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Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - Don Jerrard (8th Dec 2011 - 00:56:20) The electors of Bramshott & Liphook must be thoroughly fed up with paying for elections caused by the resignations of Cllr Mrs Anna James and her cronies. Their present campaign is for the election of Nigel Newman and John Tough, both of whom were soundly defeated in the May elections, but now nominated for election by Anna James. So let’s have some facts about these two candidates. Nigel Newman seems to deny that he was arrested and charged with a serious criminal offence in 2001. Well he was – the JAC Party has a copy of the original charge sheet showing that Mr Newman was remanded to appear before the Aldershot Magistrates Court on 2 August 2001. The JAC Party also has a copy of a recent letter from Mr Newman’s solicitor stating that Mr Newman was only charged with “the two minor offences of criminal damage and affray”. Since when has smashing in the front and rear windscreens of a vehicle occupied by two people on a public highway with a steel bar been a minor offence? But this was in 2001, so perhaps Mr Newman has reformed since then. But the JAC Party is not so sure. In December 2008 two Liphook parishioners made a Complaint to the Standards Committee of EHDC about Cllr Newman’s behaviour. The JAC Party has obtained a copy of the Complaint under the Freedom of Information Act. The summary runs to two full pages with thirteen separate allegations, including threatening and making obscene gestures to the parishioners, illegally dumping waste material, breaches of planning laws and regulations and making false accusations to the police and other authorities. Sounds familiar perhaps? Allegation 12 against Mr Newman is that he attended a criminal trial in Aldershot and laughed when the accused was said to have threatened to kill one of the prosecution witnesses. The investigator, who happens to live in Liphook so not entirely independent, made no findings of fact on the allegations but told the Standards Committee on 10 July 2010 that there was no breach of the Code of Conduct because all of Mr Newman’s actions, whatever they were, were carried out in a private capacity, and not as a councillor! So Mr Newman made a statement saying that he had been exonerated! This is quite an interesting contrast with what happened when Cllr Rob Evans quietly asked the Parish Clerk at the end of a Parish Council meeting on 28 September 2009 if it was true that he had been stalking one of the lady councillors, an allegation which Cllr Evans had been asked to investigate by some members of the Parish Council. No-one present heard what Cllr Evans had said to the Parish Clerk. So what happened? Well the following day Cllr Newman, the Chairman of the Council instructed solicitors, paid for by the Council, to threaten Cllr Evans with defamation proceedings, and Cllr Mrs Anna James called the police who told Cllr Evans that he would be arrested if he did not voluntarily attend Alton police station for an interview. He did, and the police very sensibly told Cllr Evans not to worry about it. So a few weeks later Cllr Tough made a complaint about Cllr Evans to the Standards Committee, of which Cllr Anna James was a member, but of course played no part in the decision to refer the matter for investigation. But when the matter went to a Hearing on 18 July 2010, eight days after Cllr Newman was “exonerated” there were four witnesses for the prosecution, Cllrs Mrs James, Tough and Newman, and Miss Katie Hunt, a “friend” of Cllr Newman. By the way Mr Newman has now married Katie Hunt, and Mrs James did not think that the fact that she is second cousin to the Parish Clerk meant that she had a declarable interest. Nor did Cllr Mrs James think she needed to declare this interest when she joined Cllrs Newman and Tough in recommending payment of £8500 by way of compensation to the Parish Clerk. And then there is the small matter of what happens at Bohunt Manor. This was meant to be left as open space, and a recreation area (which could include football and other sports pitches) for the benefit of the people of Liphook. But unfortunately it somehow got purchased by Mr Brian Cox and his friends who thought it would be a jolly good idea to get a planning permission to build something nice on it like a medical centre or a gospel hall. The fact that there is no money for a medical centre, and the two Liphook surgeries doesn’t matter too much, because Mr Cox and his business friends can perhaps put some houses there, in order to fund a new library (there is nothing wrong with the old one) or the floodlights for a new football ground, even though it is not very likely that this would be allowed in the National Park, which happens to include the Bohunt Manor Estate. But then Anna James was one of only two District Councillors who did not want the National Park to include any of Liphook, and neither she nor Nigel Newman were opposed to the gospel hall – at least they didn’t say they were at the Parish Council’s Planning Committee meeting. Oh and by the way Anna James has been seen on more than one occasion with Mr Brian Cox on the Bohunt Manor Estate without another Councillor or Officer of the Council present. That is, of course, perfectly legal; it is just not considered very good practice. At least there have been no sightings, known to the JAC Party, of Anna James chatting to Brian Cox’s brother, Paddy Cox, now a Parish Councillor in Rogate. Paddy Cox was apparently fined a few pounds and asked to behave himself when he decided to turn a hosepipe on Eddie Trotter’s wife a little while ago. He was lucky he wasn’t a Councillor at the time because if Cllr Rob Evans can get suspended for three months for having a quiet word in the Parish Clerk’s ear Mr Paddy Cox might have got life imprisonment! So please bring this nonsense to an end, and don’t vote for Messrs Newman and Tough in the election. The JAC Party knows the other two candidates are much more boring, one being a chartered accountant and the other tending not to shout too much, but it would be nice to have some good news to report for a change.

