The Alamein Job Club is funded by the European Social Fund and resourced by the Community Association, Everybody On-Line and the Church Army family worker.

The club is open to anyone looking for advice or help on job seeking. It offers an opportunity for those looking for work to meet in a relaxed atmosphere with internet access and local newspapers to find job information and get advice on looking for jobs. Information and advice is available on job searching, interview skills, CV writing, completing application forms and much more. Training sessions on job searching are provided and travel costs to the job club will be reimbursed.

The Job Club meets every Tuesday from 1:00pm – 3:00pm in King Arthurs Hall. For more information call Petra Goodens-Husband on 01264 358443 or turn up on the day.

Fluoride letter to SHA 

I share residents concern and anger at the continual flooding on Smannell Road open space and have joined local campaigner Liz Byrne in calling for immediate action to solve the problem.

The footpath from Roman Way to the new pedestrian crossing outside Tesco is lower than surrounding recently landscaped areas. Water collects on the path making it impassable whenever it rains. The surrounding grassed areas are now churned up as residents try to avoid the flooding. The whole area has been dug up on a number of occasions in the last two years as contractors tried to solve drainage and other problems.

I have asked both Hampshire Highways and Test Valley Borough Council to take immediate action to solve the problem. There has always been some flooding in this area but never been as bad as at present. I’m not bothered who takes responsibility for solving the problem as long as something is done. There is no point having wonderful new landscaping and pedestrian controlled traffic signals if residents have to wade through muddy water to cross the road.

Are you looking to gain experience in working with young people and receive training?

The Alamein Community Association in partnership with Fusion and the Turnaround Project are looking to start a new youth club. However we need volunteer youth workers; we can offer you a training package and a high level of support. If you are interested and want to find out more; please come along and see what a normal youth club night is like.

Come along to an open meeting at

King Arthurs Hall tonight from 7:00 - 9:00pm.

For more info contact Chris on 01264 335237 or email cmdavies76@yahoo.co.uk .

 My views on this are summed up in the following statement which I made to the cabinet before the meeting.

“You have before you a report which suggests broad support for the leader’s proposals to transfer the lease of the lower Guildhall to an alternative restaurant chain.

What it does not convey is the deep reservations held by members of the panel and the wider council about the original decision to let the lower Guildhall. The leadership of this council decided long ago that they wanted a pizza parlour in the Guildhall and nothing but a pizza parlour would do.

Three years ago the full council wrongly endorsed that decision. It was however a legitimate and democratic decsion. The result was a divided community, and a council leadership seen as arrogant, incompetent and out of touch with the people. They ripped the heart out of the town and left the patient on the operating table for nearly three years. The Guildhall has fallen further into decay; the community that used it has been weakened, and the tax payers have been left with a loss of over £200,000. And all this time we were told by members of the cabinet that a deal with Prezzo was imminent. We now know that wasn’t true. The leadership was in a hole and they kept digging. They are now so in deep they can’t get out. They promised Andover a top of the range high quality restaurant they couldn’t deliver and now we are offered a mid-range facsimile with a bonus of fish and chips as well as pizza.This was the situation the panel was faced with last Thursday.

The panel considered all the options and were fully advised by our officers. Before and since the panel meeting I have discussed with fellow councillors and council officers the various alternatives, I have sounded out community groups and local businesses about their views on the future of the Guildhall. I have taken independent advice. This is not the best option, but it is the only remaining option and it is too late now to change course.

Today’s decision will have nothing to do with what’s best for Andover. Today’s decision is about pulling the leadership of this council out of a crisis of its own creation. I did not and I will not support this decision but I will not oppose it because it is no longer in the public interest to do so.”

This is the sad reality of the quality of the current administration at Beech Hurst.

When quizzed about this on BBC’s Newsnight Sir George said “He is in the same position as a number of Labour peers who are non-domiciled and who fund the Labour party.” In other words he doesn’t pay the full rate of UK tax.

The Conservatives, who have previously opposed changes to the law which would have forced parliamentarians to end their status as non-doms, are now desperately trying to play down the fresh confusion over Ashcroft. Meanwhile Ashcroft’s company Bearcroft Corporate Services is under investigation by the Electoral Commission following complaints that he has used it to circumvent the rules on funding political parties.

Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Tom McCann commented “Ashcroft’s dubious tax position must be clarified. Ten years ago, when he was given a peerage, he promised to come clean and pay tax. He still hasn’t done so and he and the Tory party are hiding his true status. This makes a mockery of David Cameron’s claim to be a reformer in favour of cleaning up politics.”

