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		<title>David Harrison - County, District and Town Councillor</title>
		<link>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php</link>
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			<title>Footway Repairs in Totton</title>
			<link>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry120519-184610</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Footways are being restored around the “Poets” Estate in Totton. <br /><br />Local County Councillor David Harrison has been out inspecting the quality of the work and talking to local residents. He says <b>“Almost all the feedback I have so far received has been good. It&#039;s a relief to see that this work has at long last been undertaken. There were many grumbles about the poor condition of the pavements. This work will improve the look of the estate and make moving about a lot safer”. </b><br /><br />Councillor Harrison is surveying local residents to make sure they are happy with the quality of the work, including the attitude of the contractors as work commenced.<br /><br />Councillor Harrison adds<b> “There are usually lessons to be learnt from every job done. When I asked the contractors to put in additional dropped kerb, they did so without complaint or delay. I&#039;m very happy with them, but I want to make sure that is the same experience as local residents”.</b>]]></description>
			<category>• News</category>
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			<author>David Harrison</author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 19 May 2012 17:46:10 GMT</pubDate>
			<comments>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/comments.php?y=12&amp;m=05&amp;entry=entry120519-184610</comments>
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			<title>Litter Bin Success</title>
			<link>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry120519-182853</link>
			<description><![CDATA[A new litter bin has been installed at the top of Jacobs Gutter Lane. Councillor David Harrison was asked by a local resident if he could get a bin installed. It was done within the week!<br /><br />Councillor Harrison says<b> “The resident had been picking up litter from outside her home. She was sending e-mails and making phone calls direct to the council asking for a new bin for weeks, without success. Luckily, I knew the right people to approach and “Bingo – a New Bin !” </b><br /><br />The lady in question is delighted and says the amount of litter dropped on the ground is a lot less than it used to be.]]></description>
			<category>• News</category>
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			<author>David Harrison</author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 19 May 2012 17:28:53 GMT</pubDate>
			<comments>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/comments.php?y=12&amp;m=05&amp;entry=entry120519-182853</comments>
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			<title>Marchwood Bus Focus Group</title>
			<link>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry120517-230708</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I chaired another meeting of the Marchwood Bus Focus Group this evening. Encouragingly, it was very well attended, with a lot of local bus users. Parish and District Councillors showing up. We had two officers from Hampshire County Council taking careful notes of what was said and two new representatives from Bluestar Buses, (one of which had only just joined the company).<br /><br />Detailed minutes of the meeting and action points will be circulated to all those attending. I am glad to say it was a pretty positive 90 minutes. The group is trying very hard indeed to persuade the bus company to run a service through the village in the evenings and on a Sunday and Bank holidays.<br /><br />I really didn&#039;t have to say anything myself. The group made some really excellent points in favour of the bus company re-examining the possible re-routing services so that we get a much better access to buses in the village.<br /><br />The officers from Hampshire County Council offered the welcome news that the bus budgets are not going to be cut again for the forthcoming year (I commented that this might be something to do with the elections on the horizon!).<br /><br />A re-tendering exercise is about to take place as the current contracts for subsidised services ends on the 3rd November. Bus companies will be competing for 4 year contracts, (with options to extend a year or two). A consultation will take place aimed at establishing views about which services are the most important, The County Council already tries to give priority for bus users who need the transport for employment, education, health and shopping.<br /><br />We have decided to meet again in early September so that we can discuss and make late representations to the Portfolio Holder for Transport at Hampshire County Council at his decision day on the 11th September.]]></description>
			<category>• News</category>
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			<author>David Harrison</author>
			<pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2012 22:07:08 GMT</pubDate>
