The Leader of the New Forest District Council Liberal Democrats, Councillor David Harrison, will be calling upon the Tory controlled authority to agree to an independent inquiry into the circumstances that led to the authority, losing a High Court Case against a flooring company it had engaged to re-surface sports hall floors.

The Council is thought to have lost over £300,000, equivalent to £5 for every taxpayer in the district. No Councillor has admitted responsibility for making the key decisions and no member of staff has been disciplined.

At the full council meeting on 26th October, Cllr. Harrison will be putting the following question to Cllr Mrs Di Brooks:

From: Cllr D Harrison

To: Cllr Mrs Brooks (Leisure, Culture and Youth Matters Portfolio Holder)

“Great damage has been done to the reputation of this Council by what has become widely known as the ‘Slippery Floor Fiasco’. The District Auditor did not establish who was responsible for making the key decisions which resulted in the loss of over £300,000 of taxpayers’ money. Most Council members were completely unaware of what was happening behind the scenes and recognise that there are still questions that remain unanswered. Would it not be in the best interests of this Council and the public it serves, to agree to a proper independent inquiry?

Cllr. Harrison says “The Conservative party have closed ranks over this matter, thinking it more important to protect one another than to learn lessons that will stop this happening again. The public should know who exactly who decided to run this hopeless case all the way to the High Court at vast public expense. The District Auditor has not been able to determine this and only an independent inquiry will bring out the full facts”.

Totton & Eling Town Council and Marchwood Parish Council are being urged to work together in order to promote a safe means of walking and cycling between the village and the town.

Hampshire County Councillor David Harrison, who serves both communities, has asked the Town Council to extend an invitation to Marchwood Parish Councillors for a meeting aimed at pressing the case for a safe route to be constructed.

Councillor Harrison says “It makes perfect sense for the two councils to work together on this issue. There are some real problems to be overcome including land ownership, planning, design and raising the necessary finance. However, a safe means of connecting the two communities is desperately needed”.

A public inquiry into proposals that would increase HGV movements to and from Marchwood Industrial Estate looks increasingly likely.

Hampshire County Councillor David Harrison, has been pressing the Office of The Traffic Commissioner to hold an inquiry. He was prompted to do so by an application from the Royal Mail which would lead to a large increase in the number of vehicles using the site. At present, Royal Mail already have permission to operate 43 goods vehicles and 44 trailers from the site.

The Traffic Commissioner has written to Councillor Harrison, giving him until the 2nd November, to provide evidence that his objection is supported by local people.

Councillor Harrison says “I have organised a petition for people to sign, especially for those living closest to the industrial estate. My supporters are already out knocking on doors. The fatal accident last week highlights the very high volume of HGV traffic coming into and out of the village. Almost everyone agrees it has reached unacceptable levels. I don’t want to stifle economic development but there is only so much that this area can take”.

Totton Town Council will be fighting proposals that put the provision of car parking disabled bays at risk.

Members heard that officers working for the Valuation Department were insisting that the Town Council pay more tax as a result of marking out new bays on the town council car park, some of which provide access for disabled people using the town’s dialysis unit.

However, the Town Council does not charge for car parking and would be set to lose out if asked to pay more. It could mean an additional business rates bill of up to £1,000.

Councillor David Harrison condemned the actions of the Valuation Office. He said “This sounds like something out of Alice and Wonderland. The Valuation Officers know we don’t charge for car parking and the car parking space is exactly the same, no matter how the lines are painted. We are the good guys here, trying to make proper provision for disabled people, some of whom have to use the dialysis unit. I think that what is being asked runs counter to the Disability Discrimination Act. I will be happy to fight these proposals in court if necessary”.

Council members agreed that the new charges should be resisted and that the valuation officers should be reminded of their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act.

A riot of colour to brighten the town! That’s what Totton & Eling and Town Council are hoping for in 2010.

The authority has been working to help restore the popular town carnival next year. At a full council meeting this week, Town, District & County Councillor David Harrison persuaded members that Carnival week should also include a Totton in Bloom week.

He said “I was very sorry that the town missed out his year. However, next year we have the chance to rise above the economic gloom and get everyone involved. Hopefully we will enjoy a riot of colour all across the town.”
The Town council are now to talk to groups like the Allotment Society to see how they can contribute to brightening up the town.

