St. Mary's Liberal Democrats

Election update

2010-04-14T08:23:00.000-07:00

Just weeks before crucial elections the Labour party in Andover has already given up the fight.

In the by-election for the vacant Anna ward borough council seat they haven’t bothered to nominate a candidate, leaving the election a three way contest between the Lib Dem candidate Tony Evans, a Tory and a UKIP candidate. This follows previous poor performances by Andover Labour in the 2009 county elections they came 4th with just 6% of votes cast and in the 2007 borough elections when they fielded just 5 candidates for 15 seats and gained less that 10% of the vote.

This poor performance confirms what we have all known for years that a vote for the Labour party in Andover and Test Valley is a wasted vote. In Andover voters have a simple choice - the current Tory administration or the Liberal Democrats.

The Labour party’s position is even more questionable when you consider that Labour party members, including their parliamentary candidate are standing under a “non political” banner for the Andover town (parish) council. Far better to be honest about your political allegiences and let the electorate decide whether you are fit for office. Perhaps they already know what would happen if they stood under a Labour banner.

Call for Parking Restrictions

2010-02-24T00:34:00.000-08:00

St Mary’s councillor Donald MacDonald has called for extra parking restrictions on River Way. The Walworth end of River Way is used as an unofficial car park by employees of local businesses. This causes traffic congestion and safety issues opposite the Pilgrim’s Way junction and outside Icknield School.

Donald has asked Highways officers to consider the introduction and enforcement of yellow lines opposite the Pilgrims Way junction and the Swallow public house. He has also asked for restrictions to prevent heavy goods vehicles using River Way as a rat run to and from the Walworth estate.

Picture shows Donald discussing parking issues with Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Tom McCann.

Tory school policy condemned

2010-02-17T00:20:00.001-08:00

Lib Dem ppc for NW Hampshire Tom McCann has condemned the Tories’ proposals for “free schools” as unworkable and anti-democratic.

The Tory proposals, leaked last week, would allow anyone to set up a school and take control of schools away from local authorities and hand it over to centralised control from Westminster. The plan is copied from a similar system tried but unproven in Sweden.

The proposals have been rejected as unworkable and too expensive by not only the government but also Tory county councils such as Kent and Hampshire. Andover county councillor and Hampshire education spokesman David Kirk said “choice is something we’d all dearly love to be able to offer, but choice costs.”

Tom believes control of schools should rest with local people through their elected councils. “It is not something to be privatised and handed out at the whim of a government minister” he said. “This shows the Conservatives commitment to localism to be a sham. A vote for them is a vote to replace Labour centralisation with Tory centralisation. Even their own party activists don’t trust them.”

Tories must come clean on tax

2010-02-17T00:16:00.000-08:00

North West Hampshire’s MP Sir George Young has let the cat out of the bag about the tax status of the Tory party’s biggest donor, Lord Ashcroft. For months debate has raged over whether Ashcroft actually lives in the UK and pays tax, or is a “non-dom” - not domiciled in the UK for tax purposes. If he doesn’t pay tax then he is barred from funding the Tory party and the millions he has poured into their campaigns would have to be repaid.

When quizzed about this on BBC’s Newsnight Sir George said “He is in the same position as a number of Labour peers who are non-domiciled and who fund the Labour party.” In other words he doesn’t pay the full rate of UK tax.

The Conservatives, who have previously opposed changes to the law which would have forced parliamentarians to end their status as non-doms, are now desperately trying to play down the fresh confusion over Ashcroft. Meanwhile Ashcroft’s company Bearcroft Corporate Services is under investigation by the Electoral Commission following complaints that he has used it to circumvent the rules on funding political parties.

Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Tom McCann commented “Ashcroft’s dubious tax position must be clarified. Ten years ago, when he was given a peerage, he promised to come clean and pay tax. He still hasn’t done so and he and the Tory party are hiding his true status. This makes a mockery of David Cameron’s claim to be a reformer in favour of cleaning up politics.”

Hear for yourself what Sir George said at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/8506284.stm

And read more of the story at
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/feb/09/lord-ashcroft-conservatives-tax

Lib Dems back 10:10 campaign

2010-02-17T00:10:00.001-08:00

Test Valley’s Liberal Democrats are calling on the borough council to sign up to the 10:10 campaign to cut carbon emissions by 10% in 2010.The motion submitted by Cllr Mark Cooper of Romsey and seconded by Cllr Len Gates of Andover highlights the success of the campaign and calls on Test Valley to join other Hampshire councils in actively supporting the 10:10 campaign.