Hear for yourself what Sir George said at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/8506284.stm

And read more of the story at

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/feb/09/lord-ashcroft-conservatives-tax

I hope the motion will get the support of all councillors. Global warming is a far more serious threat to us and to our future than anything else we have seen. It isn’t going to go away and it needs positive action to deal with it. This action is best taken at a local level and local councils have a major role to play. We can make a difference and have a duty to do so.

The full text of the motion is as follows

 This Council notes the success of the 10:10 campaign in encouraging individuals, businesses, local authorities and other organisations to reduce their carbon emissions by 10% in 2010;

Further notes that the 10:10 campaign, whilst aiming for cuts of 10% recognises that such significant reductions will be difficult to achieve at this stage in the year, so will recognise those organisations which reduce emissions by 3% or greater in 2010.

This Council thus resolves that it will join with other councils, including Winchester City Council, Eastleigh Borough Council and Havant Borough Council by signing up to the 10:10 campaign and will make a firm commitment to reduce its emissions as measured by National Indicator 185 (minus schools and outsourced contracts) by 3% or more by the end of 2010.

More details about the campaign can be found at http://www.1010uk.org/

While out meeting residents in Andover Tom McCann, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for North West Hampshire, met anti-litter campaigner Manuela Wahnon. Tom congratulated her on her campaign and praised her hard work, as an example of how individuals can and do make a difference to their communities.

“I urge everyone to listen to what Manuela has to say” he said. “ Together we can make Andover and the rest of NW Hampshire a cleaner and better place for us and for future generations.”

 Mr Oram’s comments are welcome as was his attendance at the public meeting on Twinings last week. It is a great pity no-one from the local conservative party found time to attend the same meeting. Sir George at least sent his apologies and argues we should pull together to save jobs. What a pity his conservative colleagues couldn’t do the same and support calls for Twinings to reconsider their proposals. What a pity they can’t bring themselves to talk to the staff under threat or their representatives. Instead they choose to facilitate the Twinings proposals without question.

The economy of Andover and this country needs a strong manufacturing base to export goods. Exporting jobs does nothing for us or for future generations. I dread to think what will happen if the Tories ever get to run the country.

Work now appears to be finished - at least they have finished digging holes but

• Road signs saying the road is closed remain
• Large potholes remain all along the route
• Manhole covers have not been repalced
• Vehicles are using the road and driving on the grass verge to get round obstacles left behind
• As a result the entire route is slowly becoming unfit for use

Can you advise if the work is finished and if so when the contractors will tidy up the mess and resurface the damaged areas of road please?

On a similar note I have again asked for the abandoned road signs left by the phone box in Little London to be removed.

Lib Dem shadow health secretary and Romsey MP Sandra Gidley has welcomed his statement and added “It is just a shame that it has taken nearly a year for the Tory party leadership to make their opinion on a local referendum known.”

A regular complaint from residents is the lack of parking on local estates and the resultant difficulties this causes especially for disabled drivers. I am pleased to report that on 21 January the borough council implemented a road traffic order introducing a number new parking places for disabled drivers (blue badge holders) around Andover, many of these in Alamein ward.

The new Alamein spaces can be found in Camelot Close (6), Caesar Close (2), Florence Court (4), Galahad Close (5), Hammond Square (1), Hendren Square (1), Launcelot Close (2), Rhodes Square (1) and Turin Court (2).

Ful details of the traffic order and a map showing the exact locations can be seen at Andover library in the Chantry Centre or the council offices at Beech Hurst.

“We have been working hard to attract a new food retailer to occupy the Council’s property to provide an ongoing service for the community.  There has been considerable interest and we look forward to working with the Council to complete the process as quickly as possible.”

I welcome this news and congratulate the Co-op on their efforts to work with the council to protect jobs and services at a time when so many are indifferent to the effects that job losses and shop closures have on local communities.

The motion (see previous story, January 7th) called on Test Valley’s MPs to support a parliamentary motion calling on Twinings to reverse their decision on redundancies and maintain full production at Andover

In a sometimes angry debate, successive conservatives claimed it was not their responsibility to intervene and refused to back the workers calls for a review of the proposals. Instead they committed themselves to the company’s proposals and pledged the council to help find alternative work for those employees discarded by Twinings

I am disappointed the conservative group, like their MP, have chosen to ignore these calls for help. It raises doubts about their commitment to protecting jobs and securing real economic growth in Andover.

The full text of my speech in support of the motion is given below.

