GOSPORT LIBERAL
DEMOCRATS -
WORKING FOR YOU
ALL YEAR ROUND
DEMOCRATS -
ALL YEAR ROUND
Lib Dem NEWS +++
Gosport Liberal Democrats are STEPPING UP their fight to stop the closure of local sub-post offices.
Since Labour came to power, HALF of Gosport’s sub-post offices have been closed. Around the
country, 1700 sub-post offices were shut down under the last Conservative government.
Lib Dem campaigners are furious that officials IGNORED a 800-signature petition to save the popular
Camden Post Office on Ann’s Hill Road.
“The Liberal Democrats are the ONLY party who have been campaigning to keep our local post
offices open,” said Gosport Lib Dem spokesperson Councillor Keith Gill, who tried hard to save the
Bury Cross Post Office last year. “The sub-post offices provide a valuable service to our community.”
“The Liberal Democrats are the ONLY party who have been campaigning to keep our local post
offices open,” said Gosport Lib Dem spokesperson Councillor Keith Gill, who tried hard to save the
Bury Cross Post Office last year. “The sub-
Conservatives cut course funding (but put up taxes)
Hampshire’s Conservative-run County Council has SLASHED funding for courses aimed at making
learning fun for all ages. The £324,000 cuts mean THOUSANDS of adult learners will find the cost of
their courses GOING UP – or being SCRAPPED altogether. Conservative Councillors also voted to cut
£600,000 from the ‘book fund’ that buys new books for libraries in Gosport and throughout
Hampshire.
At the same time, however, the Tories voted to INCREASE COUNCIL TAX by 15%. This is the latest in
a string of increases that have seen Council Tax almost DOUBLE since the Conservatives took over
County Hall in 1997.
their courses GOING UP – or being SCRAPPED altogether. Conservative Councillors also voted to cut
£600,000 from the ‘book fund’ that buys new books for libraries in Gosport and throughout
Hampshire.
At the same time, however, the Tories voted to INCREASE COUNCIL TAX by 15%. This is the latest in
a string of increases that have seen Council Tax almost DOUBLE since the Conservatives took over
County Hall in 1997.
After pressure from Liberal Democrat councillors, police and the
DVLA have carried out a crackdown on untaxed and abandoned cars
on Gosport’s roads. Dozens of local residents responded to a Liberal
Democrat survey and highlighted the number of untaxed and dumped
cars littering our streets. THANKS TO YOU more than 80 were taken
off the streets last month alone!
DVLA have carried out a crackdown on untaxed and abandoned cars
on Gosport’s roads. Dozens of local residents responded to a Liberal
Democrat survey and highlighted the number of untaxed and dumped
cars littering our streets. THANKS TO YOU more than 80 were taken
off the streets last month alone!
Do YOU have abandoned and untaxed cars littering your
neighbourhood? GET IN TOUCH! Click HERE for details.
neighbourhood? GET IN TOUCH! Click HERE for details.
Liberal Democrat Councillors
are working to clean up our
borough. So far, there have
been FOUR successful
prosecutions for fly-tipping
brought, and the Council has
organised EXTRA street
sweeping in a number of
areas.
are working to clean up our
borough. So far, there have
been FOUR successful
prosecutions for fly-
organised EXTRA street
sweeping in a number of
areas.
£14m Pompey Training Centre in Gosport
Liberal Democrat Councillors have PERSUADED Portmouth Football
Club to build their £14 million Training Complex in Gosport.
The FA Cup Winners’ world-class sports facility will also be OPEN for
local schools and colleges – as well as for training Gosport’s
up-and-coming sports stars.
Lib Dem Councillor Peter Chegwyn said:
“These magnificent new facilities are going to built in Gosport AT
NO COST to local Council Tax-payers. Gosport people will gain from
having the facilities here.”
Club to build their £14 million Training Complex in Gosport.
The FA Cup Winners’ world-
up-
“These magnificent new facilities are going to built in Gosport AT
NO COST to local Council Tax-
High Street work gets underway
Work has started on improvements to Gosport Town Centre to
make it more attractive to shoppers and new businesses.
The High Street improvements scheme includes plans to
improve paving and more attractive landscaping.