Cllr Gates hopes the motion will get the support of all councillors. “Global warming is a far more serious threat to us and out future than anything else we have seen. It isn’t going to go away and it needs positive action to tackle it” he said. “This action is best taken at a local level and local councils have a major role to play. We can make a difference and we have a duty to do so.”

Tories refuse to support twinings workers

2010-01-16T14:31:00.000-08:00

Test Valley’s conservative councillors have rejected calls to back Twinings workers in their battle to save jobs in Andover. At Thursday’s council meeting they voted unanimously against a motion calling for them and the two local MPs to back the campaigners.

The motion proposed by Andover councillors Len Gates and Rod Bailey called on Test Valley’s MPs to support a parliamentary motion calling on Twinings to reverse their decision on redundancies and maintain full production at Andover.

In a sometimes angry debate, successive conservatives claimed it was not their responsibility to intervene and refused to back the workers calls for a review of the proposals. Instead they committed themselves to the company’s proposals and pledged the council to help find alternative work for those employees discarded by Twinings.

Speaking after the debate Cllr Gates said “I am disappointed the conservative group, like their MP, have chosen to ignore these calls for help. It raises doubts about their commitment to protecting jobs and securing real economic growth in Andover.”

Bus routes deferred

2010-01-16T11:26:00.000-08:00

Campaigners have expressed disappointment that Test Valley Borough Council will not be debating changes to local bus routes at its January meeting. A motion submitted by Andover councillors Len Gates and Mike McGarry calling for a review of the changes and the subsidy given by Hampshire County Council will be deferred to the council’s Overview and Scrutiny committee for consideration.

Commenting on the decision Cllr Gates said “It is a pity we will net be able to discuss the proposals now. I would now expect the committee to look at this and report back to full council as soon as possible. The county council must accept Andover is a growing town and needs an adequate public bus network. Not everyone has access to cars; many residents rely on the buses. We should be encouraging everyone to reduce CO2 emissions by using cars less and buses more and yet the county is sanctioning by its actions a reduction in bus services.”

Councillors will still discuss the matter at the Andover Forum on 25th January when Cllr Rod Bailey has called for a report on the proposals to be presented.

Tom McCann backs Litter Campaign

2009-12-01T00:46:00.001-08:00

During a tour of Andover to meet local community activists Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Tom McCann met anti-litter campaigner Manuela Wahnon.

Tom and Manuela discussed her Attitude of Gratitude to clean up Andover and the rest of Test Valley. Manuela’s philosophy is simple “we’ve always got something to be grateful for in our lives, so with that in mind, obviously don't drop litter, but if you pick up one piece of litter a day you can make the world you live in a better place. “

Tom praised her hard work, funded entirely from her own limited resources, as an example of how individuals can and do make a difference to their communities. “As a Liberal Democrat I believe in empowering communities to take responsibility for their surroundings. Manuela is a shining example to all of us”

Tom will be joining Manuela and other Andover residents on a litter pick sometime in the New Year.

Full details of Manuela’s campaign can be found at http://www.attitudeofgratitude.co.uk/

Andover Lib Dems call for improved Bus Services

2009-11-29T09:49:00.000-08:00

Andover Lib Dems are backing local calls for a review of bus services in the town. Test Valley Lib Dem leader Len Gates has already condemned Stagecoach’s proposals to reschedule local services in January. “The new routes and timetables represent a cut in services” he said. “Stagecoach has been forced into this position because of lack of funding from the Tory controlled county council.”

Len and St Mary’s councillor Rod Bailey have held discussions with county councillors on the matter and Rod has called for a report on the new services to be brought to the next Andover Forum. Both believe the county and borough council should be looking for ways to increase not cut local services.

Andover’s Lib Dems are also fully behind the campaign to bring Sunday bus services to Andover. Len Gates and parliamentary candidate Tom McCann recently met local campaigner Barbara Carpenter and gave their full support to her petition for Sunday bus services. The petition is available in many shops around town or from len.gates@andover.co.uk.

Speaking after the meeting Tom said “local shops are now open on Sundays and many other events take place in the town centre after the buses have stopped running. The local councils should be looking at ways to encourage people into the town centre. Not everyone has access to a car or wants to use one. A good public transport service is essential to the economy and future of Andover.”

Bandstand - Latest

2009-11-28T07:29:00.000-08:00

Despite promises to do so leading Tories have failed to find funding for a replacement bandstand for Andover.