Quarry activity in Marchwood must cease. That is the message that both Marchwood Parish Council and Totton & Eling Town Council will now deliver to Hampshire County Council.

Both local authorities had originally not put forward any objection to a proposal from operators of the quarry site. Marchwood Aggregates want to extend the life of operations at Bury Farm, Marchwood for a further 12 years.
The matter will be determined by the Regulatory Committee of Hampshire County Council, next month.

County Councillor David Harrison has persuaded both local authorities to lodge a formal objection on the grounds that local residents and road users should not have to put up with continued HGV movements beyond the original permission which lapsed in August this year.

Councillor David Harrison says “We can influence these things, especially if we all work together. Both Marchwood and Totton suffer terribly from large and increasing volumes of HGV traffic. The message is enough is enough. I am absolutely determined to reduce the amount of HGV movements in this area.”
Earlier in the week, a cyclist was killed when in a collision with a lorry, near to the entrance of the quarry.

Councillor Harrison has recently succeeded in persuading the Regulatory Committee not to approve a change to operating conditions to the Marchwood based Energy From Waste Facility that would have enabled it to process commercial waste and waste brought into the area from other counties. He has also asked traffic commissioners to hold a public inquiry into the proposed increase use of Marchwood Industrial Estate.

Liberal Democrats on Totton & Eling Town Council have boosted the green agenda by agreeing to purchase an electric van.

In a first for the Town Council, it has agreed to purchase a Mega Electric Van. Powered by rechargeable batteries, it has a top speed of 28 miles per hour and a range of up to 100 miles.

Conservative councillors were set to approve a recommendation from officers to purchase a diesel powered van, which was less expensive but produced carbon emissions that contribute to global warming.

Lib Dem Councillors voted down the conservative proposal with Cllr. David Harrison proposing purchasing the electric van. He said “It is no good claiming to be a green politician unless you act green. It is very important that this council take a lead in helping save the planet. I will feel proud to see an electric van being driven along our green routes, badged with the town council logo. It will also help us argue the case for action when it comes to persuading the District and County Council to sort out our air quality problems.”

One of the worst things about being a County Councillor is hearing that there has been a fatal road traffic incident in the area that you are responsible for.
Late this Monday afternoon, a young adult cyclist lost his life following a collision with an HGV in Bury Road, Marchwood. It’s the second fatality along this stretch of road in the last two months.

I feared the worst when I noticed that the road had been closed on my way to a meeting of Marchwood Parish Council. Ironically, it was to give a report about local highway issues and my campaign to restrict HGV movements to and from the village.

As a policy, officers from Hampshire County Council, investigate the circumstances of every fatal incident very quickly, with a view to considering whether there are any measures that can be undertaken short-term, or longer term to help prevent a similar occurrence.

As a former investigator for Norwich Union Insurance Company, I understand more than most that road traffic incidents are caused by a very wide range of factors. There are some things that the county Council can control to a degree, such as speed limits, hazard signs, traffic calming measures, the road surface, driver education. However, there are other factors which may or may not be significant. These include, driver judgement & behaviour, weather conditions, visibility, sudden hazards such as animals jumping out into the road.

Jacobs Gutter Lane / Bury Road / Normandy Way is a major HGV route, with very high volumes of traffic. I have long been worried about the safety aspects, as well as the noise and vibration from HGV’s that keep some people awake at night.

As a local councillor, I have been pretty much powerless when it comes to putting any sort of restriction on the use of Marchwood Industrial Estate. Operator’s licences are issued by traffic commissioners. At this very time, I’m awaiting a response from them to my request to hold a public inquiry into further applications which will increase HGV movements along this route.
Anyone reading the press will also know that I’m pursuing further restrictions on HGV traffic travelling through Marchwood village centre. I’m also opposing a change in conditions that will mean waste from neighbouring counties can be transported into Marchwood and processed at our Energy From Waste Facility (The Dome). I’m also fighting attempts to extend the life of Marchwood Quarry for a further 12 years.

The case for Hampshire County Council to provide a safe means of cycling and walking to and from Marchwood village is stronger than ever. Two other fatalities on the nearby A326 prompted much needed investment in safety measures. Now, I hope that urgent attention will be given to this route, before more lives are lost.

In the meantime, I extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this young man. I am very, very sorry.