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Liphook Herald - parallel universe? - Dawn Hoskins (27th May 2011 - 08:38:36) In light of the ridiculous article that I have read this morning by, Gabriele Pike, I would ask those people who made the effort to attend our first council meeting to say what actually happened at that meeting. It seems that although Ms Pike was there and heard the discussion around the table she has chosen to conveniently forget it! At our first meeting, anyone who was proposed for any position was voted on (after agreeing that they accepted the nomination). In this way we have got Chairman and vice-chair and committee members for The Finance and Policy, Planning, Recreation, Highways Byways and Transport and Millennium centre committees. We also had to decide about the various Forums and voted on representatives for the Disability Awareness, Planning, sports and REc, Allotments and Highways Forums. (I don’t actually know what they are yet – as I said I was just trying to keep up for most of the meeting). When we got to the section of co-opted members, a discussion was had around the table to which any present was able to witness. There were names already listed as a ‘fate a compli’. The people on the list were not at the meeting, we did not know who they were. It was discussed quite openly, and had the Clerk’s wife been bothered to attend, she would have seen this for herself, as would Mr Tough. After the Committee and the Forums there were votes on who would stand for the following: Village Hall committee, Age Concern, Citizens Advice, Peak Centre, Liphook Community Maazine, River Wey Trust, The Preservation Society, Bohunt Centre and Management Committee (That’s Me!), Parish Transport, Parish Sports, Parish Tree Waden, Liphook Youth Management Committee, Youth Facilities Working Party (me again!), Community First, Allotments Rep, Parish Plan rep, Eco-town standing committee, website working party and the LMC Storage working party. It was long and quite tedious meeting where the most part of it was spent on voting people. However a few things were discussed. For example I was not able to agree that the Annual Accounts be accepted and a new working party was voted to go through the accounts prior to signing them off. We all sat around the table in a conciliatory manner. All councillors were talking to each other and being friendly. There was no discord at all, so it is very upsetting to pick up the paper this morning to have such codswallop being written. I was not a part of ANY meeting that discussed who the co-opted members were apart from the discussion that was had around the table at the time. We voted to delay as we were all new councillors and did not know who the people were. As far as I am aware no one objected to this and at no time was the new chairperson told by the Clerk that to delay the decision would be deemed as acting ‘illegally’. Also, none of us were told by the Clerk that there was a meeting we should be attending almost immediately for the millennium Centre, so most of us didn’t even come to defend ourselves – instead the new chairperson was ‘harangued’ by the clerks’ wife for her decision to opt for transparency and openness in the selection process. I urge all of you, come to our meetings. Then you will see what complete and utter nonsense is being written and you will all be able to make up your own minds on what you saw with your own eyes and heard with your own ears. Not the twisted version of events that the Herald seem content to vomit out all over the village. That 'alleged' reporter must be living in some sort of parallel universe where everything gets flushed down the toilet at the conclusion of events. Again, please, those present when the decision was made, if possible can you write to the Herald condemning the reporting standards we are blighted with. How can we begin to make things better if we have to put up with such poisonous rubbish every week?

Re: Liphook Herald - parallel universe? - liz (27th May 2011 - 09:42:45) It seems someone is trying to cause trouble without giving our new PC a chance which is a great pity. But isn't it the first rule of journalism that you don't let the facts get in the way of a good story? I like reading the Herald simply because it is so old fashioned and parochial - but not for its investigative journalism!

Re: Liphook Herald - parallel universe? - Jane G (27th May 2011 - 13:10:07) Dawn I have not ever attended a PC meeting but did read your post and the article in The Herald. The message I get by reading both these pieces of information is that the new PC seems to be standing strong in its decision to be more open and transparent, and I applaud the fact that you did not agree to co-opt committee members without first having met them. The apparent trouble makers in the Herald article come across as being rather childish and wanting it all their own way and Eve Hope comes across very strongly as the voice of reason. It is such a shame that our local rag does seem dead set on stirring up trouble, and maybe the new PC members should develop a thick skin and plough on with proving that you can make changes! As they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating :-)

Re: Liphook Herald - parallel universe? - Felicity (27th May 2011 - 17:07:08) I am writing as I wish to make it absolutely clear that I did attend the parish council meeting that Mrs Hoskins states that I was not at and heard every word at this meeting. Please would you get your facts right before you make sweeping statements on this website that are completely untrue. I don't appreciate being attacked in this fashion. Felicity Groves

Re: Liphook Herald - parallel universe? - Dawn Hoskins (27th May 2011 - 17:16:08) Good. If you were present you will have heard the debate around the table at which we voted to delay. You will also have heard that there were no objections from any of the councillors around the table at that time and you will also have heard that the clerk did not at any time state that to delay would have been an illegal decision. I am glad we have sorted that out.

Re: Liphook Herald - parallel universe? - Steve (27th May 2011 - 18:20:31) Oh no, not another pay out on the way!

Re: Liphook Herald - parallel universe? - john (27th May 2011 - 21:24:09) Dawn is spot on i was at the metting and we have great new pc . As for the disney times say no more.