Assurances given at successive Andover forums were forgotten as the council’s cabinet voted to allocate cabinet funds to other projects including last minute additions to the budget program for projects in Romsey.

I raised this at Thursday’s full council meeting when I was told that the bid would be reconsidered next year and that no attempt had been made to find private funding to help replace the demolished building.

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Romsey’s successful bandstand was built with private funding topped up by a contribution from Test Valley. I and and your other Lib Dem councillors will be pushing to ensure the same happens in Andover.

A Town Council For Andover

2009-11-28T07:20:00.000-08:00

Test Valley Borough Council have finally given in and approved plans which will lead to a town council for Andover

Andover’s Lib Dem councillors have been calling for this since 1988. The change of heart came after two successive yes votes in consultations carried out across the town. I welcome the decision which puts local decision-making back where it belongs - with local people.

I and my Lib Dem colleagues all voted yes for the proposals which were opposed by just two councillors. We had two clear yes votes and must respect the voters views. Andover has a great future and the new parish (town) council will be an important part of that future helping to build a stronger and more inclusive community.

Elections for the new council will take place in 2010 and councilors will sit for five years rather than four.I have some reservations about a five year term but this seems the only option unless Andover has an expensive second election in 2011.

I am sure the new council will be a success and will work with Test Valley to improve the town. I hope all residents will support the new council including those who up till now have opposed its creation. Its your town and your council. Get involved and make it work. That’s what local democracy is about. Together we can all make Andover a better place for ourselves and for future generations.

If you are interested in becoming a town councillor contact me at len.gates@andover.co.uk.

Road Closure in Smannell - Again

2009-11-28T07:08:00.000-08:00

Test Valley Borough Council have confirmed that Green Lane Smannell will be closed from 7 December for three months to allow works to lay improved telephone cabling between Little London and Smannell.

The closure was originally scheduled for 23rd November and caused widespread local anger because of the lack of notice given to residents. I agree with residents that the earlier closure was unacceptable and have concerns about the new proposals. I have spoken to the contractors who assured me it will be a rolling closure and disruption to residents will be kept to a minimum. They hope work will be completed in eight weeks rather than the three months proposed. I have also contacted Test Valley Highways department to confirm that the closure will not apply over Christmas and the road will be open to all traffic between 25th and 28th December inclusively. At other times residents will need to use the diversion via Enham.

Rumours this work is connected to the project to improve broadband provision in Little London are untrue. While the works will undoubtedly improve service to some households contractors are only laying copper cables which will not supply the broadband service called for by local residents. The Smannell Broadband group is still negotiating with Hampshire County Council on a project to bring adequate broadband coverage to the parish. I hope to report further on this in the New Year.

THINK AGAIN ON JOB CUTS

2009-11-22T10:38:00.001-08:00

Local Liberal Democrats have called for a rethink on the proposed job cuts at Twinings. Prospective parliamentary candidate Tom McCann and Test Valley councillor Len Gates spoke after meeting union members and officials to discuss the proposals.

Tom McCann welcomed the offers of support and retraining for affected workers and urged staff to make full use of them. “But first” he said “the company should explore all other options. Twinings is an important part of Andover’s economy. A successful and expanding Twinings factory is essential for the future of the Walworth industrial park and of Andover. Equally Twinings needs Andover and its work force. The company must sit down with unions and other parties to find ways of protecting and expanding production on this site.”

Len Gates added “Twinings is a successful company with a reputation for quality. That quality comes not just from their products but from the skill and dedication of their work force. These skills cannot be automatically transferred to new factories abroad. The company’s main markets are the UK and Western Europe. It would be in the company’s best interest to continue to supply these markets from the Andover site.”

Both Tom and Len will continue to work with the unions and other agencies to protect jobs and promote investment in Andover.

Jubilee Benches

2009-09-21T07:33:00.001-07:00

The pair of wooden Jubilee benches currently installed outside Andover’s Guildhall will shortly be removed for refurbishment following persistent misuse.

Councillor Marion Kerley arranged for the benches to be installed during her year as Mayor of Test Valley in 2000. She says “Sadly the benches are now so badly damaged that they have to be removed. In light of the vandalism over the years and the impending change to the use of the Lower Guildhall, it is now planned to refurbish and relocate them to other parts of the town where they can be fully appreciated and used as they should be.”

