Tories refuse to support twinings workers

Test Valley’s conservative councillors have rejected calls to back Twinings workers in their battle to save jobs in Andover. At Thursday’s council meeting they voted unanimously against a motion calling for them and the two local MPs to back the campaigners.

The motion proposed by Andover councillors Len Gates and Rod Bailey 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.

Speaking after the debate Cllr Gates said “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.”

Bus routes deffered

Campaigners have expressed disappointment that Test Valley Borough Council will not be debating changes to local bus routes at its January meeting. A motion submitted by Andover councillors Len Gates and Mike McGarry calling for a review of the changes and the subsidy given by Hampshire County Council will be deferred to the council’s Overview and Scrutiny committee for consideration.

Commenting on the decision Cllr Gates said “It is a pity we will net 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.

Tom McCann backs Litter Campaign

During a tour of Andover to meet local community activists Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Tom McCann met anti-litter campaigner Manuela Wahnon.



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 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/

Andover Lib Dems call for improved bus services

Andover Lib Dems are backing local calls for a review of bus services in the town. Test Valley Lib Dem leader Len Gates has already condemned Stagecoach’s proposals to reschedule local services in January. “The new routes and timetables represent a cut in services” he said. “Stagecoach has been forced into this position because of lack of funding from the Tory controlled county council.”

Len and St Mary’s councillor Rod Bailey 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. Both believe the county and borough council should be looking for ways to increase not cut local services.

Andover’s Lib Dems are also fully behind the campaign to bring Sunday bus services to Andover. Len Gates and parliamentary candidate Tom McCann recently met local campaigner Barbara Carpenter and gave their 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.

Speaking after the meeting 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.”

Bandstand - Latest

Despite promises to do so leading Tories have failed to find funding for a replacement bandstand for Andover.

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.

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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.

A Town Council for Andover

Test Valley Borough Council have finally given in and approved plans which will lead to a town council for 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.

New Trees for Smannell Road

Regular readers will know I have written many times about the damage and disruption along Smannell Road and to the Smannell Road open space caused by successive building and other contractors. We have seen the road closed, temporary traffic lights, floods and the open space ploughed up to lay cables, pipes and whatever.



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.