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Parish Council Elections to be decided by a Public Debate - Paul Rochford (29th Mar 2009 - 15:06:56) As I suspect we all know, candidate manifestos are a marketing tool, designed by the candidate (possibly in conjunction with others) and aims to present them in the best light possible so as to secure your vote. To inject some balance, I suggest we hold a local event, for the public to see the prospective candidates in action. This would be an opportunity to test the candidate’s knowledge of local matters, and check how they would respond on key issues. Rather like ‘try before you buy’. Set questions could be provided for all candidates, perhaps for them to present on previous Council matters, such as how they would have handled and managed the situation with the media around the use of the Millennium Centre by Fabuliss, a test of local planning matters, etc. Key components of the candidate’s presentation must address local views on crime and security, plus how the candidate would work with the Parish Council in support of, say, Street Watch. If the voters of Liphook feel there is merit in this, we would simply need to agree a date and time, and hire a room in the Millennium Hall or Village Hall for the debate. If necessary, we could collect donations to cover purely the cost of staging the event (presumably a small amount), or have a charge on the night of a token amount upon entry to cover room hire. This would be an opportunity to see the candidate’s in action, see how they respond to real-world (albeit Liphook) issues, see how they cope with the types of stresses they might experience if elected to the Parish Council. I am sure the candidate’s would support and indeed cease this opportunity, to get close to the public and fine-tune their manifestos and proactively seek our vote. I am not sure if other’s would like to see something like this, but perhaps if there is enough support a few of us could organise it?

Re: Parish Council Elections to be decided by a Public Debate - Paul Robinson (29th Mar 2009 - 21:33:12) I would welcome the opportunity to meet and question the candidates for the forthcoming by election for a Parish Councillor, and, if this were to encourage more people to get out and vote, then so much the better. I recall the last two elections where candidates in their manifestos promised greater transparency and an end to 'behind closed doors' sessions. Those that were elected have seemingly forgotten these pledges. Paul Robinson

Re: Parish Council Elections to be decided by a Public Debate - Sumi Olson (30th Mar 2009 - 15:01:54) This is good idea but wonder whether there are funds available under access to local goverment schemes which could be used? I'm not sure if there's anything specific but as the point is "engagement with the local community stakeholders" or whatever the latest jargon is at the moment, I thought there might be a grant condition under which the meeting would qualify? Does anyone know?

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