Re: Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - NICK MASTERS (8th Dec 2011 - 08:56:33) Who needs eastenders and emmerdale when you have bramshott & liphook p c. what a good soap :-)

Re: Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - ant (8th Dec 2011 - 09:39:28) Wow! what a story, but it leaves me a little confused. What is this about the library Don, I have never heard anything about a new library at Bohunt Manor, and I am in there most weeks, its one of the best services we have and I hope they are not going to close it down, though it could probably be improved.

Re: Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - may (8th Dec 2011 - 10:36:27) Grow up and let the people of Liphook make their own decision on who to vote for. I am pleased that Nigel Newman is keeping a dignified silence, it speaks volumes.

Re: Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - liz (8th Dec 2011 - 10:43:11) It does seem that the Conservative element of the PC are in favour of the development of Bohunt Manor and a new road through it from the Portsmouth Road to the Longmoor Road or at least have been in the past. I think they should be more open about it then at least we know what we are voting for (or against). I have no particular political affiliations by the way but am always in favour of a bit of honesty.

Re: Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - ant (8th Dec 2011 - 11:32:39) actually Don, thinking a bit more about it, what could be wrong with a new library, as thinking more about it, a new improved one could be welcomed. My sister lives in south London and oges to Kingston library which is just brilliant, and far more uptodate with electronic data (and a cafe) than ours. But I know that so many have recently been closed and a new one could be good news for liphook. I frankly don't have political leanings but surely Don you would wish to imprrove this. who pays for it do you know and is this now a election matter

Re: Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - Editor (8th Dec 2011 - 12:17:21) This latest addition to the BLPC web site makes interesting reading .. Public Report of Accounts and Annual Return Working Party 28 November 2011 VOTE CAREFULLY ... "Cllr Newman instructed Messrs Mackarness & Lunt to threaten defamation proceedings against Cllr Evans. He had no authority to do so." "Cllr Tough instructed Hedleys regarding this matter, with no authority to do so"

Re: Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - Jane G (8th Dec 2011 - 12:38:51) Thanks to the editor for posting the link to the recent F&P report. It makes very interesting reading and I urge all residents to read it before making the decision who to vote for. I personally will not be voting for Newman and Tough based on this report, and I would have very grave concerns about them holding any form of public office. To be honest, how have they got the brass neck to stand again after all of this???

Re: Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - Michael (8th Dec 2011 - 15:03:11) Problem is this report was composed and read out by Don Jerrard so not independent and is full of his opinoins, i was at the council meeting and sat through 55 mins of his personal rants, views and vendettas. We do really need someone who is not connected to the parish council to carry out this sort of report.

Re: Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - Don Jerrard (8th Dec 2011 - 15:37:27) In response to Ant it probably would be nice for Liphook to have a new improved library but it is not an option, nor is it an election issue. What happened was that someone liaising with the developers of Bohunt Manor put it forward as a proposal, as part of a scheme which would have included houses on the estate to fund the library. But this was not supported by Hampshire County Council, who have no money for new libraries at present, and anyway are fully committed to the present library, which is not at any risk, unlike many libraries elsewhere. The present library is in a lovely building and thriving. It certainly could be improved, particularly by more electronic material, but that is another question. As the son of an academic and a mad keen football supporter I am all in favour of better libraries and football pitches, but in the right place and not at the expense of another housing estate right by a nature reserve in the National Park Don

Re: Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - ant (8th Dec 2011 - 16:14:42) Thanks Don Where is the Nature reserve that you mention, as I am not aware of any here though do you mean Radford Park

Re: Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - ant (8th Dec 2011 - 16:22:51) ...sorry Don, but where exactly on the estate did they propose to put the houses. you seem to be saying that if the built some houses it would pay for the library, but apologies if I am incorrect, but probably better if you let us know. I thought that this would or should be decided by some public referendum, but did this occur, which is why I mentioned the election. Don I am pleased that the library will not close anyway, but why didn't the library authority discuss any of this with public. Can we get them to say anything on this

Re: Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - Dawn Hoskins (8th Dec 2011 - 18:34:44) Michael There are four Councillors on the investigative working party. The only reason that reports are read out by Cllr Jerrard is becuase he is Chair. The information being gathered is being compiled by all of us and there are no 'personal opinions' included. It is a fact finding mission and facts will be published after removing names and identifying data. The Council as a whole will draw conclusions upon the facts found and independent professionals will decide the way forward if there is any doubt. I understand that when there are number of Councillors in the 'make-up' of a Council, that some will be liked or dis-liked more than others; however; I can guarantee that this report is being compiled with the care and attention that such a serious matter requires. The phrase 'don't shoot the messenger' should be bourne in mind - as just because a person does not like what they hear - does not mean that the words spoken or the facts found are untrue. I thank you for attanding meetings regularly Michael. I welcome and encourage more people to do the same. Much better to come to an opinion on something you have seen with your own eyes than to jump on a bandwaggon.

