Uncontested Election

OUR town is YOUR Town

A year ago, with a feeling of both bewilderment at winning and honor for the selection, I took my seat for the first time on Whitchurch Town Council.
I had not expected to be elected, let alone top the poll.
However with an election of the whole Council due this May, the seat at the table was only for one year, not the customary four.

I had stood primarily because I believe strongly in local democracy and that local people need a voice, and also that local representatives should have that important 'X' placed next to their name.

Yet this year, when all 12 seats were up for election,  there have only been 10 nominations. This means all 10 have been elected through an 'Uncontested Election' and there are two vacancies.

However technically correct it may be that such candidates are still 'elected', there is something that 'irks' in the process. 'Uncontested Elections' and co-opted positions lack that immediate confirmation of acceptance from the electorate.

Notwithstanding this, every one of those who have stood have done it with good intentions – because they all believe in 'Whitchurch' and have skills and knowledge to offer. All deserve the utmost support and respect of the community as they offer their best for us all. In fact I believe there is a very good Council that works extremely well together. That regrettable period of 'resignations a couple of years back is now history.
Commitment is not in question.

So why so few candidates?

Sadly the same has happened in so many other areas. Out of 36 Parishes in the Basingstoke and Deane area that were due to hold elections this Spring, only four had residents placing that all important 'X'.
Whitchurch's ten nominations for the twelve seats was not even one of the lowest. Our neighbours in Overton fared even worse, attracting only eight nominations for their twelve seats.

This all saddens me. The fact that so few of our local residents came forward to help run the Town is disappointing. In fact it is Very Disappointing and something that I believe the Town Council needs to address.

Some may say it is apathy, others claim it is a disillusionment with local representation, which can be understandable when you look at the behaviour of some politicians. Others say "but nothing will change; what's the point?"

Making change
Well the point is that for change to take place you do need to get involved and participate in improving the Town's well-being.
Whitchurch is OUR TOWN. Its where many of US work and shop, where OUR children play and learn, where we enjoy OUR leisure, and above all where WE live.

It is a place to be proud of.

The Town Council is now trying to fill those vacant seats by co-option and has called for interested residents to offer their services.

Could you offer anything?

UPDATE
Four local residents stood for co-option Two candidates were selected and the Town Council now has its full compliment.
TWO NEW COUNCILLORS CO-OPTED

School Expansion - WHOLE Town is affected

SCHOOL EXPANSION - and Travel Strategies

Hampshire County Council has issued a consultation on expansion of the Whitchurch Primary School. This is much needed as the area's population increases and there is more pressure on school places – our children need to be educated.

It is time for joined-up thinking on an issue that reaches far wider than just the school gates.

Major conflicts
It is not just the roads adjacent to the school that have problems.
Access to the school is already at near capacity with Alliston Way, Micheldever Road and Winchester Road bearing the brunt. Meanwhile the whole town suffers major traffic congestion at 'school run' time.

When combined with the school buses, Tesco deliveries, and dustcart collections the whole town can be pretty much close to gridlock. Frustrations and conflicts set in as people are made late for work and dangers increase as drivers even take to pavements.

Heaven help us if there was an emergency at this time. This effects us all, whether we walk, cycle or drive, and whether we are from outside or from within the town.

This is a Whole-Town issue, it's not just about the school. 

Space
The fact is we are reaching a situation where we just don't have the space to continue current expectations of free and easy travel.
Hampshire want to increase the school pupil numbers by around 40% to cater for increasing numbers of children in the area. This comes on the heels of Basingstoke Borough requiring the town to take at least 350 new houses, and the County's decision not to expand Overton Primary school

An alternative?
Many are already complaining about impending gridlock; that only Whitchurch children should go to Whitchurch schools, and that playing fields will need to be tarmaced over for car parks.
However, there is an alternative – we have an opportunity – one for change, and one where perhaps we should be looking at our whole attitude towards local travel.
But it needs Joined-up Thinking.

So where are the opportunities?
At the moment they are rather fragmented, but wouldn't it be good if everyone could work together for a common aim – the benefit of Whitchurch?
There are a number of travel-based issues that are all arising at the same time.

Could they not all be considered together?
Is it too much to ask for all parts of this jigsaw to fit together?

Here are EIGHT pieces. 
Will they be considered together, or in isolation?