Liberal Democrat councillors put forward the proposals in order to
Help local shops and businesses, and have also fought to KEEP
Free parking in the town centre’s short stay car parks.
“The Liberal Democrats are keen to help town centre traders
and attract new business investment into our town,” said
Gosport Lib Dem spokesperson Councillor Peter Chegwyn. “We
will fight to ensure the Conservatives do NOT bring back
car park charges in the town centre."”
make it more attractive to shoppers and new businesses.
The High Street improvements scheme includes plans to
improve paving and more attractive landscaping.
Liberal Democrat councillors put forward the proposals in order to
Help local shops and businesses, and have also fought to KEEP
Free parking in the town centre’s short stay car parks.
“The Liberal Democrats are keen to help town centre traders
and attract new business investment into our town,” said
Gosport Lib Dem spokesperson Councillor Peter Chegwyn. “We
will fight to ensure the Conservatives do NOT bring back
car park charges in the town centre."”
Lib Dems win
bus pass battle
The campaign to SAVE
pensioners’ travel tokens and
bus passes has ended..in
SUCCESS! Conservative
Councillors wanted to cut the
times they could be used – but
Liberal Democrat Councillors
successfully argued that OAPs
and the disabled should
still get the same FREE travel
they have always enjoyed.
bus pass battle
The campaign to SAVE
pensioners’ travel tokens and
bus passes has ended..in
SUCCESS! Conservative
Councillors wanted to cut the
times they could be used – but
Liberal Democrat Councillors
successfully argued that OAPs
and the disabled should
still get the same FREE travel
they have always enjoyed.
Some of Gosport’s most popular
pubs have fallen prey to the
economic crisis, with more
expected to follow suit in the
months ahead.
Among the most recent closures
are The Wheatsheaf on Brockhurst
Road, The Wilshire Lamb at Bury
Cross and The Old House At Home
In Priory Road.
“These were good local
community pubs loved by their
regulars” said Lib Dem Councillor
AUSTIN HICKS.
pubs have fallen prey to the
economic crisis, with more
expected to follow suit in the
months ahead.
Among the most recent closures
are The Wheatsheaf on Brockhurst
Road, The Wilshire Lamb at Bury
Cross and The Old House At Home
In Priory Road.
“These were good local
community pubs loved by their
regulars” said Lib Dem Councillor
AUSTIN HICKS.
“We can ill afford to lose
social centres like these pubs
and the local sub-post offices
that have closed in our area.”
Liberal Democrat Councillors
are seeking an urgent meeting
with the pub chains that own
many of our borough’s pubs to
try to tackle the crisis.
“We will do whatever we can
through planning laws and
other means to help our local
pubs stay afloat through this
crisis,” added Councillor Hicks.
social centres like these pubs
and the local sub-
Liberal Democrat Councillors
are seeking an urgent meeting
with the pub chains that own
many of our borough’s pubs to
try to tackle the crisis.
“We will do whatever we can
through planning laws and
other means to help our local
pubs stay afloat through this
crisis,” added Councillor Hicks.
FLY-TIPPERS
PROSECUTED
Councillor Austin Hicks is
heading up the local Lib
Dem campaign to save our
pubs
heading up the local Lib
Dem campaign to save our
pubs
Green Bag scheme SAVED!
Gosport’s popular scheme for collecting garden waste is to continue – contrary to rumours that it
might be scrapped. “Liberal Democrats are keen to encourage more waste recycling,” said Lib Dem
spokesperson Councillor Peter Chegwyn. “With over 30,000 sacks of garden waste recycled every
year, the Green Bag scheme plays a key role.”
Gosport’s popular scheme for collecting garden waste is to continue – contrary to rumours that it
might be scrapped. “Liberal Democrats are keen to encourage more waste recycling,” said Lib Dem
spokesperson Councillor Peter Chegwyn. “With over 30,000 sacks of garden waste recycled every
year, the Green Bag scheme plays a key role.”
Councillor Ingeborg Forder
Councillor Bob Forder
HOME I NEWS I VIGGERS I LOCAL ACTION I CAMPAIGNS I OPINION I FREE STUFF I CONTACT I LINKS
Work is set to begin in the
New Year on the £140m
redevelopment of
Rowner which the Lib Dems
campaigned for.
