appears the Council will not be renewing the lease of the Leatherhead premises leaving only one CAB in Mole Valley.

At a time when we are in a deep recession and client enquiries were up 37%, mortgage arrears up 85%, bankruptcies 85% and credit card arrears 72%, this is difficult to understand.

In the first half of this financial year 8,000 clients were helped and more than £250,000 in benefits payments were achieved. Wages were reinstated and debts written off. All this achieved by only 6 part-time staff supported by 80 highly trained volunteers.

This CAB is a valuable resource and should not be allowed to disappear. Post your comments here.

Tesco have exhibited plans for a supermarket on the site of the Esso garage in The Street. They beat Waitrose to the site and it seemed most people were in favour of a Waitrose shop. Is it that we don't want a supermarket, or we don't want Tescos? The purchase is now a 'done deal' so there's no use bemoaning the loss of Waitrose, but do we want a supermarket in Ashtead or not? Will it encourage trade in The Street like in Craddocks Parade? Will the APMH suffer through lack of parking? Will the Woodfield Road junction become a nightmare? Comments please.

A Questionnaire was sent to residents and the results are now available to view on the Residents' web site www.ashteadresidents.org.uk.