The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) are responsible for regulating advertising. Their Code requires that adverts are legal, decent, honest and truthful.
However, political adverts, including newsletters, Facebook posts, Tweets, are exempt from the Code. Despite the ASA even believing that political adverts should be regulated, they don’t believe it should be their job to do it.
It is important therefore, that where a dubious claim appears, that you check the facts for yourself, and here we will try to highlight incidents that we believe are worth flagging.
If you feel that we have missed something, or may be at fault ourselves of failing to abide by this Code, please let us know by contacting our office and including a link or reference to the source that you think should be addressed.
Fact Check - 17th October 2023: Lib Dem Councillor incorrectly accuses Surrey County Councillor of being responsible for the closure of the M3 footbridge
The footbridge over the M3 connecting Lightwater and Bagshot was closed on Tuesday 3rd October 2023, after a survey of the bridge by National Highways identified structural defects. The decision to implement the emergency closure was taken by National Highways.
Despite this information being publicly accessible, Lib Dem Cllr Richard Wilson falsely accused Surrey County Council of being behind the closure at the Executive meeting of Surrey Heath Borough Council held on 17th October, stating: "At tonight's Borough Council Executive meeting I raised the issue of the M3 footbridge between Bagshot and Lightwater, which was recently closed with almost no notice, by Surrey County Council."
Fact Check - 18th June 2023: Councillors claim grants given to Frimley Green Pre-School
A claim was made by Lib Dem Councillors that they have donated grants from their award scheme towards play equipment at Frimley Green Pre-School. From the bank statements of the charity that runs the pre-school, it is evident that no Borough Councillor grant awards have been made, only empty promises.
Fact Check - 23rd May 2023: Conservatives investing in Surrey's Highways
During the recent local elections, residents we spoke to time and time again commented on the current state of roads across Surrey Heath. There were various different statements and claims made by other political parties over the current level of investment by Conservative led Surrey County Council in maintaining our local highways.
Fact Check - 22nd May 2023: Supporting investment in Frimley NHS Foundation Trust
Surrey Heath Conservatives have long been ardent supporters of our local NHS, campaigning strongly for a new hospital for Frimley NHS Foundation Trust. A recent leaflet distributed in Frimley Green has made false allegations that a "Tory Councillor Says No To Hospital Improvements”, failing to provide any meaningful context.
Fact Check - 20th April 2023: Chobham Independents defect to the Lib Dems - or do they?
Recently, it has been reported by Chobham News & Mail that two Independent Parish Councillors in Chobham have switched to become Lib Dems, however, this fails to acknowledge their long and deep ties to the party, with one having even previously stood, unsuccessfully, to be their prospective Parliamentary candidate.
Fact Check - 22nd February 2022: Surrey Heath Borough Council's Chief Executive pay award
Moira Gibson, the previous Leader of the Council, awarded the former Chief Executive of the Council, Karen Whelan, a pay award in January 2019. Moira did so outside of the delegated authority she had as Council Leader, and failed to declare this decision to the Executive. When this pay increase came to light, an independent report was commissioned with law firm Browne Jacobson.
Upon publication of the independent report in April 2020, it outlined how the actions of Moira and Karen in issuing and accepting these payments were 'unlawful' and 'unprecedented'. Cllr Alan McClafferty, the new Leader of the Council, issued a public apology to all residents on behalf of the Council for the actions of these two disgraced individuals who acted outside of the Conservative group's knowledge.
Fact Check - 18th February 2022: Surrey Heath Borough Council missing £40 million
Upon looking through the draft accounts and net figures of Surrey Heath Borough Council, there is no ‘loss’ of £40,000,000, as had been stated.
Fact Check - 16th January 2022: Where does your Council Tax go?
Taxes are one of life's burdens, and where this money that you pay goes is often the source of speculation. It is important to understand where your hard-earned money goes and what services it goes to help fund and support.
Fact Check - 18th March 2021: Debunking false allegations on the purchase of The Mall and House of Fraser in Camberley
At the time of the purchase of The Mall and the building House of Fraser currently occupies in Camberley by Surrey Heath Borough Council, these buildings were bought in support of the Council’s priorities to regenerate Camberley town centre, and not as a rental income investment.
The Council purchased the shopping centre by directly approaching the owner, thereby losing any competitive market tension. However, this gave the Council the best chance of securing the sites in support of their long term strategy to undertake a wholesale redevelopment of the town centre to make a better place to shop, visit and live for residents.