Councillor Peter Chegwyn said
the proposed redevelopment
provided "real hope of a fresh
start" for Rowner.
"We have insisted that
existing residents should be
fully consulted throughout the
planning process and given
every help to find a new home.
"This redevelopment is of
huge importance to Rowner
and Gosport but we must
never forget that we are
talking about people's homes
and lives here. We need to work with the community and not against them to ensure the best possible future for
Rowner and for everyone who lives there," he added.
New Year on the £140m
redevelopment of
Rowner which the Lib Dems
campaigned for.
Councillor Peter Chegwyn said
the proposed redevelopment
provided "real hope of a fresh
start" for Rowner.
"We have insisted that
existing residents should be
fully consulted throughout the
planning process and given
every help to find a new home.
"This redevelopment is of
huge importance to Rowner
and Gosport but we must
never forget that we are
talking about people's homes
and lives here. We need to work with the community and not against them to ensure the best possible future for
Rowner and for everyone who lives there," he added.
Angry residents have reported the
Conservative councillor for Bridgemary
North to the Standards Board for failing
to reply to letters, emails and phone
calls or say where he lives. Tory
Councillor Keith Edwards is believed to
be living on a boat somewhere in
Portsmouth Harbour but Council
publications give his home address as
the Conservative Party office in Stoke
Road. Now Bridgemary Liberal
Democrats say Mr. Edwards should
come clean about where he
really resides and start doing
the job he was elected to do or
resign. "What use is a
Councillor you cannot find?",
said a spokesperson.
£140m redevelopment plan for Rowner
ALL YEAR ROUND!
e-libdems
LOWEST COUNCIL TAX
INCREASE FOR YEARS
In 2009, the Liberal Democrats gave Gosport one of
its lowest Council Tax increases for years. The
inflation-beating rise of just 2.5% was also one of the
lowest in the country.
Gosport Council's share of the Council Tax for a
Band D property was put up by just £4.94 a year this
April. That's less than 10p a week.
But the Conservative County Council increased their share of the Council Tax by FOUR TIMES
as much, adding £19.17 for a Band D property ...increasing their share of the Council Tax for a
Band D to over £1,000 for the first time. The Tories are also spending £40 million on new
Council offices in Winchester!
There are now fears that the new Tory regime in Gosport is looking to CUT essential services.
INCREASE FOR YEARS
In 2009, the Liberal Democrats gave Gosport one of
its lowest Council Tax increases for years. The
inflation-
Gosport Council's share of the Council Tax for a
Band D property was put up by just £4.94 a year this
April. That's less than 10p a week.
But the Conservative County Council increased their share of the Council Tax by FOUR TIMES
as much, adding £19.17 for a Band D property ...increasing their share of the Council Tax for a
Band D to over £1,000 for the first time. The Tories are also spending £40 million on new
Council offices in Winchester!
There are now fears that the new Tory regime in Gosport is looking to CUT essential services.
Local residents have reacted
FURIOUSLY to plans by the new
Conservative regime at Gosport
Town Hall to SCRAP plans to replace the decaying Holbrook Leisure Centre with a brand
new swimming pool, state-of-
the-art fitness suite, multi-
purpose indoor sports hall, and
floodlit all-weather outdoor pitch.
FURIOUSLY to plans by the new
Conservative regime at Gosport
Town Hall to SCRAP plans to replace the decaying Holbrook Leisure Centre with a brand
new swimming pool, state-
floodlit all-
The £11 million project - which
also included plans for a much-
and store - had been put
forward by Gosport's Liberal
Democrats.
But Tory Councillor Mark Hook
called a secret meeting behind
and store -
Democrats.
But Tory Councillor Mark Hook
called a secret meeting behind
Hook scraps new Holbrook centre plan
Dog-owners back “common-sense” changes
Residents and dog-owners
alike have welcomed Lib Dem
proposals to change rules
governing the walking of dogs
off their lead.
The orders originally proposed
by council officers had caused
concern among some dog
owners due to poor drafting
and confusing wording.
