CONSERVATIVES – Over two decades of outstanding civic service

SARISBURYIn & WHITELEYTouch – Spring 2021 Wise Tories had cash jab ready

SIDEto EFFECTS ward from Covid-19 off Covid tax hike To ’s precept will be added played havoc with Fareham’s financ- the much larger County es, leading to the worst budgetary Council precept and that from the Po- situation in two decades and threat lice & Crime Commissioner and Fire & of a council tax hike. Rescue Service. But the wise Conservative adminis- Overall income from council tax of tration had an antidote ready for rainy £7.5m represents just 15% of the bud- days – and pandemics. get to deliver all services costing over Prudent investments and careful han- £48m. Other income is realised from dling of the coffers had built up a ‘vac- fees and charges such as rents arising cine’ of reserves, so £2m was available from the Council’s £64m commercial to inject into the budget to relieve the property portfolio, car parking charges, pain in taxpayers’ pockets. hire of sports pitches etc. Fareham Borough Council’s tax increase for Fareham’s 44,000 There is also a capital programme over the next 5 years of £86m. homes is just 1p per day and the result for the average home stays Subject to necessary viability studies, we plan to invest: at less than £3 per week for all Council services. •£10m for building new council houses “This remains almost the lowest in the country,” said Council •£15m for improving existing council houses Leader Seán Woodward, recalling that in 1999 Conservatives in- •£6.5m for acquiring new council houses herited a huge deficit from the previous administration. •£12m for a new arts and entertainment facility – Fareham Live ‘Toughest by far’ •£7m investment in improving Fareham’s two leisure centres “Now we are in a similar situation. This is the 22nd budget that I have presented to the Council and it was the toughest by far. •£0.5m for playground improvements “The economy of this country has been decimated by the Co- •£2.5m for disabled adaptation grants vid-19 pandemic and Fareham Borough Council, like every family •£10m for investment in Solent Airport @ Daedalus and business, has not been immune to the turbulence. including new buildings for businesses and jobs “Thankfully, due to Conservatives’ financial prudence that we •£6m for car parking improvements across the Borough have practised over two decades, we have been able to weather Councillor Woodward added: “I am grateful to our residents the financial hurricane. for stepping up during these tough times to help friends, “The Council has paid over £45m to businesses in the Borough neighbours and strangers. Our Borough is one amazing com- for Covid hardship by way of grants and business rate reliefs.” munity.” Fareham planning nightmare: ‘Events out of our control’ PLANNERS are tearing their hair out again, reverting from 2018 to 2014 figures housing completions over the last 3 years, after another Whitehall U-turn sent for estimating housing growth. but fewer houses have been completed the housing element of the current Councillor Martin said: “Consequently, against the Government’s requirements. Fareham Draft Local Plan to the shred- Fareham’s annual housing need has been Government added 20% to the 5-year der. confirmed as 508 homes per year, as op- housing targets and required preparation Executive Member for Planning and De- posed to 403 homes per year that the of a Housing Delivery Action Plan. velopment Simon Martin said: “We are Publication Local Plan was based upon. The Council couldn’t meet the target being penalised by events out of our con- “We must now revisit the housing re- due to being unable to issue planning con- trol.” quirement, amendments will need to be sents for 2 years due to the impact of ni- The Plan went out for consultation just put forward and also to consider the re- trates on the Solent. Simon Martin added: before Christmas after the Council ap- sponses received from the consultation. “We are lobbying Government hard to proved an earlier Government change- “Additional sites required to deliver the ensure they support us. Despite our best around allowing a lower number of houses. higher number of houses will be included efforts to issue planning permissions and Two days before the consultation closed, in an amended version of the Local Plan.” proceed with the Local Plan, we are being the Government moved the goal posts Fareham has to submit annual figures on penalised by events out of our control.” Almost ’s lowest district council tax – thanks to CONSERVATIVES 2 InTouch , WHITELEY, SWANWICK, & ARE SAFEST IN CONSERVATIVE HANDS InTouch 3 It’s ding dong merrily NEWS ROUND New owner for listed mansion Solution to prevent village hall flooding A BUYER has been Councillor Seán Wood- URGENT work will