Welcome. I am a Local Conservative Councillor representing the residents of Alamein on Test Valley Borough Council. I blog about my activities as a Borough Councillor as well as national politics.
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Last months Royal Wedding saw twenty one street parties being held across Test Valley, 2 of which were held here in Alamein in Enham Alamein and in Swallowfields. Attention now turns to next years Diamond Jubilee celebrations with plans already underway for two street parties.
Test Valley Borough Council has again confirmed that the simplified application process for road closures will remain to allow communities to celebrate the last sixty years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign and that the application process for closing roads is free. As well as this, the Council also has limited supplies of road closure signs to lend to party organisers who ask in advance and can collect and return them. . Application forms and information about organising road closures for street parties is available on the Council website or from the Council offices at Beech Hurst.
If you need any help or advice with your application – please drop me a line.
Continue ReadingA new initiative has been launched by Vodafone this week, which allows registered charities the opportunity to take full advantage of JustTextGiving. For the first time ever, charities and individuals can raise money using text messages with a service that is free to set up and run, with every penny donated going to charity.
With charities facing a tougher environment for fundraising, I hope this launch will motivate a new digital generation of givers. Eighty-nine percent of adults carry a mobile, so there is a great opportunity to open up a new era of charitable giving using text donations. JustTextGiving enables charities to personalise their own unique 6-digit text code and receive donations of up to £10 per message by text. There are no set-up or running costs for the charity and no network charge for supporters. Gift Aid can also be claimed on each donation. Registered charities can now set up their own codes and individual fundraisers can do so from 20 June.
I don’t work for Vodafone but would like to encourage all charities in Andover to embrace this new technology. Until now, mobile fundraising has been only used by large charities for occasional campaigns due to the substantial set-up costs involved but now registered charities can use a simple text message to fundraise. Full details are available at www.justtextgiving.co.uk or by calling 0800 0521 081.
Continue ReadingI am pleased to report that Andover residents are invited to an advance preview of proposals to enhance the town’s bus station on Monday 16 May in the Chantry Centre, before the formal application for planning permission is submitted.
The growth of Andover will mean that the existing bus station needs to be upgraded . The £2.4million funding for this initiative has therefore been secured from the major development projects in the Andover area as part of the planning process. The enhancements have been a long-term aspiration of the both Test Valley Borough and Hampshire County Councils.
Council officers will be on hand between 10am and 4pm outside the Waitrose store to answer any questions. They can provide information and show drawings relating to the proposed changes, along with details of likely timescales. They can also explain how the work would be phased help minimise disruption to bus users and visitors to the Chantry Centre.
Continue ReadingLast Thursday I was re-elected to Test Valley Borough Council with an increased majority. It is an honour and a privilege to serve the people of Alamein again and I will continue to represent you all and take up any problems or concerns that you have. The Conservatives remain in control of Test Valley Borough Council with an increase of 3 seats – which is a clear endorsement of our record and our commitment to lower taxes.
The Alamein Election result in full:
Martin Anthony Bell – Labour – 370
Alexander Michael Brook – Conservative – 963 – Elected
Leonard Michael Gates – Liberal Democrat – 840
Kevin Paul Hughes – Liberal Democrat – 796
Robin Hughes – Liberal Democrat – 739
Philip James North – Conservative – 1,086 – Elected
Janet Dorice Whiteley – Conservative – 993 – Elected
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