Lib Dem Councillors quickly
called a meeting of the
Council's Emergency Sub-
chance to consider public
comments and amend the
draft Dog Orders.
“We want to crackdown on
the dog fouling problem
caused by the small number
of irresponsible dog owners
who fail to clean up after their
pets. But we do not want to
stop the vast majority of
responsible dog owners from
exercising their dogs off the
lead across our parks and
public open spaces,” said Lib
Dem Councillor Peter
Chegwyn.
proposals to change rules
governing the walking of dogs
off their lead.
The orders originally proposed
by council officers had caused
concern among some dog
owners due to poor drafting
and confusing wording.
Lib Dem Councillors quickly
called a meeting of the
Council's Emergency Sub-
chance to consider public
comments and amend the
draft Dog Orders.
“We want to crackdown on
the dog fouling problem
caused by the small number
of irresponsible dog owners
who fail to clean up after their
pets. But we do not want to
stop the vast majority of
responsible dog owners from
exercising their dogs off the
lead across our parks and
public open spaces,” said Lib
Dem Councillor Peter
Chegwyn.
“Councillors have approved
Orders which give Council
officers greater powers to
crackdown on the small
number of irresponsible dog
owners who fail to clean-up
after their pets. We've also
approved Orders banning
dogs from childrens play
areas and from sports pitches
when in use for organised
events. Dogs will also be
banned from the area of The
Wildgrounds designated as a
Site of Special Scientific
Interest and from the small
area near Grange Farm
where the Council itself
keeps animals.
“We've amended the Dogs on
a Lead Order to make it clear
that dogs will only have to be
kept on a lead in cemeteries,
churchyards, allotments and
in the close proximity of
sports pitches when
organised sports activities
are taking place.
“On all other land including
open land in the Alver Valley
and at Stokes Bay dog
owners can continue to
exercise their dogs off the
lead in the future just as they
always have done in the past.
Orders which give Council
officers greater powers to
crackdown on the small
number of irresponsible dog
owners who fail to clean-
approved Orders banning
dogs from childrens play
areas and from sports pitches
when in use for organised
events. Dogs will also be
banned from the area of The
Wildgrounds designated as a
Site of Special Scientific
Interest and from the small
area near Grange Farm
where the Council itself
keeps animals.
“We've amended the Dogs on
a Lead Order to make it clear
that dogs will only have to be
kept on a lead in cemeteries,
churchyards, allotments and
in the close proximity of
sports pitches when
organised sports activities
are taking place.
“On all other land including
open land in the Alver Valley
and at Stokes Bay dog
owners can continue to
exercise their dogs off the
lead in the future just as they
always have done in the past.
“I believe this is a
commonsense response
to the concerns of both
dog owners and those
Gosport residents who
wish us to tackle the
dog-fouling problem in
many areas of our town.
“The Council will now
have the powers to deal
with irresponsible dog
owners who fail to clean
up after their pets but
commonsense response
to the concerns of both
dog owners and those
Gosport residents who
wish us to tackle the
dog-
“The Council will now
have the powers to deal
with irresponsible dog
owners who fail to clean
up after their pets but
responsible dog owners will
still have the freedom to
exercise their dogs off the
lead across parks and public
open spaces just as they
always have done.”
still have the freedom to
exercise their dogs off the
lead across parks and public
open spaces just as they
always have done.”
Above: Councillor Peter
Chegwyn, who proposed
the new changes to the
Dog Orders
Chegwyn, who proposed
the new changes to the
Dog Orders
The Liberal Democrats have inflicted an astonishing and humiliating defeat on Gordon Brown's
government and won a crucial House of Commons vote in their campaign to allow Gurkhas
the right to stay in the UK.
27 Labour MPs joined Liberal Democrats, Conservatives and others to inflict the Government's first defeat
on an opposition day motion since the 1970s. The Lib Dems argued that Gurkhas who have fought for
Britain but who left the army before 1997 should have the same residency rights as those discharged after
this date.
Chris Huhne, Lib Dem Shadow Home Secretary, criticised the Government for its decision to discriminate
against some Gurkhas, arguing that it had led to "ridiculous and shameful anomalies" - including a case
where a holder of the Victoria Cross had been refused residency in Britain because of "inadequate ties to
the United Kingdom".