JIGSAW PART ONE

SCHOOL TRAVEL PLAN – REVIEW
As part of the Primary School's expansion Hampshire County Council say they are to revise their Travel Plan. There is a massive rise in obesity in children, along with increasing risks of coronary illnesses and greater chance of diabetes, all caused by a lack of exercise, while child social development is being hindered by a lack of play and independence. Travel Plans can help address these issues through various initiatives if properly implemented. HCC say the Plan sets out measures to "Encourage and enable pupils, parents, guardians and staff to walk and cycle to school."Review of their Travel Plan and how the School interacts with the local community is long overdue, the last being over ten years ago. 
HCC needs to involve the whole local community in its consultation.

JIGSAW PART TWO

WHITCHURCH NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
Over the last 2 years the Whitchurch Neighbourhood Plan has been developed by a Steering Committee under the auspices of the Town Council. This has included widespread public consultation on how the town should develop and how it can cater for 350 new homes. Traffic and parking were a prime concern in the public feedback while second in the list of community wishes was the need for improved walking and cycling routes.
This should be built upon and implemented.

JIGSAW PART THREE

BOROUGH CYCLING / WALKING STRATEGY
In April Basingstoke and Deane commenced consultation on a Cycling Strategy for the Borough and has appointed Sustrans, a national sustainable transport charity to assist. A mapping exercise is underway to determine best routes for walking and cycling, but at the moment it is very much Basingstoke Town biased. Whitchurch and the rural areas need to be fully involved. Deadlines are imminent.
Local residents should be able to input their views.

JIGSAW PART FOUR

COUNTY 'ROAD USERS' CONSULTATIONS
While Basingstoke and Deane are creating their Cycling Strategy for the Borough, Hampshire County Council have announced their own "which will be going out to public consultation, in the next few weeks, and we are welcoming comments/views, form various organisations who use the roads, including cyclists, drivers, pedestrians and public transport passengers."
It is not certain why there are two separate 'strategies' being developed but... 
Local input is essential.

JIGSAW PART FIVE

B3400 / WELLS-IN-THE-FIELD / OVERTON
Part of the requirement for the new school places is the need to cater for children from around Whitchurch, other areas being Overton and Freefolk/Laverstoke. There has long been a need for a safe footpath / cycle route along the B3400 and in particular to Wells-in-the-Field. With the opening of the new Gin Distillery Visitors' Centre, this latter link is of even more importance. Early in 2014 a feasibility study was produced and in April this year the Town Council was given the excellent news that "the legal process was under way to create a new footpath which would incorporate a cycle route, and funding had been secured through developer contributions."
This should now be pushed forward with vigour.

JIGSAW PART SIX

PARKING
Throughout the town parking is a major concern as shown in the Neighbourhood Plan responses. Much illegal parking on pavements, verges and corners takes place that adds danger to all road users. Along with the creation of safe routes across town to access homes, shops, schools, workplaces and community amenites, parking needs addressing as part of a whole transport strategy for Whitchurch. Provision of special drop off areas around the town may be part of a solution to easing traffic congestion, while time restrictions could be placed on HGV loading / deliveries.
The Neighbourhood Plan has a major part to play.

JIGSAW PART SEVEN

'WALKERS ARE WELCOME' ACCREDITATION
Walking has always been a popular activity in Whitchurch, and the local Walking for Health group has gone from strength to strength often with more than 50 taking part on their organised walks. A local charity, the Whitchurch Association, is presently applying for the town to be accredited as a 'Walkers are Welcome' location, a nationally recognised listing. The Town Council has already given its support.
This can be built upon.

NEW ITEM ADDED 12th May:
JIGSAW PART EIGHT

KNOWLINGS AFFORDABLE HOUSING additional traffic
The Town Council and HARAH (Hampshire Alliance for Rural Affordable Housing) are supporting the building of 25 homes on the nearby Knowlings field, which will have the same traffic access as used by the Primary School. a) will pedestrian/cycle routes be linked to the school, and b) are Hampshire County Council working on a traffic plan to accommodate other local traffic which will be generated by this development?
Are all local agencies working together?

               

SUMMARY
Perhaps the school expansion can be the real catalyst for all the agencies to work together and help create an environment of which both they and the people who live and work in Whitchurch can be proud.

Involvement of local people is paramount in this, but will they be consulted in meaningful ways? Will those who oversee and spend our taxes allow that to happen?

WE MUST INSIST THEY DO.