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Local Elections - Eneida (7th Apr 2007 - 14:42:26) It seems the people of Liphook will, once again, not be having a local election.....how disappointing!!! Eneida

Re: Local Elections - Barry Hope (13th Apr 2007 - 12:31:07) It is indeed disappointing that Liphook will not be having to hold local elections for the Parish Council this year. As you are probably aware, 6 of the current 12 parish councillors are not standing for re-election (including myself) which leaves 6 in place (uncontested). There were only 3 new names that put themselves forward so with a total of 9 people for 12 places an election is not required as they will be uncontested. It is a great shame that , out of over 8,000 people living in the area, only 3 decided to offer themselves as parish councillors. I know there are a lot of people who feel quite strongly about a lot of local issues (as the postings on this site show) and I think it is a great shame that more people did not put themselves forward so that the electorate could have a choice and see what the candidates stood for. I hate to say this but it seems a certain degree of apathy still exists when it comes to converting opinions into actions. All is not lost however, as there will be a further opportunity for more people to become a parish councillor after the May elections as the 3 vacancies will still need to be filled. However, if only 3 more names come forward they too (subject to the usual processes) would be co-opted onto the council without an election vote. So the message is... if you feel strongly about supporting the local community, put your name forward and make a difference. Best wishes Barry

Re: Local Elections - Paul Robinson (13th Apr 2007 - 14:18:33) Perhaps if the Parish Council were to use the Liphook.co.uk site to inform their constituents of the vacancies on the PC then they might have got a better response from those residents who care about Liphook. Or perhaps they announced it on their own web site, or is that still under construction? There are a couple of requests on this site for the Parish Council to follow up on topics or at least comment. The fact that nothing has been forthcoming from them suggests that none of them read this site, save perhaps Barry Hope and he is coming off the PC. Does anyone care to speculate, as I do, on why so many Parish Councillors have decided to jump ship at this time? Coincidence? Or could it be the mounting legal costs being incurred in their court action against the Scouts and Guides? I think we should be told. Paul Robinson

Re: Local Elections - Barry Hope (13th Apr 2007 - 15:18:42) Paul, The local elections have been in the media for some time now and I think most people will know that they are coming up. It was only after the deadline for nominations was reached (4th April) that it was possible to know who was standing and who was not and how many new candidates there were. So it would have been difficult to advertise anything other than the elections were happening on the 3rd May any earlier than that date. Regards Barry

Re: Local Elections - Eneida (13th Apr 2007 - 16:47:20) Barry, although I think you're right in saying 'apathy' is one of the reasons people do not put their names forward to become Councillors, I do believe it goes deeper than just that. I think many people may feel they would not be made welcome, or even be bullied if their opinions differed from those of the establishment!! I remember a story in the local paper, after the recent bye-election, about Nigel Newman being 'handbagged' by a lady Councillor at his first meeting because he had spoken about the Scouts & Guides situation, although, I believe, he denied it..... I certainly would not be brave enough ;) Eneida

Re: Local Elections - Freddie Dawkins (14th Apr 2007 - 13:08:19) Hi, Eneida, Paul, all here- As one of the other Parish councillors standing down, after four years, there are some misconceptions about what councillors do and why we choose to do it. First of all, Nigel's no shrinking violet. Many of us have disagreed about certain issues over he past four years, but we have been incredibly lucky in having Alan Jordan and then Barry Hope as our Chairman. Nigel and I have disagreed about some of the approaches to some of the issues (not just S&G) - but I think we've also got enormous respect for each other and been able to support each other on other important issues. I think the Parish has been lucky to have several independent councillors, with no party affiliations - although most of the time politics plays no part in Parsh-level decisions. The job of chairman is very demanding - and both Alan and Barry have full time jobs, yet often have given up three or four evenings a week and weekend time to do their unpaid jobs. As we are all still councillors until the after the elections next month, we are bound by the same Code of Conduct and confidentiality - but I don't think any of us are standing down because of the costs of the action brought against the PC by the Scouts and Guides. I do think it's a great shame that some people here are all too quick to "have a go" at the PC and then not be prepared to do something and actually put themselves forward to join the council - or even support some of the ancillary organisations around the Parish. One good bit of news, I see that Greg Amey is back on the PC. We were all sorry when he stood down a couple of years ago for personal reasons and I'm delighted that he has been able to come back. Greg has a great knowledge of the Parish, the people and the infrastructure, so he'll be a real asset. As there are still 3 open places, why don't some of you here put yourselves forward and find join the PC? You might actually enjoy doing it and you'll certainly not be able to complain about "not knowing what's going on" again! Freddie

Re: Local Elections - Eneida (14th Apr 2007 - 14:35:18) Freddie, I'm quite certain Nigel Newman can give as good as he gets with the best of them and good luck to him....but, with all due respect, that was not the point I was trying to make!!! However you've been very kind to me in the past and I don't want to quarrel with you.... :) Eneida

Re: Local Elections - Barry Hope (14th Apr 2007 - 15:21:30) Eneida, I understand what you are saying but I for one would welcome anyone from any background onto the parish council. I have absolutely no problem with anyone putting their view forward and think that this is actually very healthy and enhances the democratic process. Of course there will be disagreements and differences but at the end of the day at least everyone has had a chance to have their say. I don't think anyone is bullied into a decision and I as chairman would not allow this, in fact I always try to ensure that all councillors are able to speak and have their views taken into account. Of course it is always advisable for anyone to establish the facts first before making unfair comment or criticism. I am leaving the council this year for a number of reasons (some of them personal), but none of them include anything that I am ashamed of or cause me to "jump ship." I would suggest, as I have a number of times before, that not all that people read in the media or hear second hand, is necessarily true and that there is always another side to any issue. All I can say is that, in any situation, I have always tried to look at things in a reasoned, logical and sensible way at the same time as trying to take into account the needs of all sections of Liphook and the views of as many people as possible. It's not easy and it is sometimes certainly not the best way to win friends but at the end of the day I think that democratic debate is the only way decisions can be reached. To do it any other way would open us up to tremendous criticism (and quite rightly so). Best wishes Barry

Re: Local Elections - Paul Robinson (17th Apr 2007 - 21:50:08) Is it coincidence that the two members of the Parish Council who have contributed to this posting are among the members leaving and that there is a deafening silence from councilors who continue to represent our views? Is there a Parish Council web site? Paul Robinson

Re: Local Elections - Eneida (18th Apr 2007 - 08:33:56) I checked out the PC website this morning out of curiosity Paul!!! It still appears to be 'under construction' and the last date I could see was the minutes of the annual PC meeting in March 2006.... bramshottandliphook-pc.gov.uk Eneida

Re: Local Elections - Grahame Polley (18th Apr 2007 - 12:10:58) I cannot see any point on being on the council if you can't vote or be involved in any discussion on an issue that you declare an interest in.

Re: Local Elections - Editor (20th Apr 2007 - 09:51:54) Eneida, I found this little gem on their web site bramshottandliphook-pc.gov.uk/... dated November 2005 - even the zebra crossing was faster than this ! Alan

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