Enham Lib Dems back Nick Cleggs Gurkhas campaign

There are times in your life when you have to use the word "disgraceful" and every supporter of Gordon Brown and the Labour Party should hang their heads in shame after yesterday cowardly decision to discriminate against ex Gurkhas,The Gurkhas who fought alongside my grandfather and father, (a life long labour supporter) in the First and Second World Wars would be turning in their graves if they heard the news.Andover Liberal Democrats today threw its weight behind the brave Gurkhas right to settle in the UK despite attempts by Gordon Brown's "morally bankrupt" Labour government imposing punitive conditions on these brave ex servicemen.

In yesterdays government ruling imposed 6 tests on ex Gurkhas who despite fighting for King, Queen and Country and currently fighting in Afghanistan for the last 200 years were almost impossible to meet unless you were an officer with 20 years service. Ordinary privates excluded from serving more than 14 years can never make the 20 year qualification.

The Gurkhas have a lasting link with Hampshire and the Gurkha museum is based at Peninsular Barracks in Winchester.

Reacting to the Government announcement on the number of Gurkhas that will be allowed to settle in the UK.Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg asked "Are there any moral principles left in this hollowed-out Government?"

"People who are prepared to fight and die for this country should be entitled to live in this country. Yet even this basic principle is broken by a Government desperate to cover its back and wriggle out of its commitments."This is the week Labour lost its last principles: dishonest with the nation about the state of our finances; cheating taxpayers by making MPs' expenses even murkier; and now turning its back on brave and loyal soldiers who simply want to live in the country they love and served."

Tory Councillor in Fat Cat First Class rail travel row!

It is interesting to read David Cameron in last Sunday's Times castigating his own MPs on "feathering their own nests" when in Hampshire Tory County Councillors are sitting "comfy cosy" in first class carriages whilst the rest of us are struggling.

Perhaps David Cameron should "have a word" with his local Tories who are certainly wasting tax payers money! Scratch the surface and it is the same old Tories underneath. Cameron said this weekend: “All week I’ve been receiving letters from people saying the same thing: how can MPs claim they’re helping people through the recession when so many of them seem to be feathering their own nests? “They are right to be angry. We need to sort this out immediately. But restoring trust in politics goes beyond expenses and allowances. At a time when families and businesses are being forced to cut back, politicians should be asking how they can help bring down the cost of politics across the board - it is taxpayers’ money after all.”Andover Liberal Democrats have used the Freedom of Information Act to expose how leading Hampshire Tory County Councillors are travelling First Class to London at Council Tax payers expense.
Hampshire Tories already under fire for spending over £4.5 million on spin and publicity which includes branded mints and pens, and millions on refurbishment of County Hall were caught out wasting tax payers money when Andover South Councillor Kirk was spotted travelling to London on the 23rd Jan 2009.

Councillor Kirk travelling on the 1004 from Andover to London was spotted sitting in the first class carriage on a off peak train not busying himself with the affairs of his Education portfolio but mulling over Andrew Marr’s political history of Britain. The off peak standard class return on what was a quiet train that day would have cost the residents of Hampshire £26.30 rather than the whooping “fat cat” price of £93.20.An angry fellow traveller identified Councillor Kirk as he was wearing his County Council identity badge and asked Andover Lib Dems to investigate. A freedom of information act request followed and Hampshire County Council admitted that they had provided Councillor Kirk the warrant to buy the first class ticket and for good measure threw in a expenses claim for 4 miles mileage and a £12.50 taxi fare.

Andover South Lib Dem candidate Vince McGarry said “This is typical of the waste we are seeing at County Hall, Councillor Kirk could have travelled standard class that day but choose to ride in first class which cost the hard up Council Tax payers of Hampshire an additional £66. He had the choice. It is a scandal of the highest order when you consider the Tories are cutting jobs at Test Valley and spending £4.5 million on spin, including branded mints and pens, £40 million on doing up their HQ. Tory councillors should be leading from the front and setting an example rather than wasting Council Tax payers cash”For more information please contact Vince McGarry on 07517 212000

Recycling survey

Test Valley Liberal Democrats plan to consult local residents on proposals to implement additional recycling facilities across the borough.Test Valley Borough Council currently operates an alterative bin collection system (ABC) where household waste is collected one week and recyclables (paper, card and some plastics) are collected on the next week.

Unlike some councils, TVBC does not collect glass. The council has considered and rejected a door step collection of glass because of costs but Lib Dem councillors have asked for officers to look again at the possibility of a small scale trial or collections in urban areas only.

Lib Dem councillors also plan to undertake a borough wide survey of residents’ views on additional recycling facilities. Launching the campaign Cupernham councillor Dorothy Baverstock said “It is essential that we boost our recycling rates. Glass recycling has proved popular with the public and we want to expand the facility. Most areas need more collection points or door step collections.”