			<comments>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/comments.php?y=12&amp;m=05&amp;entry=entry120517-230708</comments>
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			<title>Light Pollution - New Forest</title>
			<link>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry120515-222413</link>
			<description><![CDATA[In My View......<br /><br />By Councillor David Harrison<br />New Forest Liberal Democrats<br /><br />It wasn&#039;t until I joined the Planning Committee of the New Forest National Park that I fully began to appreciate the importance of trying to combat light pollution.<br /><br />In much of the country, the dark night sky with its glittering array of stars and planets can no longer be seen. The view has been lost as a result of the collective impact of more and more electric lights. Perhaps it is the price you have to pay if you live in a town or city. However, it is still something that can be protected in special places like the New Forest, if sufficient care is taken.<br /><br />At a recent planning meeting, we had a discussion about whether to approve an application that would have meant just a little more light escaping into the night sky over the leafy lanes of Brockenhurst. A representative from the Parish Council asked us to reject the plans on the grounds of light pollution. He mentioned that there is at least one Professor in the village who uses telescopes and cameras to peer into deep space. <br /><br />His plea was countered by a member who pointed out that the application only involved light from a single lantern and was likely to be rather less damaging than somebody who failed to pull the curtains on their window at night.<br /><br />Officers advised us that we should take a sensible approach to the issue. Clearly, we should resist things likely to have a major impact, like floodlit football pitches or car parks, but it would be probably be unreasonable to reject an application on a domestic property on these grounds alone.<br /><br />I do remember a while back that Southampton City Council proposed firing laser beams from the Civic Centre building towards the New Forest. Happily, this idea was dropped. I think it is also a very strong argument for resisting any commercial port development this side of the River Test and Solent.<br /><br />These days, I think it perfectly possible to design lighting that does what it needs to do without polluting the night skies. Of course most lights are put up without any sort of planning permission. I just hope that those who do decide to add lights inside or outside their property adopt a more enlightened approach! ]]></description>
			<category>• In My View</category>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry120515-222413</guid>
			<author>David Harrison</author>
			<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 21:24:13 GMT</pubDate>
			<comments>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/comments.php?y=12&amp;m=05&amp;entry=entry120515-222413</comments>
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			<title>Report for Marchwood Parish Council 14th May 2012</title>
			<link>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry120514-171921</link>
			<description><![CDATA[	<b>Report for Marchwood Parish Council  Monday, May 14th, 2012</b><br /><br />Children&#039;s Centres<br /><br />A charity called “Action for Children” has been chosen to run our local childrens centres, in place of the excellent staff who worked directly for Hampshire County Council who consistently achieved very good or excellent ratings. <br /><br />The official position of Hampshire County Council is that organisations like this can run things to the same quality with a lot less staff and management, saving some £3 million in the process. Whilst I really do hope this proves to be the case, I do not believe it to be true.<br /><br />Although the change has taken place, I have had no assurance that the Partnership Boards, (one of which I Chair) that oversee operations will continue. Some of my colleagues have resigned their voluntary positions. I have not yet decided what to do. I am very worried that the quality of service delivery will decline markedly.<br /><br />Marchwood Bus Services<br /><br />I have organised a further meeting of the Marchwood Bus Services Liaison Group, which will be held here at the village this Thursday, 17th May, at 7pm. All Parish Councillors are welcome to attend.<br /><br />Marchwood to Totton Cycle &amp; Walking Link<br /><br />I have had a meeting with HCC highway officers and briefed them as to progress to date. They have indicated a willingness to help and to attend a meeting that we are hoping to set up with local landowners, Barker Mills Estate.<br /><br />Adult Mental Health <br /><br />As a member of the Health Overview &amp; Scrutiny Committee  (HOSC), I have been closely following developments involving the gradual withdrawal of beds for those suffering from mental health problems, in favour of more care in the community or as it is nowdays termed “hospital at home”.<br /><br />The local MP, Dr Lewis,  has been fighting to keep Woodhaven hospital at Tatchbury open and made representations to the last meeting of the HOSC. Unfortunately, as I work for the NHS Trust concerned I was unable to take part in discussions or vote. The latest position is that the HOSC has supported the NHS Trust with its plans but has created a small working group to monitor the detail. <br /><br />New Forest National Park Authority<br /><br />I have joined the planning and Development Control Committee on the NPA. I have been involved in Project Mosaic, welcoming ethnic minority people to our National Park, explaining how it works and encouraging responsible visits in line with our duty to protect the area, help people enjoy it and assist in the prosperity of the area. I have volunteered to help man the NPA stand at the New Forest show when it starts on July 24th. It would be nice to see any of you. Free coffee for the first 20 visitors!]]></description>
