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AN INVESTIGATION has revealed the true cost of the controversial Minerals Plan – and it does not make for pleasant reading for campaigners or even Surrey County Council.

More than £250,000 has been spent on consultation fees since work started on Surrey's Minerals Plan in 2003.

And, as protestors point out, this taxpayers' money is being used to fund a plan that does not need to be submitted.

A Freedom of Information request into the county council's coffers has found out the true extent of the money thrown into the current Minerals Plan.

The exact figure of £268,512 represents the amount of money spent on Surrey Minerals Plan consultations from 2003 to August 22, 2010.

However, this does not include elements which were not separately itemised, such as the contacts database set up jointly for the waste plan, Minerals Plan and statement of community involvement, and some printing and postage.

Amanda Griffiths, of the Oxted and Limpsfield Residents Group, was angry at the outlay of taxpayers' money.

She said: "I suspect residents will be outraged to learn that, yet again, our taxes are being used to pay private companies for services that we would have expected our council officers to provide.

"My real concern is that this figure of a quarter of a million pounds only deals with the consultation costs of the plan, and not the whole scheme.

"Our worry is that this is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of council spending."

The breakdown of the costs:

Consultations – including a report on Potential Mineral Zones, proposed documents for submission to Secretary of State and consultation on the revised Environment report.

Workshops and exhibitions – includes public meetings, stakeholder workshops and local exhibitions.

Expenditure – printing of most consultation documents, creation of website for online responses and mailout of notification letters.

The county council's Lynne Hack, cabinet member for the environment, said they are standing firm behind the current Minerals Plan which has outraged the whole district.

She said: "Unless there is new legislation or we receive new robust evidence to suggest otherwise, we feel as though we have come up with the best possible plan."

A DOG lover was honoured for wowing the audiences at the show

The South Eastern Gundog Society won the Winston Churchill Memorial Trophy for the best exhibit at the Edenbridge and Oxted show.

Society chairman Diana Harrison was presented with the award by the show president Jane Perring.

A show spokesman said: "They introduced some very successful new ideas including the chance for children to try handling gun dogs, which proved popular with the young visitors and their families."

Mrs Harrison accepted the award in the main ring surrounded by about two dozen gun dogs.

Other rural demonstrations around the showground included a sheep show, a mole show, a ferret show, a llama show, the Sussex Bat Hospital, beekeeping, fly fishing, farriery and cheesemaking.

The demonstrations all drew large crowds.

DONKEY-RIDERS galloped their way through the sunshine at a charity fundraiser over the bank holiday.

The Donkey Derby was the star attraction at the Godstone Village Fête on Bank Holiday Monday, which raised thousands for local charities.

Such was the demand at this year's event, there were tailbacks heading back on to Junction 6 on the M25 as cars queued in the sunshine to get in.

The village hall was turned into an arena for people to place their bets on the donkey races.

Simon Abbott, who was holding a stall for the Caterham, Oxted and Godstone (COG) Lions, said: "I tell you what, when the sun comes out it makes such a difference. I don't think I have ever seen as many people at this show before."

Colleague and president of the COGS, Tony Quincey, said they raised over £300 in food and drink alone.

"It has been perfect as we sold out all our hot food in the morning and the cold drinks disappeared after the sun came out," he said.

"What I like about it here is that it is not commercial. All the charities and stands are run by people from the area, so you know the money raised is coming back into Godstone."

As well as the races there were bouncy castles and food stalls for the children, as well as a demonstration from the Godstone Bowling Club.

The Alzheimer's Charity were using the event to promote their Godstone Memory Walk.

Lynne Watson of the charity said: "We have had a great day. The main purpose was to get people involved with our charity walk but we have also managed to sell quite a few things on our stall.

Organisations wishing to become beneficiaries of the fête, have to apply in writing to the committee. They are expected to take an active role in helping run the event. Since 1985, over £100,000 has been given to beneficiaries.

The present committee, are always looking for volunteers to join them.

If you require further details about this year's event, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Gathering support for our Scrap the Plan campaign, Surrey Mirror reporter Owen Evans joined supporters rallying against Surrey County Council's controversial Minerals Plan. Turn to page six.