Twinings are a highly successful business producing tea at their Andover and North Shields sites. Andover also houses the company’s head office. Their main markets are the UK, Western Europe and North America. One of the major selling points is the Englishness of their product as exemplified by the royal warrant displayed on their packs. The company is hugely profitable making in excess of £56 million last year. The company is part of Associated British Foods who, on the day the proposed redundancies were revealed, reported a 4% rise in annual profits as sales jumped 12% to £9.3 billion. The company’s proposals are to close the North Shields site, reduce the Andover workforce by 129 and transfer production to Poland and China.

I give this information to clarify to members this is not a case of a struggling company looking to survive. This is a case of a highly profitable and highly regarded company betraying its workforce. The success of Twinings and its profits were won through the dedication, loyalty and skills of that workforce. The company now proposes to discard at least 129 of them and replace them with low paid overseas workers. To export Andover’s jobs and pocket the difference.

They argue they need to remain competitive. They are highly competitive - thanks to their award winning workforce. They argue they need to be near their markets. What could be closer to the main markets in the UK and Western Europe than the Andover site? - Certainly not one in Poland. Since when has China been nearer to North America than Europe? How can they justify a royal warrant on goods sold in America when they’re produced in China? They say they are committed to a presence in Andover but the plans for Poland show a site big enough to swallow both their existing factories with space to spare. Their employees do not believe this is only 129 redundancies. No mention is made of possible job losses in local suppliers to Twinings and other knock-on effects. I was particularly concerned to hear from residents in Enham, in my own ward, that jobs there, packing tea for Twinings, may also be under threat.

This is not re-organisation. This is yet another example of the piecemeal dismantling of British industry to satisfy short term financial objectives. This is not in the interests of Andover, nor in the long term interests of the company. It betrays the ethos of Thomas Twining and makes a mockery of the company’s heritage.

We have seen over the past year major financial problems in this country. There are those who would blame these on the present government. This unfortunately is not the case. Successive governments have given in to the demands of a bloated and self indulgent financial sector, ever greedy for more profits and bigger profits whatever the social costs. We have seen the result of this and we now need to say enough is enough.

I note that this council has had meetings with Twinings and other agencies to facilitate alternative employment for those workers affected. This is very commendable but in doing so without comment on the company’s plans we are condoning their actions. We have a duty to those employees to comment. We have a duty to promote good quality jobs for local people. We have spent hours debating just that over the past few years. We have here an opportunity to show we can do this, to defend local jobs and encourage expansion to generate more jobs.

I urge all members to put aside party political loyalties as the signatories of the parliamentary motion have done and vote for the proposal before you.

It is a pity we will not be able to discuss the proposals now. I would now expect the committee to look at this and report back to full council as soon as possible. The county council must accept Andover is a growing town and needs an adequate public bus network. Not everyone has access to cars; many residents rely on the buses. We should be encouraging everyone to reduce CO2 emissions by using cars less and buses more and yet the county is sanctioning by its actions a reduction in bus services.

Councillors will still discuss the matter at the Andover Forum on 25th January when Cllr Rod Bailey has called for a report on the proposals to be presented.

“This council notes the following early day motion tabled in parliament

That this House expresses its concern that Twinings intends to close down its North Shields plant, resulting in the loss of 263 jobs, and to shed 129 jobs from its Andover plant and move the majority of its production to Poland and China; notes that Twinings and its parent company Associated British Foods (ABF) remain hugely profitable, making in excess of £56 million; further notes the adverse impact that this decision will have on the local economies and people of North Shields and Andover; therefore calls on Twinings and ABF to reverse their decision and to maintain their plant in North Shields and full production in Andover; and calls on the Government to intervene as a matter of urgency to prevent such unnecessary loss of jobs in the UK.

This council fully endorses the sentiments expressed in this motion and in particular regards any loss of jobs at the Andover plant as detrimental to the economy of Andover and Test Valley.

This council therefore resolves to write to both our local MPs calling on them to support the early day motion”.

 The first was from Derek Kotz, partner of Labour ppc Sarah Evans. His comments have already appeared on a number of websites under his or Sarah’s name. I will not therefore publish them again here.

The second from “Ian Hindsight” queries the accuracy of my comments. These are made in my name and are verifiable. Unfortunately this doesn’t apply to some others. I am happy to discuss this further with “Ian Hindsight” if he reveals his identity rather using a pseudonym.

Toddler trails are new fun walks for mums, babies and toddlers. They will take place every Tuesday for six weeks iniitally. The walks will start at 10:00 am from the Askalot shop in King Arthur’s Way.

Walks will be about 45 mins -1 hour long, suitable for pushchairs and give you a chance to meet other mums while getting some fresh air and exercise. All ages are welcome! All walks will be accompanied by a trained Health Walk Leader. For more details, contact Eileen on 01794 527920 or Petra on 01264 358443.