			<category>• Annual Reports</category>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry120514-171921</guid>
			<author>David Harrison</author>
			<pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 16:19:21 GMT</pubDate>
			<comments>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/comments.php?y=12&amp;m=05&amp;entry=entry120514-171921</comments>
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			<title>Fight to Save Recreation Ground</title>
			<link>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry120513-161801</link>
			<description><![CDATA[			     Fight to Save Recreation Ground<br /><br />Totton Councillor, David Harrison, has launched a campaign to stop barriers going up at a local recreation ground.<br /><br />The conservative controlled Town Council are considering a request from a local soccer group, GR Soccer, that proposes it be given a long term lease for exclusive use on a large part the ground. It is also asking to erect barriers all around the pitch and to build a new clubhouse.<br /><br />Long term Council Member, David Harrison, is horrified by the proposals and wants the Town Council to kick them out entirely. He says<b> “Eling Recreation ground is a recreational park for everybody to use, not for the exclusive use of one particular sport. Although I love football and don&#039;t object to games being played at Eling Recreation ground, there is absolutely no way we should spoil the wide open space that everybody enjoys”.</b><br /><br />The campaigning Councillor has written to the Chairman of the Amenities Committee and the Deputy Clerk, saying that the proposals should be booted out quickly. ]]></description>
			<category>• News</category>
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			<author>David Harrison</author>
			<pubDate>Sun, 13 May 2012 15:18:01 GMT</pubDate>
			<comments>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/comments.php?y=12&amp;m=05&amp;entry=entry120513-161801</comments>
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			<title>&quot;The importance of Handbrakes&quot; by Councillor Harrison</title>
			<link>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry120513-121719</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<img src="images/car.JPG" width="300" height="224" border="0" alt="" />Totton Councillor, David Harrison, is  well known for his campaigns to keep car parks in the town free but he didn&#039;t intend a near miss that left a parking space free and an access road blocked.<br /><br />A red faced Councillor Harrison explains <b>“ I parked my car up in a parking bay at the Civic Centre car park. I then went off delivering leaflets for two hours. <br /><br />On return, I was shocked to see that my car had rolled back out of the parking bay and was blocking the access road. I must have forgotten to engage the handbrake.”</b><br /><br />Luckily, the car only rolled about 12 feet before coming to a halt. As this happened on a Sunday there were few other cars about and no damage was done. A local resident who witnessed the empty car rolling back said. <br /><br />“It was quite funny to see the unattended car slowly rolling backwards but it could have had serious consequences if anybody had been driving past or stood behind it at the time”.<br /><br />Councillor Harrison adds <b>“ I have to hold my hand up and apologise, it was an unfortunate error on my part. <br /><br />I will be extra careful in future to make sure that the handbrake is properly engaged whenever I park up”.</b>]]></description>
			<category>• News</category>
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			<author>David Harrison</author>
			<pubDate>Sun, 13 May 2012 11:17:19 GMT</pubDate>
			<comments>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/comments.php?y=12&amp;m=05&amp;entry=entry120513-121719</comments>
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			<title>New Forest Dog Mess</title>
			<link>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry120508-233057</link>
