There are plenty of injustices in the world. Some cost hundreds or thousands of lives: others are less severe by this measure but can lead to debt, mental-health problems and relationship failures. In their different ways, each exhibits a case of an organisation acting unethically, badly, self-interestedly or illegally against customers, residents or the wider public. All of them need to be called out.

We’re lucky enough to live in a country where – sometimes with a lot of effort – such injustices can be exposed. Campaigners may end up devoting years or even decades to fighting an adversary that will always have deeper pockets then they do. Villains are exposed, always reluctantly and sometimes with no particular consequences being visited upon them. Heroes emerge as well. The latest action taken by one of them is described below.

We’ve been documenting the CIL injustice for several years: first in West Berkshire (where it was resolved in 2024) and later in a number of other districts, including Waverley in Surry (where it has not).

The injustice: a potted history

For those unfamiliar with the issue, CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) is a charge on development introduced by the coalition government. It gives local councils with planning powers that wish to use it (most do) the ability to use this to levy payments for new houses which they then use to mitigate the effect of these new dwellings. New playgrounds, surgeries, schools, community centres and many other things in your area may well have been wholly or partly funded through CIL. Most agree that the general principle is fair and sound.

Unfortunately, the legislation was poorly drafted and left too much latitude to local councils to interpret how this should be applied and enforced. Some have decided to use it as a means of ensnaring residents performing home improvements and triggering liability for a charge which, as many commentators and MPs now agree, was never designed to be used for this purpose. After all, such alterations do not place any additional burden on the area’s infrastructure demands.

None the less, some councils have decided that this is a morally acceptable way to raise money.

Life-changing and eye-watering sums

The sums are not small – “eye-watering” and “life-changing” are two phrases we’ve frequently used.

A fine of £235 would be a pain for many. £2,350 would, in most cases, hurt quite a lot. As for £23,500, there are few people who would not as a result need to cash in savings or make adjustments to their lifestyle. Imagine how you might feel if you got a bill for that as a result of a technical paperwork error relating to  work which often should have been exempted from CIL in any case.

In fact, the highest unfair charge that we’re aware of is ten times higher than this – a staggering £235,000.

To see the most recent stand-alone article we’ve written on this please click here. This also provides links to the previous ones.

Local heroes

In West Berkshire, the problem was exposed, tracked down and finally resolved as a result of the efforts of many people. Three – CIL victim Maria Dobson, former WBC Councillor Claire Rowles and current WBC Leader Jeff Brooks – would surely take the podium places. Elsewhere, the battles continue.

In Waverley, however, one undoubted hero has emerged: Steve Dally. Despite having had his charge refunded by Waverley Borough Council as a result of as a result of an admission of error by the Council (which it judges to apply only to his case), he’s continued his tireless campaign on behalf of other victims, in Waverley and elsewhere.

Elections provide a good way of highlighting local concerns. At a local level, standing as independent is much more likely to succeed than it is at general elections – about 15% of local councillors are independent, a proportion that, if repeated at Westminster, would give us about a hundred independent MPs.

Steve Dally has taken the opportunity to stand as an independent councillor in the election for the new West Surrey Council (in the Godalming South, Milford and Witley ward) on 7 May (there will no further Waverley elections as, due to the government’s local-government reorganisation, the borough is going to disappear and become part of the new West Surrey unitary authority in 2027).

You can see his election statement in full below.

We wish him all the best in his campaign. Win or lose, the election will highlight the issue to many people, including those in Westminster who’re considering what (badly needed) changes need to be made to the legislation.

For many, CIL is not a concern because they haven’t experienced it. However, as many will testify, it can easily trap the most law-abiding people in its net. If you live in Waverley (or one of at least twenty other districts) and you’re planning a home extension, there’s a chance the next victim could be you.

Steve Dally’s campaign is designed to ensure that this will no longer happen. So, let’s hear from the man himself…

Steve Dally’s election statement

My name is Steve Dally, and I am standing as an independent candidate in the West Surrey election on 7 May – free from party politics and fully committed to representing YOU.