"Are we to say that people who are prepared to fight and die for our country are not good enough
to live in it? This debate is not just about the Gurkhas. It is about the sort of people we are. The
House must today find the generosity of spirit to repay in the small way that we can, the enormous
debt of gratitude that we owe to the Gurkhas," he added.
government and won a crucial House of Commons vote in their campaign to allow Gurkhas
the right to stay in the UK.
27 Labour MPs joined Liberal Democrats, Conservatives and others to inflict the Government's first defeat
on an opposition day motion since the 1970s. The Lib Dems argued that Gurkhas who have fought for
Britain but who left the army before 1997 should have the same residency rights as those discharged after
this date.
Chris Huhne, Lib Dem Shadow Home Secretary, criticised the Government for its decision to discriminate
against some Gurkhas, arguing that it had led to "ridiculous and shameful anomalies" -
the United Kingdom".
"Are we to say that people who are prepared to fight and die for our country are not good enough
to live in it? This debate is not just about the Gurkhas. It is about the sort of people we are. The
House must today find the generosity of spirit to repay in the small way that we can, the enormous
debt of gratitude that we owe to the Gurkhas," he added.
VICTORY FOR
THE GURKHAS!
THE GURKHAS!
Explosion Saved!
Future Secured at NO COST to taxpayer
Councillor Peter Chegwyn, who led the
fight to find a way to save Explosion
fight to find a way to save Explosion
Lib Dems succeed where Tories failed
SLEAZE
Lib Dems demand ACTION
on MPs' expenses NOW
on MPs' expenses NOW
The Liberal Democrats have demanded an END to the scandalous expenses claims made by a
number of MPs.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has written to the Prime Minister and to Tory Leader David Cameron
demanding urgent reform to the current system of pay and allowances which mean politicians such
as Gosport MP Peter Viggers take home as much as £200,000 a year.
In his letter to Gordon Brown he expresses his opposition to the prime minister's plans for a daily
attendance allowance, and adds: "MPs should not be able to profit from the sale of properties
they have bought on the back of subsidies from the taxpayer". He reiterated his own view that
"we should simply stop MPs from buying properties altogether", adding: "MPs should not be
able to make profits by using taxpayers money to make investments in the property market."
Documents from the House of Commons show Gosport's MP Sir Peter Viggers has taken home
almost £1 million in wages, expenses and allowances over the last 5 years.
number of MPs.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has written to the Prime Minister and to Tory Leader David Cameron
demanding urgent reform to the current system of pay and allowances which mean politicians such
as Gosport MP Peter Viggers take home as much as £200,000 a year.
In his letter to Gordon Brown he expresses his opposition to the prime minister's plans for a daily
attendance allowance, and adds: "MPs should not be able to profit from the sale of properties
they have bought on the back of subsidies from the taxpayer". He reiterated his own view that
"we should simply stop MPs from buying properties altogether", adding: "MPs should not be
able to make profits by using taxpayers money to make investments in the property market."
Documents from the House of Commons show Gosport's MP Sir Peter Viggers has taken home
almost £1 million in wages, expenses and allowances over the last 5 years.
High St Market gets
new lease of life
new lease of life
Gosport's High Street market is to get a welcome boost after the Liberal Democrats pushed through
a take-over by the Council from failed operators Hughmark.
The popular twice-weekly market suffered a massive blow when the previous Conservative council
imposed car parking charges in the town centre, leading to a decline in the number of stalls and a fall
in visitor numbers. The Liberal Democrats have outlined a plan to reverse the decline by bringing
in new stalls and promoting the market throughout the region.
a take-
The popular twice-
in visitor numbers. The Liberal Democrats have outlined a plan to reverse the decline by bringing
in new stalls and promoting the market throughout the region.
closed doors and THREW OUT
the proposal which would have
given Gosport the best sports
and leisure centre on the South
Coast.
Instead, the Conservatives have
opted for a much smaller project
which will cost taxpayers more!
the proposal which would have
given Gosport the best sports
and leisure centre on the South
Coast.
Instead, the Conservatives have
opted for a much smaller project
which will cost taxpayers more!