			<description><![CDATA[			Tory Council Fails To Tackle Fouling<br /><br /><br />Conservative controlled New Forest District Council employ just one dog warden and not a single penalty notice has been issued against people allowing their dog to foul on pavements, parks and even recreational areas in the past 7 months. <br /><br />Councillor David Harrison, member for Totton South, is calling upon the council to employ more wardens so that offenders can be caught and fined. <br /><br />He says<b> “I cannot blame the one dog warden for the abysmal performance. This person has enough to do catching and dealing with the many stray dogs that are abandoned in the district, a huge geographical area. Dog fouling is a serious problem and it is high time the District Council took the problem seriously.”</b><br /><br />In Totton, residents are often complaining about irresponsible dog owners who fail to clean up after their dog. The deposits can be a serious health hazard and may contain the toxacara canis parasite,  that can cause blindness.<br /><br />Councillor Harrison has written to the Environment Portfolio Holder, Councillor Edward Heron, asking that he agree to employ more wardens to tackle the dog fouling problem. <br /><br />He says<b> “ It&#039;s such a common problem that a few extra wardens might even pay for themselves if they catch those responsible and issue fines. I don&#039;t think the District Council is acting responsibly by ignoring the problem”. </b>]]></description>
			<category>• News</category>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry120508-233057</guid>
			<author>David Harrison</author>
			<pubDate>Tue, 08 May 2012 22:30:57 GMT</pubDate>
			<comments>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/comments.php?y=12&amp;m=05&amp;entry=entry120508-233057</comments>
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			<title>ASDA TOTTON</title>
			<link>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry120507-114942</link>
			<description><![CDATA[ 			<br />		   IT ASDA BE BETTER FOR TOTTON !<br /><br /><br />In a surprise move, the Asda Supermarket have scaled down plans to expand the Totton store.<br /><br />At a meeting of the Totton &amp; Eling Town Council planning committee, a representative from Adsa  told Councillors that the company no longer intended to greatly increase its trading capacity, with a much larger store and a single decker car park. The store had been granted planning permission in controversial circumstances as it would have attracted more cars into an area of Totton already designated as an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA).<br /><br />Councillor David Harrison responded to the announcement, telling members <b>“This is welcome news. I was one of only two Councillors who voted to reject the original plans because air quality is more important than the profits of a large commercial company. If Asda now understand that, then great !<br /><br />I hope also that Asda will now look seriously at solving the problem of abandoned shopping trolleys that you can still find all around the town”.<br /></b><br />Asda have brought forward a fresh planning application that includes a slightly larger store, aimed at “improving the customer experience” and more car parking provision within the existing car park.]]></description>
			<category>• News</category>
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			<author>David Harrison</author>
			<pubDate>Mon, 07 May 2012 10:49:42 GMT</pubDate>
			<comments>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/comments.php?y=12&amp;m=05&amp;entry=entry120507-114942</comments>
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			<title>Where Car Parking is Needed and Where it shouldn&#039;t be !</title>
			<link>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry120425-171613</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I have made a plea to Totton &amp; Eling Town Council to try and improve car parking near the train station and to try and persuade a local based company &quot;Trants&quot;, to make proper provision for staff car parking, rather than causing environmental damage to Cockleydown Copse, an important area of woodland in the area I represent, Totton South. Here is what I am telling fellow Councillors at the planning committee meeting:<br />Members,<br /><br />At the risk of being labelled as obsessed with car parking issues, I have two matters I wish you to consider:<br /><br />The First :<br /><br />I have given notice to your Chairman that I wanted to make the case for better use of the old Red Lion site. I&#039;m not sure whether McDonalds will come back with an amended application for this particular site but rather than wait, leaving it as an empty eyesore, let&#039;s be pro-active and see if it has potential as a much needed extra car-park, primarily servicing the train station.<br /><br />It&#039;s privately owned land, So I would like to propose that officers be asked to pursue whether it might be possible to persuade the landowners to open it up for car parking. There might be some financial benefit by so doing, but I think it would meet a rising demand for parking and help discourage on road and even verge parking elsewhere in the town.<br /><br />If, it seems the site owners are keen then I will discuss with officers the possibilities of incorporating a safer means of crossing the road, currently too dangerous. <br /><br />Second Issue :<br /><br />Application Number 12/98489 Trant Holdings Ltd and Mr G Ball<br /><br />When I was a boy, Trant Holdings comprised of half a dozen ground workers. These days, they are one of the leading privately owned construction and engineering companies in the industry. They now employ nearly 800 people with a targeted turnover of £110 million. It&#039;s a real success story.