Re: Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - Gaffer (8th Dec 2011 - 18:54:01) Howcome you are replying on behalf of whats been asked of Don?? Are you on his side?? I too was at the meeting and if the meeting was recorded and kept on record you will find the phrase "in my opinion" comes up a few times, surely in a circumstance as serious as this an individuals opinion can have no relevance as this is a formal investigation is it not?? I'm still very new to all this but it seems we may have a 'north south' divide in what was once our nice little village!!! If the truth be told the only way to solve this seems to be to get rid of everyone thats ever been involved in the council and start a fresh!! Uh oh maybe i have spoken out of term!!

Re: Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - Dawn Hoskins (8th Dec 2011 - 20:39:54) Hi there, yes - you raised that point at the meeting, and you were answered at the meeting. Where Don was explaining points - he may well have used that term - however - no opinions will be in the report. That explanation stands now as it did in the meeting. I answered this point as we have put a lot of work into this -and I don't accept that just because someone doesn't like Cllr Jerrard - that the content of the report is being held in question.

Re: Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - Fed up with back biting (9th Dec 2011 - 08:06:22) First, I've made myself annon. as that seems to be whats done in these threads. 1) Liphook is still a lovely village. I wouldn't move anywhere else, my neighbours are great. 2) Several times we have tried to draw a line under the past council's activities and while the re-standing of certain people will drag up past feelings and events, people who are not prepared to stand for election themslves or offer reasonable solutions need to stop creating problems for those who's intentions are good. It makes you as guilty as the them. Rumours and innacuracies are actually more harmful. I agree we should all be informed but I think you've been going on about it all for too long, we're bored by your rantings and it makes you sound bitter and mean rather than a concerned citizen. You could be pushing people into voting for people you're actually trying to protect us from. Put your energies into something productive, like the skate park or Liphook in Bloom, helping at the schools, or best of all picking up dog poo. Then at least you can feel good about your own contibutions to the village. 3) When is the snow coming? 4) Does anyone know of any charities around the village who need volunteers during the holidays? I'd like to get my children (and me) doing some supportive things in the area.

Re: Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - Frances (9th Dec 2011 - 09:02:24) I thoroughly agree with the last posting. I have long thought that this is not the forum for pursuing personal vendettas. Surely the Parish Council should be concentrating on the day-to-day details of village life and not be involved in personality squabbles. It is a lovely place to live with a lot of positives.

Re: Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - Ant (15th Dec 2011 - 16:29:01) Now then, I have just heard something very interesting from my GP. It seems that the Library have been trying for nearly two years to be part of the new doctors surgery at Bohunt Manor, and if they were able to agree this, it would have given us two new surgeries and a brand new modern library, and help get the building done. My doctor told me that the library officials were so keen on it, that they took that doctors from both surgeries on a visit to a similar scheme in Portsmouth which they all liked. Also I was told that this was not connected to building new houses at Bohunt Manor as Don Jerrard has claimed above, and that the land owner had offered to donate the land to the library free of charge and without strings attached. I was also told that the council had requested all involved to deal with this in strictest confidence for the time being, and it some seems that Mr Jerrard has broken this confidence with the council. Mr Jerrard seems to rant in his message above and seems to have a lot of issues himself. I cannot see that any of this is in our interest and would ask if he is the right person to be in the council. Funny that he did not reply to my questions above.

Re: Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - Councillor Barbara Easton (15th Dec 2011 - 16:45:20) Ant I m very suprised you are reporting such things as fact on here. I was at a meeting with Hampshire County Council and no such thing was said about the library. Do not believe anything about Bohunt Manor until the South Downs National park authority and EHDC have formulated the next Local Development Framework. Do you really think any developer would "GIVE" anything? why would they?

Re: Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - Ant (15th Dec 2011 - 17:08:57) Barbara go along and ask your GP then, or should we get ask the Library department at the Council for a statement?

Re: Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - john (19th Dec 2011 - 17:43:39) I dont think we need a new library in liphook we have a really good one as it is.

Re: Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - Ant (20th Dec 2011 - 10:22:34) John, I am not saying that we need another library, i am just worried that like anyone else that there are all these closures going on around and now i see on the website that they are going to reduce opening hours and i hope that this is not the first cut of others to come. Don Jerrard says to me in reply on the 8th that (quote) 'it would be nice for liphook to have anew improved library', though also says in his other message on the same day but earlier(quote) 'there is nothing wrong with the old one' . This is very misleading for people like me, and I don't understand what he is trying to say with this. Neither has he replied to my questions about breaking a confidence as i was told, nor about the building of houses on Bohunt Manor, and it makes you wonder someone being able to be trusted. Also he has not disclosed where the nature reserve is and has just been silent.

Re: Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - john (20th Dec 2011 - 20:41:36) Ant it would be very sad if we lost the libary do you think this could happen?

Re: Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - Michael (6th Jan 2012 - 15:03:05) Please move back to top for Dawn to read.

Re: Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - Dawn Hoskins (6th Jan 2012 - 18:49:03) Michael I will print out and read carefully. Dawn

Re: Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council By-Election – Thursday 8 December 2011 - Peter R (13th Jun 2012 - 17:45:17) Jane I have brought this unpleasant posting to the top so that you can see real bullying.

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