be car- confident that this work will on high as church clock found for listed Cold- ward persuaded the ried out to prevent Burridge prevent flooding from the wa- tells the time once more east Mansion. Council to locally list it. Village Hall from flooding. ter that seeps under the doors It had been refur- He said: “ It is terribly It’s been happening for the during heavy rain.” IT HAD not bished and converted sad that the owners fell past two years due to poor InTouch Team Leader Joanne donged for over into 37 apartments and into administration and drainage and the layout of the Bull (pictured) said: “Burridge a year and it was a function venue which that the hard working entrances. Community Association trust- high time to get opened in 2017, but staff lost their jobs. The Borough Council has ees work hard to run the hall it ticking again. Praise for on-line teaching sadly went into adminis- “I very much hope the approved a proposal to use for the local community. Locals missed Teachers and parents say the quality of re- tration in 2019 and had new owners will move curbing to deflect surface water run-off from “I really hope these works remove the the clock chiming mote learning at Sarisbury Junior School to be repaired after a flood. to trade again and open this impres- the car park. worry of arriving to find the hall flooded from the tower at during lockdown has been very positive. After its original closure in 1996, sive community facility.” Councillor Seán Woodward said: “We are after heavy rain.” St Paul’s Church in The Department for Education placed Sarisbury Green. increasing expectations to deliver high Now, thanks to a quality curricula and online teaching for all £2,000 grant from children working at home. Seán tastes victory after 30-year battle for link route County Councillor InTouch Team Leader Joanne Bull said: YEARS of frustration and delays ended with the The link route was brought forward early in the de- Seán Woodward’s “What has been special with Sarisbury Ju- full opening of Bluebell Way to Curbridge, pro- velopment after a grant of public money from the So- community budget nior School has been their daily ‘Azoom- viding a northerly access to Whiteley. lent Local Enterprise Partnership, strongly supported and a matching sum from the Borough Council, bly’ – assembly in a different format. County Councillor Seán Woodward campaigned by Councillor Woodward. it’s going like clockwork again. “Wherever children are learning it has for additional northerly exits from Whiteley for 30 It provides the access to Cornerstone Church of The cash paid for the clock face and mecha- been a way of bringing them all together years and is delighted. England (Voluntary Aided) School which will open in nism to be refurbished. with a real sense of closeness.” He said: “Bluebell Way is helpful in providing north- its new home in September. Seán Woodward, pictured at the church door erly access and egress for Whiteley. Of even more There is still work to do on the road which remains with the Rev Sandy Matheson, said the Council Shopping centre layout changes help will be the completion of Whiteley Way to Cur- private until it is adopted by HCC and that won’t and church had worked together to go ahead Major changes are in the pipeline for Locks bridge which should help reduce traffic flows through happen until it’s completed. with the project for one of the most important Heath Shopping Centre. Burridge, Swanwick and . Following sales of the first homes in North of listed buildings in the conservation area. Owners Newriver Retail have submitted “ Work is under way to link Whiteley Way to the Whiteley and opening of Bluebell Way, there will be an application to reconfigure the highway A3051 north of Curbridge by 2022. When this hap- Mission almost accomplished: Seán Woodward views the new link. several bus service improvements. Bid to prevent tree infrastructure, which seeks to: pens, I will be pressing the County Council to Services between Whiteley, Botley and Swanwick disease spread •Restructure Centre Way access road, downgrade and traffic calm Botley Road through Park secondary school built in Whiteley.” Stations, Segensworth and Fareham will operate hourly ASH DIEBACK disease is spreading through bus lane and shopping centre car park Gate and Burridge and to designate Whiteley Way as Pupil numbers driving the need for a Whiteley and later half-hourly Monday to Saturday. It is intended Western Wards woodlands. layout to improve circulation the A3051. Secondary School show that it will be needed by that the service will extend to Hedge End and Sundays Holly Hill Woodland Park and Whiteley have •Remove Centre Way loop between the “Next we need to see Whiteley Way completed and a September 2026. will be added. been affected, so has Wicor