<br />Local projects they have been involved in include the Energy from Waste Facility at Marchwood, otherwise known as The Dome, and the Rose Bowl Cricket Stadium. They work for major blue chip companies and public bodies, including The Environment Agency.<br /><br />Members may be aware that the Totton HQ of Trants is located on the Rushington Business Park, opposite Cockleydown Copse.<br /><br />Given the status of a company like Trants, I can&#039;t tell you how shocked and utterly outraged I was when, one day, a while back, Trants deciding that it was desperately in need of more car parking spaces. It&#039;s solution, without consultation with anyone, without seeking planning permission, without regard to the fact that Cockleydown Copse has special designation as a site of importance for nature conservation, was to move equipment into the copse, cut down trees, level the land, fence it off and declare it as Trants new car park ! Even Simon Barker of Barker Mills Estates was unaware of this until I told him months later.<br /><br />So, Trants, a large company that boasts about its environmental credentials on its website, that even works for the Environment Agency, committing an environmental crime on land that many of us hope might transfer to formal open public space, likely if the Durley Farm housing development goes ahead in the future.<br /><br />Is it ashamed of what it has done? Was it really justified in taking this action because of inadequate car parking on the Rushington Business Park? Is it exploring all avenues to right the wrong and solve the car parking crisis?<br /><br />It would seem not... it applied for retrospective planning permission to keep the car park on woodland it has destroyed. It is currently appealing against the elected NFDC Councillors decision not to grant permission.<br /><br /><br />Nobody would have wanted an industrial estate to burn down on this business park but it seems to me that, out of this tragedy, lies an opportunity.<br /><br />Instead of a rebuild of the industrial unit, retaining the car parking problems, why not clear the site and create a proper, entirely suitable car park? In this way, Trants can vacate the illegal occupation of Cockleydown Copse. I would like to think that they would also remove the fencing, restore the ground surface and even plant replacement trees and shrubs.<br /><br />I ask members to recommend refusal of permission and ensure that the reasoning is passed onto the members of the NFDC Planning Committee. Thank you. <br /><br /><br /><br />]]></description>
			<category>• News</category>
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			<author>David Harrison</author>
			<pubDate>Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:16:13 GMT</pubDate>
			<comments>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/comments.php?y=12&amp;m=04&amp;entry=entry120425-171613</comments>
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			<title>Totton Town Council Charity Policy</title>
			<link>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry120424-162126</link>
			<description><![CDATA[In a new bid to boost charity coffers in Totton, local Councillor David Harrison is asking the Town Council to re-think the policy that does not permit charity boxes in council buildings.<br /><br />The conservative controlled authority has so far flatly refused to allow charity tins or boxes in any council buildings, expressing concerns that they might be stolen and that it could not be managed.<br /><br />Councillor David Harrison says that the current policy is mean spirited and totally out of keeping with local government thinking which should be supportive of charities. He has requested that the issue be put on the next agenda of the Policy &amp; Resources Committee for all members to discuss and agree a way forward. If this is denied, he will be putting a special resolution to the next full council meeting.<br /><br />Councillor Harrison says<b> “I think people understand that I don&#039;t give up very easily, especially when fighting in the interests of good causes. I really hope my fellow Town Councillors will understand how ridiculous and out of step they are on this issue. It should be perfectly possible to rotate different charity tins in various council buildings, such as the RNLI at Eling Tide Mill.”</b>]]></description>
			<category>• News</category>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry120424-162126</guid>
			<author>David Harrison</author>
			<pubDate>Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:21:26 GMT</pubDate>
			<comments>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/comments.php?y=12&amp;m=04&amp;entry=entry120424-162126</comments>
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			<title>Bollywood Dancing New Forest Style</title>