You may ask: why stand for public office now, at 66, when I could be enjoying retirement?

The answer is simple. After six years of personal experience with Waverley Borough Council – and seeing how many other residents have been treated – I could no longer sit on the sidelines.

I grew up in a mining community, I  saw how politics can fail ordinary people when ambition comes before community. That shaped my decision early in life to avoid politics.

But recently, I’ve seen and experienced things I cannot ignore.

My wife and I faced serious consequences simply for trying to improve our home – threats that included losing it, even imprisonment and a £70,000 fine. That experience revealed a system lacking fairness, accountability and basic respect.

When I asked local councillors for help, they would not challenge their leadership. One did not even respond. We may not always agree—but courtesy and respect should be the minimum.

That’s when it became clear: too many councillors are focused on process and party politics – not people. Decisions that deeply affect residents’ lives are being made without enough thought, care, or proper challenge.

So I decided: if no one else will stand up and speak out, then I will. After six yeas of taking on this Administration – last year Waverley admitted error and agreed to refund us so we could pay off debts Waveley had forced on us

I am now standing as an Independent because local government should serve residents, not systems. It should listen, act fairly, and be held accountable.

This is not just about ME – it’s about all of US.

Over the past 18 months, I’ve attended more council meetings and spoken more from the public gallery than many elected councillors. Even party leaders have acknowledged that.

The truth is, too many candidates stand  for election, simply to make up the numbers for political parties. If elected, many focus more on party priorities than local needs. That is something I am determined to challenge.

I believe the primary responsibility of a councillor is to represent the people who elected them – to fight injustice, support those who cannot fight for themselves, and treat all residents with fairness and respect.

Too many councillors serve party leadership instead of the public – voting as instructed, backing personal ambitions, and approving wasteful spending on vanity projects.

If you attend council meetings, you may be surprised by what you see. At times, it feels more like theatre than responsible decision-making, with important issues driven by party lines rather than residents’ needs.

Over the past 18 months, I’ve helped expose serious issues in Waverley’s policies and practices. This has led to real change, including:

• A new discretionary review for homeowners affected by CIL
• A complete rewrite of enforcement rules that had threatened families with losing their homes
• Raising governance concerns that have led to improvements in council procedures

Because of this work, I was approached by some existing councillors frustrated with how the council operates and encouraged to stand for election.

After careful thought, I decided I could no longer remain on the sidelines.

So I am standing for Godalming South, Milford, and Witley – not for political ambition, but to serve the people who live here.

My approach is simple: I will listen to residents – and if something is right and just, I will fight for it.

I believe in straightforward principles:

• Representing the people who elect me
• Holding leadership to account
• Delivering better local services

Unlike party candidates, I don’t come with a fixed agenda. I have no hidden agenda and no political career to protect—just a commitment to making a difference locally.

If elected, I will be guided by integrity, selflessness, objectivity, openness, honesty, and leadership.

I also bring a proven track record. My campaign supporting homeowners affected by CIL has reached national level. I have lobbied 33 MPs and secured a Westminster Hall debate to address these injustices which will take place on Wednesday 29 April.

This shows what can be achieved by standing up and refusing to accept unfairness.

Your vote truly matters. In 2023, control of Waverley Borough Council was decided by just 30% of votes cast, on a turnout of 39%. That means decisions affecting everyone were effectively determined by around 11% of eligible voters.

That is why every vote counts. So on 7 May, I urge you: please vote.

This is a local election. It should be about local people, local issues, and local accountability—not national party politics. The needs of South Godalming, Milford, and Witley risk being lost in a much larger system unless you elect representatives focussed on local needs

VOTE for someone who will represent YOU – not their parties’ interests.

With many candidates on the ballot, votes may be split – especially when some are there simply to serve party agendas. I am standing to represent YOU.

If you want someone independent, accountable, and prepared to speak up—someone focused entirely on local needs—then I ask for your support.

Vote Independent.
Vote for representation that will fight for you.