February 3rd: These walks have proved to be a success and a further six are planned from Tuesday 23rd February (after half term) but starting at 1:30pm rather than 10:00am. Further details from Eileen or Petra as above.

Prezzo have had over two years in which to finalise their plans. During this time Test Valley has spent more than £200,000 on alternative arrangements for previous users of the building.

Cllr Carr is quite right to ask Prezzo to sign up or go away. The delays and the subsequent costs to Andover taxpayers can no longer be tolerated. He is wrong, however, to argue that a return to community use is not an option. He is also exceeding his authority by insisting that only another restaurant can be considered. The borough council’s resolution was to let the Guildhall to Prezzo. If Prezzo pull out the council must reconvene its member panel to consider all alternative options. To do otherwise would be irresponsible.

Far more irresponsible are the calls that the Guildhall should now be handed over to STAG or the new Andover parish council. STAG’s plans were one of a number of options previously considered by councillors and they were not acceptable. Sarah Evans has no authority to speak for a yet-to-be elected council or other group on this matter and should not do so.

Council records indicate that the upkeep of the Guildhall could cost tax payers up to £70,000 per year. No parish council or community group can accept that level of expenditure without a proper business plan. I believe such a plan could be formulated if Prezzo pull out. I hope to see one. I don’t see it coming, unfortunately, from either Cllr Carr or Ms Evans.

It is time for Prezzo to sign up or walk away. If they walk away I will be asking for a full explanation for the wasted two years and £200,000. I will also insist on a full review of all options for the Guildhall including a properly costed community use.

Tom and Manuela discussed her Attitude of Gratitude to clean up Andover and the rest of Test Valley. Manuela’s philosophy is simple “we’ve always got something to be grateful for in our lives, so with that in mind, obviously don’t drop litter, but if you pick up one piece of litter a day you can make the world you live in a better place. “

Tom praised her hard work, funded entirely from her own limited resources, as an example of how individuals can and do make a difference to their communities. “As a Liberal Democrat I believe in empowering communities to take responsibility for their surroundings. Manuela is a shining example to all of us”

Tom will be joining Manuela, me and other Andover residents on a litter pick sometime in the New Year.

Full details of Manuela’s campaign can be found at http://www.attitudeofgratitude.co.uk/

St Mary’s councillor Rod Bailey and I have held discussions with county councillors on the matter and Rod has called for a report on the new services to be brought to the next Andover Forum. We believe the county and borough council should be looking for ways to increase not cut local services.

We are also fully behind the campaign to bring Sunday bus services to Andover. Our parliamentary candidate Tom McCann recently met local campaigner Barbara Carpenter and gave his full support to her petition for Sunday bus services. The petition is available in many shops around town or from len.gates@andover.co.uk.

Tom said “local shops are now open on Sundays and many other events take place in the town centre after the buses have stopped running. The local councils should be looking at ways to encourage people into the town centre. Not everyone has access to a car or wants to use one. A good public transport service is essential to the economy and future of Andover.”

This is a problem which Mr Pain and I have been dealing with for some time and every time we think it resolved it re-appears. I appreciate his frustration.We have many times spoken to Test Valley and Testway Housing and litter has been removed only for more to appear.

I can now report that following meetings between Test Valley and Testway, affirmative action is being taken to resolve the matter once and for all. Among plans being proposed are relocation of all bins to a secure area, closer monitoring of bin usage and fly-tipping and the introductrion of additional bins. I understand local residents will be notified of the plans and hope proper consultation will take place with them.

Assurances given at successive Andover forums were forgotten as the council’s cabinet voted to allocate cabinet funds to other projects including last minute additions to the budget program for projects in Romsey.

I raised this at Thursday’s full council meeting when I was told that the bid would be reconsidered next year and that no attempt had been made to find private funding to help replace the demolished building.

.

Romsey’s successful bandstand was built with private funding topped up by a contribution from Test Valley. I and and your other Lib Dem councillors will be pushing to ensure the same happens in Andover.

Andover’s Lib Dem councillors have been calling for this since 1988. The change of heart came after two successive yes votes in consultations carried out across the town. I welcome the decision which puts local decision-making back where it belongs - with local people.

I and my Lib Dem colleagues all voted yes for the proposals which were opposed by just two councillors.  We had two clear yes votes and must respect the voters views. Andover has a great future and the new parish (town) council will be an important part of that future helping to build a stronger and more inclusive community.