Alamein councillor Len Gates added "We aim to make our recycling provision as effective and consumer friendly as possible. This is why we are consulting the public. We plan to customise recycling facilities to meet local needs."

A survey will be distributed to residents over the next few months. In the meantime copies are available from Lib Dem councillors across the borough or on Len Gates' website at

http://lengates.mycouncillor.org.uk/files/2009/03/glass-recycling-north.pdf

Action on motorcycle nuisance

Following complaints from residents about uninsured and unlicensed motorbikes using Dark Lane between Andover and Enham borough councillor Len Gates contacted police and neighbourhood wardens for action

Patrols were increased in the area and as a result two offenders were issued with warning notices. Police are confident they have solved the problem in the short term and that the offenders will move on to more suitable locations. In the meantime they are continuing to monitor the area.

If you see a repeat of motorcycles using the lane or any other footpath please advise the police on 08450 454545 or dial 101 to report the offence. All calls are treated in confidence and all reported offences will be logged and investigated.

Turkeys do not vote for an early christmas!

Test Valley Borough Council has now set its budget for 2009/2010 after a 2 ½ hour debate during which the Liberal Democrat opposition questioned many aspects of the proposals.Test Valley’s council tax will rise by 4.5%, 23 vacant jobs have been deleted and a further 20 – 30 redundancies are expected. The Lib Dems argued that while the increase in council tax was inevitable it should be tempered by a freeze on increases in fees and charges, set to rise by 5%. Deferring increases in charges would cost the council £50,000. This could be more than met by savings in the cost of councillors and the mayoralty we argued. The mayor’s office currently costs taxpayers £126,000 a year. A further Lib Dem proposal to reduce councillor numbers to save an additional £500,000 per year from 2011 was also rejected.

Speaking after the meeting Lib Dem leader Len Gates said "I am disappointed that we lost the vote but feel we did win the arguments. It was heartening to hear that the economic portfolio holder is willing to work with us to look for future cost savings. This problem is not going to go away we will need to continue to look for economies throughout the council and that must include the cost of the councillors themselves."

LIB DEM BUDGET PROPOSALS

Test Valley’s Liberal Democrat group led by Alamein Councillor Len Gates, pictured left are proposing amendments to the Borough Council’s 2009-2010 budget designed to reduce costs and soften the impact of the credit crunch on local taxpayers. A number of measures are being considered and these will be tabled at the council’s budget meeting on 23 February.

Among the proposals are:-

The deferral of increases in council fees and charges for one year.
A reduction in the number of Council Cabinet members
Savings in the cost of council meetings in line with savings elsewhere in the council
A review of the number and cost of Councillors in the Borough
A review of the cost and need for a Borough Mayor.

Many of the proposals are long term objectives which could result in savings of several hundred thousand pounds per year. The council is currently facing budget deficits of between £1,300,000 and £2,000,000 over the next two to three years.

Announcing the proposals Liberal Democrat leader, Len Gates said, “It is becoming increasingly clear that we face a long and deep recession and the Council must take the necessary steps to prepare for this. For many years we have relied on investment income to balance the books. This will no longer be possible. We need to rebalance our income sources while looking at cost savings across the Council. This must include the costs of Councillors as well.”

Len Gates
Leader, Test Valley Liberal Democrats
01264 356759
07793 607190
mailto:len.gates@andpver.co.uk

Editors notes:

The Conservative administration is proposing a 5% increase in fees and charges across the board. The latest RPI figure is 0.9%.
Cabinet portfolio holders receive a special responsibility allowance of £7273.
The cost of councillor meetings in 2008/9 is estimated at £560,000 and the cost of councillors £837,000 (£17,400 per councillor).
The estimated cost of the Mayoral Office is £129,000.

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate Selected for North West Hampshire

Party Chair Rob Cooper (pictured left) welcomes Tom McCann the new parliamentary candidate.

North West Hampshire Liberal Democrats are pleased to announce that experienced Liberal Democrat campaigner Tom McCann has been selected as their Parliamentary Candidate. Tom was elected by the party membership at the Andover Guildhall on the 30th January 2009.
Tom is 47 and has been married to Margot for 22 years, and has two daughters in sixth form education. Tom has been in the south east for 27 years, working within the construction industry. He has been a Town/District Councillor for over 14 years with a wide range of interests from being Finance Portfolio holder to planning matters.

Robert Cooper, Chair, North West Hampshire Liberal Democrats said : “Tom has a good track record for service to his community. I look forward to seeing his achievements in North West Hampshire’s Towns and Parishes.”

Tom McCann “I’m delighted to be the Liberal Democrat PPC for North West Hampshire. I look forward to representing the communities of North West Hampshire. I eagerly anticipate the upcoming European and County Elections.”

Tom can be contacted on 01189628201 or 07882437140.