Will I get Shot Down? Time to Find Out!

Its a clichéd saying, but ... I'll put my head above the parapet.

Me: JOHN BUCKLEY

There's an Election in Whitchurch - Thursday 12th December 2013.

With three Town Council vacancies it needed more than three to stand to avoid a process of self-selection. That is never good – and my name was put forward.
Just that itself was such an honour, so I'm now officially a 'Candidate'.

 

ABOUT ME: 

My early background was in conservation planning, then as a design manager in publishing. Most time is now spent helping people to deal with today's roads and to cycle, including special needs, children and families in Hampshire.
I've lived in Whitchurch for nearly 30 years and children have attended both local schools.

In 2010 and 2011, I was given volunteering awards from Whitchurch Town Council and Basingstoke Council for help with local activities, and I assist many groups in the town.

Since its launch I’ve helped maintain the town's ‘official’ community website and its social media accounts with news, events and business support. Good communication builds community spirit.
See: www.Whitchurch.org.uk

The Election not about winning or losing, it's about local people having a choice.

I have a passion for our town and its residents to be listened to – and sometimes we have been let down by party politics.

• Remember 550 houses decided without any local engagement? 
• Remember Daniel Park access road taken from the town without our input? 
• Remember the Harvest Home change of use without planning consultation?  
• Now Basingstoke even want to build more houses than we want and even close our local loos, while Hampshire's promise to paint the zebra crossing was delayed and delayed and only just carried out!

 

LOCAL ISSUES: 

Decisions on housing, traffic and infrastructure MUST include LOCAL input by local people – with adequate doctors, education, employment, recreation and transport – and with safe routes to schools, parking and good access.
I strongly support LOCAL Neighbourhood Planning but there must be transparent access to all decision making.

 

IF ELECTED I WOULD AIM FOR:  

• Housing growth to be decided by local people with adequate infrastructure.
• Safer roads, crossings and clean paths – and fix potholes.
• Reduce big lorries, prevent driving on pavements, sort parking and make school access safer.
• Local Councils should reach out more and encourage instead of looking inwards.
• Involving the youth, elderly and other groups in our town. 
• Improving grants to local groups/organisations to help their activities.
• Support and involve local businesses in decision making.
• Safer access for all to Wells-in-the-Field and Tufton.
• Save our town’s special character, and remember the area is rural too.
• To LISTEN and INVOLVE all local people with drop in sessions and feedback.
• To be available, and accountable:
      01256 892650
  

__________

 

A NEW WAY OF WORKING:

I believe the Town Council needs a reassessment of the way it communicates with the people of Whitchurch. 

It needs to become more open and reach out so local people know what it does. It needs to involve people in its work - children, mums, shopkeepers, local societies - everyone from the baker to the candlestick maker.

Any barriers, perceived or otherwise need to be removed so the Town Council works WITH local people and involves them.
It is important for residents to feel part of any decision making.

Once local people see and understand what it does, they may get involved in issues they choose themselves.

Then we may have more ladies, young people and others stepping forward as they will see they can have some influence, see results, and have some fun at the same time.

I do not believe in Ivory Towers.
A Town Council should represent and work WITH the community.