Elections for the new council will take place in 2010 and councilors will sit for five years rather than four.I have some reservations about a five year term but this seems the only option unless Andover has an expensive second election in 2011.

I am sure the new council will be a success and will work with Test Valley to improve the town. I hope all residents will support the new council including those who up till now have opposed its creation. Its your town and your council. Get involved and make it work. That’s what local democracy is about. Together we can all make Andover a better place for ourselves and for future generations.

If you are interested in becoming a town councillor contact me at len.gates@andover.co.uk.

At last we are coming to the end of the works and as promised Test Valley Borough Council are starting to landscape the area again. As part of this landscaping new trees will be planted to improve the area.

Many of the young trees planted here have failed and are in a poor state due to damage caused by mowers, strimmers, etc. Also, nine trees were removed when the pipeline and bicycle path was installed. The damaged trees will be replaced by fifteen dawn redwood trees. These will be planted at semi-mature size and will be designed around the existing trees. The damaged trees will be removed in the next few days and the planting will take place some time around mid December.

The dawn redwood is a native to China and was introduced to Britain first in 1948. It is a coniferous tree but is deciduous, meaning it loses its needles in autumn. The tree is fast growing a can attain heights of 30m. It is a tree of outstanding natural beauty and the new trees will blend in very well with native species, which will surround them.

The closure was originally scheduled for 23rd November and caused widespread local anger because of the lack of notice given to residents. I agree with residents that the earlier closure was unacceptable and have concerns about the new proposals. I have spoken to the contractors who assured me it will be a rolling closure and disruption to residents will be kept to a minimum. They hope work will be completed in eight weeks rather than the three months proposed. I have also contacted Test Valley Highways department to confirm that the closure will not apply over Christmas and the road will be open to all traffic between 25th and 28th December inclusively. At other times residents will need to use the diversion via Enham.

Rumours this work is connected to the project to improve broadband provision in Little London are untrue. While the works will undoubtedly improve service to some households contractors are only laying copper cables which will not supply the broadband service called for by local residents. The Smannell Broadband group is still negotiating with Hampshire County Council on a project to bring adequate broadband coverage to the parish. I hope to report further on this in the New Year.

Tom McCann welcomed the offers of support and retraining for affected workers and urged staff to make full use of them. “But first” he said “the company should explore all other options. Twinings is an important part of Andover’s economy. A successful and expanding Twinings factory is essential for the future of the Walworth industrial park and of Andover. Equally Twinings needs Andover and its work force. The company must sit down with unions and other parties to find ways of protecting and expanding production on this site.”

I agree with him Twinings is a successful company with a reputation for quality. That quality comes not just from their products but from the skill and dedication of their work force. These skills cannot be automatically transferred to new factories abroad. The company’s main markets are the UK and Western Europe. It would be in the company’s best interest to continue to supply these markets from the Andover site.

Tom and I will continue to work with the unions and other agencies to protect jobs and promote investment in Andover.

This lack of buses was highlighted on Remembrance Sunday when many residents who would have liked to get to the Remembrance Service  in town were unable to do so. It is also a problem in the evenings where in many areas buses stop at 6:00pm or earlier.

I have discussed this with bus operators and the willingness to extend services is there if the local council supports them. I will be asking what we can do to support and improve services. Unfortunately some councillors see this as a waste of time and some have blamed the government for lack of subsidy, claiming all the money has been spent on free bus passes. None of this is true and even if it were this is no excuse for not trying to improve the existing services.

Free bus passes are no use when there aren’t any buses to use them on. Our shops are open on Sundays why not run bus services so residents can use these shops. Not everyone has access to a car, not everyone wants to use their car. We should be encouraging environmentally friendly alternatives, what better than a public bus service. Our Victorian ancestors were proud to promote public services we should do the same.

If you would like to help Barbara’s campaign please let me know and I will pass your details on.

I was disappointed to see that in the revised bus timetables for Andover Stagecoach is proposing to pull out of two routes and restructure several others. This has apparently all been welcomed by the county council which is ultimately responsible for public transport services in Hampshire. Particularly disappointing is the fact that these changes have been agreed without comment from our local county councillors. No wonder some people see the county council as increasingly irrelevant to the needs of Andover and a retirement home for aging Tory politicians.

At a time when the world is facing major environmental catastrophe we should be looking to reduce our CO2 emmisions not increase them. The biggest single source of CO2 is private cars and I would expect the county council to be promoting increased use of public transport such as buses to reduce pollution and congestion. Not so in Hampshire where saving money takes priority over saving the planet.