Copse, Portchester redundant PFS and the bus lane where 65 trees have to be felled. •Change existing bus lane into a two- Fareham Council started taking urgent mea- way road connecting to Centre Way and sures in February to halt the spread. use as main access route for all vehicles £10,000 grants for good causes Parents’ school path plea It’s caused by a fungus whose symptoms range •Provide a roundabout junction on Cen- ALL SMILES, and •Whiteley Wanderers U11 Argonauts kit £400 CORNERSTONE Church of from leaf and branch dieback to the death of the tre Way to access main car parks no wonder. •Acts Of Kindness Community (Solent) vulnerable England (Voluntary Aided) tree. •Build a new bus turning facility on people support £2,000 Primary School will open in InTouch Team Leader Joanne Bull said a high Centre Way at western end of shopping Swim Squad has •Swanwick Lions’ Club Christmas Sleigh £600 its new location, ultimately proportion of ash trees would die once infected, centre; just received £400 •Hampshire Search & Rescue Ferno scoop stretcher with spaces for 630 pupils, in although a few might survive due to genetic fac- •Include additional planting within the towards pool £725 September. tors giving them resistance. car park, add extra cycle parking spaces bookings. •Sarisbury Green Community Centre improvements Parents contacted Seán Wood- Infected trees lose water content, so younger •Construct a decked car park above It was one of the grants County Councillor Seán £800 ward (pictured with InTouch trees die more quickly than mature ones. existing staff parking area to serve future Woodward made from his £10,000 community budget •Ripple Suicide Prevention development of online Team Leader Joanne Bull) about the length of the journey by road She said: “Works to remove affected ash trees development for Sarisbury Division. Other organisations received search suicide prevention tool £500 from Dickens Drive area where there is a muddy footpath linking identified in the summer began last month when grants as follow: •Home-Start Hampshire toys and equipment for new the rear of Dumas Drive towards the school. He asked HCC to the trees were dormant and the environmental Branch surgery hope? •St Paul’s, Sarisbury Green clock refurbishment £2,000 children’s support group £575 ensure the path is surfaced ready for the opening. impact would be as limited as possible. Councillor Seán Woodward quizzed the “In many areas such as woodlands and semi- managing director of our local Clinical natural greenways natural regeneration will be Commissioning Groups, Sara Tiller, on COUNCILLOR FOR COME AND JOIN US GOODBYE TO JON BUTTS If you support Conservative principles and encouraged, but in parks and open spaces trees the lack of standalone GP surgery SARISBURY would like to vote to select your Council will be replaced the following winter.” provision for the development North SARISBURY Councillor Jon Butts has thanked constituents for their support after Seán Woodward and Parliamentary candidates, to attend Embrittlement in the wood has implications of Whiteley. deciding not to seek re-election in May. 8 Persian Drive social and political events or help us by deliv- for arborists who cannot use conventional rope The existing Whiteley Surgery cur- He said: “Of my four years’ service, I will remember most the dedication and spirit of the community group volunteers I have worked with, and assisted where Whiteley PO15 7BJ ering InTouch, why not join Sarisbury Branch access techniques, so work on ash trees will in- rently has to serve Whiteley and Locks possible. They make a real difference to the lives of people and families in our Tel: 01489 881030 of Fareham Conservative Association? Call variably involve the use of mobile elevated work Heath patients. area. Their ongoing commitment ‘behind the scenes’ often goes unseen, so I have Email: sean.woodward@hants. Joanne Bull on 07956 081 239 or email platforms. She agreed that some kind of branch been keen to encourage wider appreciation and recognition of their work If you have any questions, please contact Fare- whenever possible.” Jon says he wants to make more use of his spare time. gov.uk [email protected] surgery in a community building on oc- ham Borough Council’s Tree Team - trees@ casions during the working week might Whether you voted for us or not, your Conservative councillors promise the highest standards of service fareham.gov.uk be worth investigating. WE SERVE YOU ALL to everyone in the community. Contact us any time and we’ll respond personally within 48 hours. 