			<link>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry120424-103131</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<img src="images/Bollywood.jpg" width="300" height="200" border="0" alt="" />I have done some strange things in my time but..... being filmed Bollywood Dancing with half a dozen dancers of Indian origin, deep in the New Forest, comes close to winning the strangest yet award.<br /><br />On Sunday, I helped play host to city dwellers who are members of ethnic minority groups, encouraged to visit the New Forest as “Mosaic Champions”. <br /><br />The idea is that the New Forest National Park belongs to everyone, regardless of class, colour, culture. <br /><br />As a member of the New Forest National Park Authority, I support proactive moves to encourage people from all sorts of backgrounds to visit the area, understand more about the forest and enjoy themselves. Evidence from similar projects elsewhere has shown that encouraging a few members from these communities helps break down barriers and makes it much more likely that their friends and neighbours will visit the area in the future.<br /><br />On this occasion, we took the champions for a walk in the woods, accompanied by a Forestry expert, Dave Dibden, who told us about the work he has been doing improving a place called Pondhead Enclosure through various activities such as coppicing, planting trees, charcoal burning and general woodland management.<br /><br />As a reward to the hosts and a small celebration of a magnificent sunny spring morning, we were treated to a taster session of Bollywood Dancing. Great fun, with officers and members joining in. I can&#039;t wait to see the film when it is uploaded to You Tube!... &amp; here it now is... click on the following link:<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kd7pKx1i2Sk" target="_blank" >http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kd7pKx1i2Sk</a>]]></description>
			<category>• News</category>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry120424-103131</guid>
			<author>David Harrison</author>
			<pubDate>Tue, 24 Apr 2012 09:31:31 GMT</pubDate>
			<comments>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/comments.php?y=12&amp;m=04&amp;entry=entry120424-103131</comments>
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			<title>Let&#039;s Have Our Beach Back</title>
			<link>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry120423-105600</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<img src="images/DH.jpg" width="300" height="402" border="0" alt="" />New Forest District Council has been severely criticised by Totton South Councillor David Harrison for failures that have seen a popular local beach fenced off for six years.<br /><br />The foreshore at Eling Quay was fenced off in 2006 when a mix of toxic chemicals, including mercury, arsenic and other poisons were discovered on the foreshore next to Eling Wharf. It was considered a severe risk to public health, especially to children.<br /><br />The owners of the Eling Wharf, Burt Boulton Holdings originally denied that the pollution had originated from the wharf but eventually agreed to launch a £200,000 clean-up at its own expense.<br /><br />The continued presence of the fencing is angering local people, keen to access the site. Now, Councillor David Harrison is asking for a high level inquiry into further delays.<br /><br />Councillor Harrison says “<b>The matter has been discussed again and again by the conservative Cabinet on the District Council. It should have been properly cleaned up long ago but, we still have the fencing in place. Back in July 2010, the conservative portfolio holder said this was a valuable community asset and promised that the matter would be closely monitored. It clearly hasn&#039;t been. I don&#039;t blame council officers. There clearly aren&#039;t enough of them to do the job properly</b>”.<br /><br />Councillor Harrison as written to the Chief Executive of New Forest District Council, Dave Yates, demanding a full explanation as to the long delay in re-opening the foreshore, a firm commitment when it will be opened and a review into staffing numbers.<br /><br />Councillor Harrison adds “<b>The area is being marketed as The Eling Experience – what sort of experience is looking through the bars of steel fencing</b>?”<br />]]></description>
			<category>• News</category>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry120423-105600</guid>
			<author>David Harrison</author>
			<pubDate>Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:56:00 GMT</pubDate>
			<comments>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/comments.php?y=12&amp;m=04&amp;entry=entry120423-105600</comments>
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			<title>Another Twist in the Tap Water Saga</title>
			<link>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry120420-165645</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<img src="images/PICTURE_water-tap.jpg" width="300" height="450" border="0" alt="" />I have revived a call for the Parliamentary &amp; Health Ombudsman to examine the activities of the soon to be abolished Strategic Health Authority who still intends to add fluoride to our tap water in this part of Hampshire.<br /><br />This an issue that I have been working on now for several years, supporting a group called &quot;Hampshire Against Fluoride&quot;.<br /><br />It cannot be right that the wishes of the people and almost every democratically elected politician in the area can be ignored.