I have asked for more details of these proposals and will be  looking to see what effect they have on the large number of local residents who don’t have access to private cars and are totally dependent on bus transport to get around town. Andover’s bus services need expanding not contracting. I would expect the county and borough councils to be looking at ways to do this and will be pushing them to do so.

The Israeli military has gone one step further in denying a young Christian woman her right to complete her bachelor degree at the Vatican-sponsored Bethlehem University in the Holy Land.

On Wednesday, 28 October 2009, we learned that Ms. Berlanty Azzam, a Bethlehem University student studying business administration and translation, was arrested by the Israeli military.

On Thursday, 29 October 2009, we spoke with Berlanty via mobile phone and learned that on Wednesday night at 11:00pm the Israeli military loaded her into a military jeep - blindfolded and handcuffed - and moved her from Bethlehem to Gaza - against her will.

Since August 2005, Berlanty, a 21 year old Christian woman, has been a student at Bethlehem University. “Since 2005, I refrained from visiting my family in Gaza for fear that I would not be permitted to return to my studies in the West Bank,” said Berlanty. “Now, just two months before graduation, I was arrested and taken to Gaza in the middle of the night, with no way to finish my degree.” Berlanty is scheduled to complete her bachelor degree in December 2009.

Why was she removed from Bethlehem (in the West Bank and not in Israel) and taken to Gaza? Just because her address in the Israeli-controlled Population Registry is listed in the Gaza Strip- but she lives in Bethlehem and has done so since the year 2005.

We need your help. Berlanty needs your help. What can you do to help?

RIGHT NOW, please send an email to:

• The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Avigdor Liberman): sar@mfa.gov.il

•   The Israeli Minister of Religious Affairs (Mr. Yaakov Margi): yakovm@dat.gov.il

• Your elected representatives in your home country.

Let them know that you demand that the Israeli military immediately return Berlanty Azzam to Bethlehem so that she can resume and complete her last of studies to complete her bachelors degree at the Vatican-sponsored Bethlehem University.

Visit our website (www.bethlehem.edu) and Gisha (www.gisha.org) for more updates.

Enham Alamein has won the Highly Commended award at the recent Hampshire Village of the Year Awards. The award was accepted by chair of the parish council Leslie Barry.

Speaking afterwards Leslie said “I was really pleased and proud to accept the award as the judges said this is award is for a first time entrant and a village with a fairly new parish council that has achieved so much in a short time.”

I echo her sentiments. The villagers and parish council of Enham thoroughly deserve this award. The progress they have made in the couple of years that the parish council has existed is proof of the community spirit that exists in the village and evidence of the benefits a parish council can bring to a community.

The original announcement made last Thursday prompted a strong response from local residents with protests outside the shop and a petition of over 700 signatures calling for the shop to remain open.

I immediately contacted the Co-op and relayed local concerns about their decision and asked for them and council officers to meet to seek a solution which would keep the shop open. Over the past four days I have spoken to the Co-op and Test Valley officers on a number of occasions and as a result of these discussions the Co-op have decided to keep the shop open for at least three months while we review the situation.

They have agreed to meet Test Valley next week to discuss the lease. Hopefully these discussions come up with a revised package acceptable to the Co-op. If this fails I will be working with council officers to find an alternative operator to keep the shop running.

The Co-operative Group has announced the closure of its convenience store and Post Office in Athol Court, Andover. The store will close on Saturday, 21 November, while the Post Office will remain open until 16 January, 2010.

The closure of the store will mean the loss of two full time and ten part time jobs, while one full time job will be lost with the closure of the Post Office, however, every effort will be made to relocate staff to other Co-operative stores in the area.

A Co-operative Group spokeswoman said the closure decision was taken with the greatest reluctance and much regret, and was due to the store’s poor trading performance and because the lease was due to expire.

The spokeswoman emphasised that The Co-operative Group is committed to community retailing in the region and this year has invested several million pounds in refitting and converting local stores to offer modern shopping facilities and comprehensive ranges.

I am shocked by the news. At a time when the Co-operative is proclaiming its commitment to local communities and investing in more convenience stores it seems strange that they are planning to close their biggest store in Andover, just a few miles from their proposed depot to service these new stores.

I am pleased to hear they are looking to find alternative employment for their staff but this is not just a matter of jobs. The Atholl Court Co-op and Post Office is a vital community facility. Its loss would leave 2,500 people with no community shop and a long trek to town for a post office. This is unacceptable.

I have raised local concerns with both the Co-op and Test Valley Borough Council officers and hope they will be meeting as soon as possible to discuss the reversal of this decision or at least a postponement until we can make alternative arrangements to keep the shop and post office open.