Cllr Len Gates has spoken to Mrs Kerley regarding this and expressed local concerns that the seats were to be removed and today emailed the corporate director at Test Valley to re-enforce this point as follows.

“I was disappointed to hear these benches were to be moved from the Guildhall. While I accept they need renovation to take them away permanently from the Guildhall and High Street is to remove a frequently used public facility.

On almost every occasion I’ve been in town I have seen people using them despite the fact they are damaged. Furthermore to remove them prior to giving Prezzo permission to use the Guildhall forecourt implies the decision to allow Prezzo to occupy this area is already made. In fact this point has been made in a letter in today’s Andover Advertiser.

I would prefer to see them remain where they are in front of the Guildhall and facing down the High Street. If they have to be moved can they be relocated either at the sides or further forward of the cobbled area so local residents still have the opportunity to sit there, in the sun, and enjoy the view of the High Street.”

Bandstand comes down

2009-07-28T11:16:00.001-07:00

Andover’s Vigo Road bandstand has now been demolished. At this stage it is appropriate that we look at how this came to pass and what lessons we learn from it.

The bandstand hasn’t been used as a bandstand since the 1960s. Most recently it was used as an aviary and many locals fondly remember the budgies in there. They were re-housed two years ago when changes in animal welfare legislation made it impossible to keep them there any more. Their removal in no way affected the integrity of, or future uses for, the building. Neither does the fact that once someone let a cat into the aviary.

Since then the building has been left empty, boarded up and frequently vandalised. The costs of repairing damage have run into thousands of pounds but at no time has anyone from Test Valley thought what should we do with this important local landmark. In May of this year TVBC Leisure department arranged a survey of the building and found it to be beyond repair. They submitted a recommendation to Cllr Mrs Noakes, cabinet member for Leisure that it be removed. Mrs Noakes, together with Cllr Ian Carr, leader of the Council authorised its immediate demolition. It was not unsafe and was in no danger of falling down. This has since been confirmed by council officers and by the fact that it withstood fairly heavy treatment in its demolition.

The decision was discussed informally by cabinet members, but at no time were other councillors informed or consulted. To date neither Cllrs Noakes nor Carr have felt the need to contact any of the three councillors in whose ward the bandstand stood and discuss the matter. The first they knew of the demolition was when they heard from the local press at least a month after the decision was made.

Since then Cllrs Gates and Bailey have had detailed conversations with council officers about the bandstand. Unfortunately, the bandstand was beyond repair, refurbishment or relocation elsewhere. The only reason for its removal was to get it out of the way in time for the BigFest on August 15th. This is despite the fact that the plans for the BigFest show all activities taking place at the other end of the park. Any attempt to postpone demolition would be referred to the next cabinet meeting in September. In other words it was coming down within the next week whatever local members said or did.

They did manage to agree with officers that we and a representative of the local history society could attend the demolition to ensure as much as possible of the building and its history could be saved. To that end Cllrs Len Gates and Mike McGarry and David Borrett checked the building before work started and monitored the works. As a result the weathervane and an engraved beam (previously unknown to council officers) were saved. Nothing else could be saved, a sad end to a much loved building.

Talking since to residents it is apparent there is a need and demand for a replacement. Andover Lib Dems will be pushing for this as soon as possible. We also need to ask why and how it came to this stage that there was no option but demolition. And we need some explanations and apologies from Cllrs Carr and Noakes who have lost touch with Andover, its people and their views.

Bandstand Outcry

2009-07-20T14:11:00.000-07:00

Andover Liberal Democrat councillors have reacted angrily to council leader Ian Carr’s decision to demolish Vigo Road’s bandstand.

Speaking on Andover Sound Cllr Carr claimed it was within the remit of council officers to demolish the bandstand whenever they wanted. Officers consulted Cllr Carr and other cabinet members but significantly no-one bothered to advise or consult local councillors. When asked whether an Andover town council could have saved the bandstand he retorted the bandstand belongs to Test Valley and so they can do what they like with it.

Discussions have taken place about moving the bandstand and Cllr Carr also admitted he had no resources for a new bandstand and appealed for members of the public to come forward and pay for a replacement. When quizzed on the adverse publicity the decision had received he angrily blamed people for giving false information to the press. He also accused fellow conservative members of forgetting they had been advised of the decision which was made by the council’s cabinet only one of whom is an Andover member. Significantly only Tory councillors were advised of the decision.

St Mary’s councillor Rod Bailey said “The bandstand is an important local landmark and residents are furious that the decision has been made without consultation. The first I knew about it was when the story appeared in the local paper. This is unacceptable.”