<br /><br />Here is a copy of my representation to the Ombudsman, asking that the case now be investigated :<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Dear Sirs,<br /><br />In 2009, I submitted a joint complaint, along with my local MP, Dr Julian Lewis, with regard to the consultation and decision by the South Central Strategic Health Authority to proceed with adding fluoride to tap water in this area of Hampshire.<br /><br />You correctly advised that you would not carry out an investigation whilst a Judicial Review of the decision was underway. That has now finished and there is currently no legal action outstanding. However, the situation remains that the SHA are pressing ahead with the plans, despite the wishes of over 70% of respondents and all local councils and most MP&#039;s.<br /><br />May I please now formally request that you agree to re-open this case and investigate the activities of the SHA in relation to the plans to add fluoride to tap water.<br /><br />A further matter I would like you to consider is that it seems there is a very real prospect of the chemical being added to homes that were outside the area of the consultation. For some people, at least, there has been no consultation as required by law!<br /><br />I look forward to hearing from you,<br /><br />Yours Sincerely,<br /><br />Hampshire County Councillor David Harrison<br />Member for Totton South &amp; Marchwood]]></description>
			<category>• News</category>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry120420-165645</guid>
			<author>David Harrison</author>
			<pubDate>Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:56:45 GMT</pubDate>
			<comments>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/comments.php?y=12&amp;m=04&amp;entry=entry120420-165645</comments>
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			<title>Crunch Meeting To Decide Safe Marchwood - Totton Link</title>
			<link>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry120420-155648</link>
			<description><![CDATA[A crunch meeting of different interests will determine whether an off road cycle route will be built between the Hampshire settlements of Marchwood and Totton.<br /><br />County Councillor David Harrison as been busy setting up a meeting which will involve local landowners, The Barker Mills Estate, representatives from Marchwood Aggregates, Marchwood Parish Council and officers from Hampshire County Council. <br /><br />Councillor Harrison says <b>“The area has suffered from the impact of quarry activity since 1994, with just over 100 HGV movements in and out of the site every day. I think that there is an appreciation on the part of the commercial interests that they are obligated to put something back. A safe means of cycling and walking between town and village would be terrific.”</b><br /><br />It is hoped that a partnership of commercial interests and the local authority can be formed to oversee the project. A representative from Marchwood Aggregates has already indicated that it might be possible for materials and equipment from the quarry to be used to construct the new cycle route. Councillor Harrison has had indications from nearby businesses that they might also contribute funding.<br /><br />Councillor Harrison says <b>“There is hardly any local authority funding available for this project, so we are doing are best to get around the usual financial constraints. I&#039;m convinced that this is a high value project that will literally save lives”.</b>]]></description>
			<category>• News</category>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry120420-155648</guid>
			<author>David Harrison</author>
			<pubDate>Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:56:48 GMT</pubDate>
			<comments>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/comments.php?y=12&amp;m=04&amp;entry=entry120420-155648</comments>
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			<title>New Build At Totton College</title>
			<link>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry120420-145106</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Totton College is at last benefiting from some new building, with work underway on a new premises that will house the college&#039;s media, hair, beauty and holistic therapy departments. It is hoped that all will be ready in time for the new school year, in September.<br /><br />The college suffered a major setback three years ago when the then Labour government pulled the plug on £160 million on college redevelopment schemes in Hampshire. At the time, Totton College had spent £150,000 on fees developing a £40 million scheme which was described as “a once in a lifetime chance to build a world class building”.<br /><br />County Councillor David Harrison, a former student of Totton College, says<b> “This is a good news story that should help blow away some of the gloom in these troubled economic times. I&#039;m especially excited by the prospect of a new media suite, incorporating three large studios.” </b>]]></description>
			<category>• News</category>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry120420-145106</guid>
			<author>David Harrison</author>
			<pubDate>Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:51:06 GMT</pubDate>
			<comments>http://www.dharrison.org.uk/comments.php?y=12&amp;m=04&amp;entry=entry120420-145106</comments>
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