I have also spoken to many local residents and joined them collecting petition signatures to keep the shop open. I urge everyone to sign this petition and join the campaign to keep this vital local facility.

What a pity this celebration was marred by the bad news about the Co-op next door. See above.

Recently Testway housing has been very helpful in dealing with tree issues on the estates and Hampshire Highways are promising action on potholes. However there is stil la lot more to be done. The pictures below show just some of the footpath problems reported on King Arthur’s Way over the past few weeks. I look forward to a speedy resolution of them.

Full details on what is involved in being a school governor can be found at the following address

http://www.hants.gov.uk/education/governors

Figures obtained by Andover’s Lib Dem councillors indicate the decision to close the lower Guildhall and open a new community facility in Union Street has cost Test Valley over £200,000 and could cost even more.

I asked for a breakdown of costs at a recent council Scrutiny committee meeting. I also requested details of usage of both the Rendezvous and Guildhall and comparison of these figures with those previously seen before the closure of the lower Guildhall.

Running costs for the Rendezvous and Guildhall over the past year totalled £85,000 and a further £4,000 has been spent on maintenance of the Guildhall. Income from the two venues over the same period was less than £14,000. The council previously received just under £14,000 a year in rent from the two shops converted into the Rendezvous.

The total cost over the last year to council taxpayers is £89,000. A similar loss is expected next year. To this must be added the capital costs of £114,000 to set up the Rendezvous.

This does indicate the council were premature in closing the lower Guildhall before they had a lease signed by the new tenant. The only good news is that usage of the Rendezvous is increasing but, not by the previous users of the Guildhall. This has led to a substantial loss of income which we are unlikely to replace. We were told the lower Guildhall had to be let out as a restaurant because it was costing too much money to retain it as a community facility. And now we find even more money is being spent on the Rendezvous. In the current financial climate we must consider whether this is acceptable and review the situation again next year.

A new website gives more details about how it all works. Visit the site below or contact me. Andover needs good councillors. You could be one of them.

http://www.beacouncillor.org.uk

I have raised this with the county schools department and our county councillor who has promised to follow up and get this sign moved to a better position.

The full text of my email is as follows

Dear Mr Cameron

Cllr Len Gates
Andover Alamein ward
Test Valley Borough Council

There are many scams where companies will ring mobiles for up to two rings leaving a missed call on your phone. If you dial the number to find out who it is you may well get an answer phone message which will cost you anything up to about £10.

One of the latest companies doing this is one called management15, the answerphone states they are MI5.

If you are not sure who the call is from do not ring it back especially 0800 numbers.

And another issued by trading standards

“I received a call from a ‘representative’ of BT, informing me that he was disconnecting me because of an unpaid bill. He demanded payment immediately of £31.00 , or it would be £ 118.00 to reconnect at a later date.

The caller wasn’t even fazed when I told him I was with Virgin Media, allegedly VM have to pay BT a percentage for line rental!

I asked his name - the very ‘English’ John Peacock with a very ‘African’ accent - & phone number - 0800 0800 152. (this could change of course).

Obviously he realised I wasn’t believing his story, so offered to demonstrate that he was from BT. I asked how & he told me to hang up & try phoning someone - he would disconnect my phone to prevent this.

AND HE DID!! My phone was dead - no engaged tone, nothing - until he phoned me again. I think they keep their phone off the hook

Very pleased with himself, he asked if that was enough proof that he was with BT. I asked how the payment was to be made & he said credit card, there & then.

I said that I didn’t know how he’d done it, but I had absolutely no intention of paying him, I didn’t believe his name or that he worked for BT.

He hung up.”

Please be very cautious when speaking on the telephone.  You have no guarantee they are who they say they are.  If you are left anxious after a call, use one of your own bills to obtain the telephone number of the organisation and ring them to ask if they made have tried to make contact with you.

Councillor Marion Kerley arranged for the benches to be installed during her year as Mayor of Test Valley in 2000. She says “Sadly the benches are now so badly damaged that they have to be removed. In light of the vandalism over the years and the impending change to the use of the Lower Guildhall, it is now planned to refurbish and relocate them to other parts of the town where they can be fully appreciated and used as they should be.”

I have spoken to Mrs Kerley regarding this and expressed my concern that the seats were to be removed and today emailed the corporate director at Test Valley to re-enforce this point as follows.

“I was disappointed to hear these benches were to be moved from the Guildhall. While I accept they need renovation to take them away permanently from the Guildhall and High Street is to remove a frequently used public facility.

