Man's Best Friend?

It was an interesting meeting – with a small group of local residents who were concerned about that perennial problem - dog mess.

It was very positive and some good ideas came out of it.

Its not pleasant at all
Dog mess seems to be one of the most raised problems in the town – found both on pavements and in places such as the Millennium Meadow, or the QEII Park. It's horrible. No one wants to end up with dog faeces on their shoes, clothes or their children when they go for a walk or enjoy the town's open spaces.

Such is the concern that a local resident recently videoed a walk along Test Road and came across at least eight disgusting piles, each awaiting an unsuspecting foot. What is the answer?

One nearby Council has obtained two mobile CCTV cameras which are taken around problem hotspots and it seems to have had reasonable success with a 50 – 60% drop in offences, as well as providing evidence to support prosecutions. This is to be investigated further.

Perhaps this is something a group of local people could organise in the same way that some towns and villages run SpeedWatch schemes to reduce traffic speeds?
There are privacy and data issues but these can be overcome. 

Other ideas include marking the 'piles' with coloured sprays or flags, while the Town Council recently ran a childrens' poster competition and these will be appearing around the town soon.

Unfair on responsible owners
There are a great many responsible dog owners who often get unfairly tarred with the same brush by those who act in such anti-social ways.
Dogs can offer wonderful companionship and a source of much enjoyment for many. That must be maintained and respected. But what about the others?

It is hoped that action can be taken to discourage those who allow their 'Man's Best Friend' from acting in such irresponsible ways – but the big question must be how?

My First Town Council Meeting

Being more accustomed to the public seats this was going to be interesting – my first Town Council Meeting – a special Extra-Ordinary Meeting to deal with the Budget, held in the Town Hall Chamber.

Armed with my papers and a sharp pencil my first question was where to sit – and I think I have a winner – facing the window, half way down the table, and next to the Council's wonderful Clerks.

The Chairman and Mayor banged the gavel, welcomed the three new Councillors, and we began.

I'm not a numbers man; the sheer sight of columns of figures sends me into manic-doodle mode, and anything that adds up to more than three gives me shakes, but the explanations by Councillor Wall were superb and well presented.
Such were his clear skills, I was even enjoying it!

I liked the idea of grants to the community, so said my first ever piece – and suggested that the Council specifically encourage local people/organisations to apply for grants for wider community-focussed projects. Such grants can provide help for people to take responsibility themselves for issues they choose to be important.
I'm sure more will come out on this later.

Then ... A vote ... and my first ever public decision made.
The Budget was approved.

A few pieces of administration followed and the gavel was again banged.

It was a short meeting, quite enjoyable, and so was the excellent pint in the Bell after.

The year begins

Having been elected to the Town Council just before Christmas there were then a number of forms to complete, not too onerous, but the fun was only just beginning and it was not long before the requests came in...

First were dogs and cars – perennial subjects for local ire – "We need less car mess and more dog parking".
Was someone taking the mickey?

And what about the weather over the last few weeks – torrential rain, fences down, tiles off roofs, trees blocking roads; so on entering the White Hart for a quiet and pleasant pint of Noel Ale the greeting was "Now you're a councillor can you sort out this <expletive> weather?"

The job was becoming 'interesting' and I haven't even gone to the first meeting!

So what really concerns local people?

What are the main issues that would make our town a more pleasant place?

Answers on the back of a postcard or send your comments through the feedback here.

That was a Shock! Where now?

A Big Thank you - I am still rather gobsmacked at this, but a massive appreciation to the people of Whitchurch for electing me to their Town Council, and to those who encouraged me to put my name in the hat.

Being asked to stand was humbling enough and it has been a true honour to have taken part in the democratic process.
But the result has just flabbergasted me! I never in all my wildest thoughts thought I'd top the table.

So where now?
My aims will be for openness and active engagement so that more people know what the Town Council does, and importantly how they can become involved. With four resignations, the Council would seem to have had a rocky time recently and there are some big challenges looming over funding as budgets are slashed. It will be even more important for the Town Council and local people to work together on the things that matter to us all.

The election turnout was poor, so how can the Council encourage local interest? Perhaps workshops? Maybe a Youth Council? More young people are definitely needed! Perhaps Drop-in sessions for everyone?
Ideas more than welcome.

A Big Big thanks goes to all those people who did vote and to everyone who wants to see our town prosper. Also to all the other candidates, both successful and unsuccessful who were great to meet.

I shall try now and do my best for the great little town we all live in, and hopefully we can all help each other in making Whitchurch a better place.

John

____________________

Result:

 

John Philip BUCKLEY: 300 votes *

Andy JORDAN: 294 votes *

David John GEORGE: 250 votes *

Maurice Clifford BERRIDGE: 221 votes

Steve NEILSON: 215 votes

___________

* ELECTED: John Philip Buckley, Andy Jordan, David John George.

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.