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We thank and congratulate all the council staff who worked to keep the town functioning in January's exceptional weather.
But were they given the materals they needed for the job?
Difficulties in getting to work were made worse by the complete halt in local bus services. While this was partly caused by buses being stranded on roadsides as the snow swept in, and by deep snow and ice on the long, steep approach to First Bus's Hoeford depot, it was apparent even in the much less severe cold snap in December that bus routes are not being gritted as quickly as in previous years.
Lib Dem councillor Peter Davies monitored service information on First Bus's website, and found that Fareham and Gosport suffered far worse disruption than other areas on the south coast, even those which suffered further falls of snow.
As control over funds for services becomes ever more concentrated in Whitehall, Conservative councils such as Hampshire and Fareham are resorting more and more to cuts in services to keep council tax down.
Yet in Hampshire's case, they seem able to find money to set up a 'Senate' - a non-elected and poorly accountable body 'seeking a voice for Hampshire at regional and national government'. Hampshire's Conservative leadership propose that to make way for this grandiose body, the existing Hampshire an Isle of Wight Local Government Association, which has been working perfecly well for many years, should be wound up.
In troubled times, shouldn't we be concentrating on making the existing structure do a proper job for local people?
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Flooding in Mays Lane and Peak Lane, Stubbington, December 30 2009.
Liberal Democrats have asked for a review of flood prevention measures to minimise traffic hazards and damage to homes. If you have pictures of other areas which flood frequently,
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Tax on youngster's sports reduced |
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LIB DEMS have won a reduction in increased charges for Fareham Council's sports pitches used by schoolchildren.
The council's spending plans for 2010-2111 proposed increases of 9 to 10 per cent for hire of recreation grounds and open spaces.
The Council's Scrutiny Board voted unanimously for a motion proposed by Lib Dem Councillors Roger Price and Jim Forrest asking the Council's executive to reduce the proposed increases to five per cent, in line with the general savings councils are being asked to make.
The proposal was considered by the executive on December 7, and they agreed to reduce the increase to five per cent for pitches used by children.
Jim Forrest, who sits on the council's Community review panel, said: 'It's still arguable that the 10 per cent increase for pitches used by adults is out of line with the council's aim of promoting leisure for health, but this concession to the needs of our youngsters is to be welcomed.'
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SANDRA Gidley, Liberal Democrat MP for Romsey, was the guest speaker at a recent dinner at Antonio's restaurant in Fareham.
Her talk on the day-to-day programme of hard-working constituency MPs was a refreshing antidote to the stories of money-grubbing by some parliamentarians which have so disgusted us in recent months.
Sandra's seat is one of the most marginal in the country, but she clearly gives wonderful value to her constituents and we trust they will return her with a big majority at the coming general election.
It was interesting to hear Sandra, who was a strong supporter of fellow Hampshire MP Chris Huhne in the party's leadership election, tell of her growing admiration for the way Nick Clegg is leading the party. Nick speaks his own mind, she told us, but he is not afraid to let powerful speakers like Shadow Home Secretary Chris Huhne and deputy leader Vince Cable take the limelight on their areas of expertise.
The result is a growing awareness both in Parliament and in the country of the strength of the Liberal Democrat team.
Lib Dem members from Fareham, Gosport and Stubbington/Hill Head enjoyed a selection of Antonio's fabulous Spanish cuisine, and we offer our hearty thanks to Tony Piniero and his team for their hospitality.
Antonio's sponsors a number of local sports clubs, and it's great to see a successful business playing such a supportive role in the community.
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Friday, February 19, 2010: Skittles night at the Crofton: Stubbington and Hill Head v Gosport. (Ringers from other areas welcome)
Details and tickets from
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Saturday February 27, 2010: GRAND VILLAGE QUIZ at Wallington Village.
Details and tickets from
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No room for a 10,000-home new town |
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Fareham Constituency Liberal Democrat Party unanimously opposed the new town of 10,000 dwellings, planned for the area of Fareham just north of the M27.
Speaking at the October meeting, Peter Davies, the Lib Dem Planning and Transportation spokesman said: 'We are opposed to this development on a greenfield site and the only way you can cram in 10,000 dwellings in the space allocated is to have lots of blocks of flats. The impact on Fareham will be a disaster, as another 10,000 cars feeding into junction 11 would cause gridlock on the M27 and on local roads.
'People in the new town will have to use existing Health Centres and Henry Cort Community College, for at least the first five years, but probably for ever as there won't be the money to build community facilities. We call on Fareham Borough Council to stand up for local residents and make clear its opposition to this Government Plan.' |
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