On almost every occasion I’ve been in town I have seen people using them despite the fact they are damaged. Furthermore to remove them prior to giving Prezzo permission to use the Guildhall forecourt implies the decision to allow Prezzo to occupy this area is already made. In fact this point has been made in a letter in today’s Andover Advertiser.

I would prefer to see them remain where they are in front of the Guildhall and facing down the High Street. If they have to be moved can they be relocated either at the sides or further forward of the cobbled area so local residents still have the opportunity to sit there, in the sun, and enjoy the view of the High Street.”

I look forward to the answer.

Opening hours will be Thursday and Friday 5:00pm - 9:00pm and Saturday 2:00pm - 9:00pm. For further details contact the funfair info line on 07766 115320.

Little London residents have raised concerns about parking in Ridges View and in particular the poor signs advising that parking is for residents only. I have spoken to Testway Housing about this and they agreed the current signs are very small and often hidden by parked cars. They will be ordering larger replacement signs and will install them as soon as they arrive.

If you have any comments or queries please let me know and I will take them up with council officers.

It is now over a year since public access to and use of the lower Guildhall was ended and the alternative community facility was opened at the Rendezvous. Since then the lower Guildhall has lain empty and the Rendezvous underused and derided by many of the community groups relocated in there.

Previous attempts by me and Cllr Mike McGarry to find out how often the Rendezvous is used and how much this has all cost have been met with the answer that no figures will be available till the end of the financial year.

Test Valley must now have full figures for 2008/2009 so I have tabled the following questions through the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Can officers update me on the following?

• Current usage of the Rendezvous:

How many hours per week is it used compared to usage of the lower Guildhall?
How many hours per week is the upper Guildhall used?
How many previous users of the lower Guildhall now use the Rendezvous?
What proportion of the total usage of both is private hire as opposed to council use?

• Income from the Rendezvous and Guildhall:

What was the revenue from the Rendezvous and Guildhall over the past year? How does this compare to previous income from the Guildhall?
What was the rental income from the two shops which became the Rendezvous?
What was the business rate for the shops and what rates are now paid?

• Set up and running costs:

What were the set up costs for the Rendezvous?
What were the running costs for the Rendezvous and Guildhall over the past year?
How does this compare to previous costs for the Guildhall?
What maintenance if any has been carried out on the Guildhall over the past year and at what cost?

• For the future:

What is the projected income from the upper Guildhall and Rendezvous for the current year?
What are the expected running (admin) and maintenance costs for the two buildings over the next year?

I look forward to full and detailed answers at the next meeting in Romsey on 8th September.

The original decision met widespread disapproval in Andover and was  heavily criticised in the Andover Advertiser. I would like to thank Dick Bellringer of the Advertiser for raising the matter and advising me and other councillors of the public concerns.

In response to these concerns I asked that the matter be reviewed by the council’s scrutiny committee and asked that the committee consider the following

• A report on the the decision making process with particular reference to consultations with the police, the Chantry centre, Andover Business Against Crime (ABAC) and other stakeholders.

• An assessment of the impact of the decision on the effectiveness of exisiting crime prevention measures with particular reference to the ABAC radio network, reported reduced levels of monitoring of existing cameras, reduced local knowledge of the operators and the failure to extend CCTV to Andover’s car parks.

• A response to public concerns that the decision will have a negative effect on the local economy.

That report was made to the committee and officers agreed to review the decision in the light of public concerns. I also requested that a future report on the topic be in the public domain as the previous  confidential report increased public fears that the decision was ill-considered and unsound.

I am pleased to see that the fresh report to cabinet has answered these concerns and is open to the public. The new proposal is to retain monitoring in Andover means a retention of the existing effective service and closer co-operation with local police and businesses. What a pity the proposals weren’t thought through in March.

http://www.transitiontowns.org

The Andover campaigners have been working for the last few months and already made great progress particularly the food group who aim to encourage greater use of locally produced and home produced foods.

Yesterday’s meeting was to inform local campaigners that Andover had been picked by the Energy Saving Trust for support as part of their Green Communities program. My congratulations to everyone at Transition Town Andover for this success and best wishes for future projects which I will be supporting whenever possible.

If you want to know more about Transition Town Andover email andovertransition@googlemail.com

A number of residents have spoken to me about the phone box in Little London. This has been unusable since being hit by a car. Even in these days of mobile phones BT phone boxes are still important especially in remoter areas like Little London where mobile coverage can be intermittent. In this case the phone box is also an important local land mark. These red phone boxes are part of our heritage and should be retained in situ and working wherever possible.

I have contacted BT, who are aware of the damage, and advised them of the need to repair this box as soon as possible. I await news of when the repairs will take place.