Fellow ward councillor Mike McGarry said “I am appalled at the way this whole fiasco has been handled by the Leader and his Cabinet, firstly they make this decision without consulting the local people or the ward councillors, undemocratically giving us no chance to comment, secondly when residents are up in arms they try to rush it through so there is no going back and thirdly Cllr Carr makes promises about a replacement that he knows can’t happen in the current economic climate. How can he justify spending money on knocking it down, let alone building a new one when TVBC are making people redundant? ”.

Lib Dem leader Len Gates commented “Once again Cllr Carr and his colleagues have shown complete disregard for the people of Andover and behaved like feudal landlords in their attitude to the town. As with the Guildhall, the bandstand has been allowed to fall into disrepair and then this disrepair used as an excuse to destroy another part of Andover’s heritage. The latest claim is that the bandstand is so unsafe that it must be demolished immediately. If this is the case, surely it has been unsafe for sometime and has not therefore been maintained properly. Andover residents deserve some straight answers from Cllr Carr.”

Liberal Democrats on Test Valley Borough Council will be seeking a review of the decision making process and assurances that the bandstand will be replaced and preferably restored elsewhere in the park.

Guildhall losses finally admitted

2009-07-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

In a written answer to last night’s Andover Councillors Forum it was finally admitted that the council has lost money as a result of leaving the lower Guildhall empty.

While full figures have not been given, council officers have confirmed that lettings income for the Upper Guildhall and Rendezvous is £5,500 down on income from the Upper and Lower Guildhalls over the previous year. In addition the council has spent £114,000 on set up costs for the Rendezvous. No figure has been given for the running costs (maintenance and staffing) of the two facilities.

This adds up to £119,500 of council taxpayers money spent on closing the lower Guildhall and setting up an alternative facility that no-one wanted and very few people use. Most of the previous users of the lower Guildhall have since found alternatives to the Rendezvous because it is inadequate and in the wrong place. They also dispute council claims that facilities at the Rendezvous are superior to those at the Guildhall.

In addition the council has still to see any rental income from Prezzo as no contracts have been signed. The value of this rental is described as confidential commercial information. However it has previously been claimed to be more than enough to cover running costs of both the Guildhall and the Rendezvous.

Cllr Len Gates said "I believe the answers given are totally inadequate. The costs and future of the Rendezvous and Guildhall are due to be reviewed by the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee later this year. I will insist on a more detailed response then".

PHAB back in Guildhall

2009-06-19T07:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I visited Andover Guildhall to see the return of PHAB.

As one of the long term users of the Lower Guildhall PHAB they were very much a part of the town centre scene and it’s good to see them back in the Guildhall in the High Street. Their forced removal to the Rendezvous proved to be a disaster with next to no-one attending their coffee mornings and complaints about the alternative facility especially about the poor quality of the toilets.

Attendance in the Upper Guildhall today was similar to previously attained in the lower Guildhall and many locals welcomed them back. I wish them well for the future and hope those councillors who foolishly voted to relocate charities from the Guildhall to an unsuitable side street shop will now admit their mistake.

PHAB will be in the Upper Guildhall on Thursday’s for the next month at least. A lift is available for those unable to climb the stairs.

Cllr Len Gates

A sad day for the Guildhall

2009-06-06T08:34:00.000-07:00

At a meeting of Test Valley’s Northern Area Planning Committee, approval was given for advertising signs on the Guildhall. The application was from Prezzo for signs on the windows and plaques on each door announcing their presence in the building. I am pleased to report that a further application for illuminated lecterns with menus outside the building was withdrawn.Many residents have objrcted to the signs and I agree with them. The proposal is that every window (24 in all) will have Prezzo emblazoned across it in addition to three further plaques mounted on the walls. This I believe is completely over the top and will spoil the building the centre of our town and an important tourist attraction. There can be no-one in North West Hampshire that doen’t know Prezzo are moving into the Guildhall. We do not need 24 reminders across every available window.I was disappointed to hear some members of the committee arguing that the approval must be given so as to speed up the conversion of the building into a restaurant and that any one opposing the application was trying to block the changeover. Council officers made it quite clear that the change of use and the alterations to the building were separate matters and that one does not automatically follow the other.My ammendment, backed by St Mary’s ward councillor Mike McGarry, to restrict signs to the doors only was defeated by eighteen votes to two. A sad day for the Guildhall and for Andover