Re: Liphook Herald - parallel universe? - liz (28th May 2011 - 08:33:02) Felicity Get a sense of proportion. You were not "attacked". I have just read the Herald article and if any of it is correct it seems that a former councillor who was not re-elected this time round wanted to cause trouble for those that were voted in. Quite petty I thought.

Re: Liphook Herald - parallel universe? - Eneida (28th May 2011 - 10:53:44) I think, by the very decisive result of this recent election, the people of Liphook have given a very clear indication that they want the PC to move away from the bickering and squabbling playground type behaviour that had been going on for the past few years. Those wishing to cause trouble for our (almost) brand new PC should do us all a favour and let them get on with the job they've been elected to do as THEY see fit...

Re: Liphook Herald - parallel universe? - Joanna Cooper (28th May 2011 - 12:43:07) I have just read the headline article in this week’s Liphook Herald. Having read this fine piece (see later), I would like to express my sincere thanks to John Tough, Felicity Groves and any like-minded people for all their hard work in ensuring that due process and the minutiae of all rules, sub-rules and sub-rules of sub-rules continue to dominate Parish Council business. Without heroes such as these, our parish councillors would be forced to waste their time on trivial matters such as parks and clubs for our youngsters, care of our elderly, roads and housing. I would also like to express my deep gratitude to Gabrielle Pike and the editorial team at The Herald, for their perception in realising that what the parishioners of Bramshott and Liphook need right now is to have confidence in their newly elected Parish Council undermined at the earliest possible opportunity, rather than giving the new Chairman and her team any time to establish themselves, get to know each other and learn the job. Once again, many thanks to all the above. Where would we be without you??!

Re: Liphook Herald - parallel universe? - Darren Ellis (29th May 2011 - 09:29:52) I read and re-read and re-read again the dribble written in the herald and I'm afraid I still don't understand it! It came across to me as the reporter trying to make a story out of nothing, with no real facts and therefore filling it with a load of legal speak and cods-wallop!!! (what ever that is??) I don't know Miss or Mr Pike (sorry to her/him) but the Dads Army saying comes to mind........"stupid boy Pike". Just let the council get on with the job, ignore the trouble makers gripeing because they didn't get re-elected and report on the good things happening in Liphook, there's so much of it that it will be easy for you!.

Re: Liphook Herald - parallel universe? - D king (1st Jun 2011 - 18:30:47) I would just like to support the comments of Joanne Cooper above. I think the efforts of John Tough, Mrs Groves, Mr Groves, the Parish Clerk and a few like minded individuals, are all invaluable for Liphook Parish. As without their planning , the new Councillors and Committees run the risk of progressing with work for the community, rather than watching their backs. Furthermore, I would like to thank the local paper for it's creative and imaginative and inventive stories. They have demonstated a certain flare.

Re: Liphook Herald - parallel universe? - Graeme (2nd Jun 2011 - 15:27:18) I totally agree with the last contributer, what a good article by Pike. I also note that the F&P have a meeting this Monday. How can the minutes be agreed when the new chairman did not attend the last meeting neither the new vice chairman (hoskins)? If you look at the attendees only 2 cllrs are still involved (poole and easton), any way I am sure they can muddle through or perhaps have an off-site meeting to agree what to do (I hear these happen quite often with the lib dems). PIP PIP

Re: Liphook Herald - parallel universe? - helen (2nd Jun 2011 - 17:55:50) As`well as dreadful spelling, Graeme does not appear to recognise irony. Also, if he does take a close interest in council matters he might realise that the committee meetings are not the only reason that people want to join the Parish Council- it is to try and get improvement in Liphook, if that upsets a few people along the way, hard luck.

Re: Liphook Herald - parallel universe? - Philip Jordan (2nd Jun 2011 - 20:44:15) If "Graeme" is the same individual who with anonymity sought to distort reality in the past I suggest that a) he let Liphook know who he is, or is he affraid to do so? And b) now that he has lost his opportunity for morning coffee he desist from pretending his contributions are relevant and let those who were elected (unlike some who failed!) get on with the task of making Liphook a better place to live! It would be better for all if the Council were supported and given the chance to demonstrate that they can improve on the past attempts at local democracy. Philip Jordan

Re: Liphook Herald - parallel universe? - liz (3rd Jun 2011 - 12:02:34) Graeme I would seriously mistrust the judgement of anyone who (really) thought the above mentioned Herald article was a good piece - whether they agreed with it or not!! This weeks headline? Haven't seen it yet. How about.... "Finchie's drinks cabinet full to the brim"

Re: Liphook Herald - parallel universe? - Councillor Barbara Easton (4th Jun 2011 - 12:16:50) In light of the above, there are this coming week two meetings of the Finance and Policy Committee. All members of the public are free to come to both meetings,one on Monday and one on Thurday. I am not on this committee, but if you want to hear what goes on, and make a judgement for yourself please attend, instead of perhaps hearing or reading a different account afterwards.

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