4 InTouch with Westminster Looking forward to a year of success and recovery I know that many people are strug- Suella gling with covid restrictions. However, I sincerely believe that 2021 will be a year of recovery and success for us. BRAVERMAN MP for Fareham With Brexit finally done, thisConservative Gov- BUILDING on my recent ernment fulfilled its major promise to the British visit to the Royal South people, securing a historic deal with the EU which Hants Hospital in South- takes back control of our borders, laws, money ampton to meet the team and trade restoring our political and economic behind the Hampshire Re- independence. search Hub, I am delighted We have also delivered one of the most com- that we as a nation have prehensive economic responses in the world to now passed the 15 million support jobs and businesses during the pandemic, vaccinations milestone. providing over £280bn in jobs support-including At the time of writing, the protecting 12 million jobs through the furlough UK was the first country in and self-employed schemes. the world to approve the Together, we are beating Covid. Pfizer/Biontec vaccine and Suella at the Hampshire Vaccination Research Please note that I am on maternity leave until is one of the global lead- Hub with Team Leader Professor Saul Faust and September following the birth of my daughter. My ers in its roll-out of the East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds. office remains fully functional and I continue to vaccine. also one of the leading Partnerships serve Fareham residents through my Proxy Vote in I know I speak for many people in the South East and the country, Parliament and representation to Ministers in the in Fareham in paying tribute to the issuing over 100,000 doses in one usual manner.’ front-line NHS staff and volun- week alone. Community First are providing a CONTACT SUELLA teers who have helped to vaccinate thousands of local people at sites safe, accessible and Covid-secure 14 East Street, Fareham PO16 0BN like Fareham Community Hospital, transport option for people in need. Tel: 01329 233573 Brook Lane Surgery, Portches- For more information see www. Email: [email protected] ter Practice and Village Pharmacy. cfirst.org.uk/transport/community- Facebook: fb.com/SuellaBraverman Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is transport-to-vaccinations. Win up to £25,000 on Fareham’s Community Lottery WANT TO to help good causes and 11 for Leisure and Community Councillor 26 be in with a chance of winning up to Sue Bell said: “I am pleased our Communi- Raising 47 £25,000? money for ty Lottery tickets are now available to buy good causes Then buy a ticket for Fareham’s new in Fareham and would like to thank One Community Community Lottery which is now live 14 for their efforts in setting it up. Win cash For more information or online with draws taking place every Sat- prizes up to to buy a ticket visit “ With 55 good causes registered to urday, having started on March 13. £25,000 www.farehamlottery.org.uk 8 benefit from the scheme, every ticket Tickets are on sale at £1 each, of which purchased will contribute to the fantastic 40p will go to one of 55 local charities “This scheme will help provide vital work they do across our Borough. that have registered to take part. support to good causes which have been “I sincerely hope that Fareham residents When you buy a ticket, you can choose hard hit by the pandemic and it’s lovely to will show their support now that tickets which charity you want to support. be able to offer a positive, simple way for are on sale.” Funding was awarded to set it up to them to increase their income and contin- Tickets can only be bought online, either One Community, whose Chief Executive, ue to support people in every generation at www.farehamlottery.co.uk or by visiting Jean Roberts-Jones, said it had been made from our local area.” Fareham Community Lottery facebook possible through hard work by volunteers. Fareham Council’s Executive Member page. The French connection powers into UK homes ELECTRICITY is flowing between France and ish homes. England as the massive sub-Channel project pow- “By importing low carbon electricity, they estimate ers up. that within one year, the project will prevent 1.2 mil- Interconnexion France-Angleterre 2 (IFA2) was lion tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere, tested successfully in December and has now moved equivalent to planting 50 million trees.” to a 90-day operational phase, said Councillor Seán The 127-mile connection from Normandy surfaces at Woodward (pictured). Monks Hill Beach south of Solent Airport at Daedalus “In this phase they can transfer low carbon electricity and goes on to a large converter station north east between the UK and France using IFA2’s full capacity of the airfield, from where 1/21 miles of underground of 1000 megawatts – enough to power a million Brit- cables link it to the National Grid at Chilling, Warsash. Website: www.farehamconservatives.org.uk Email: [email protected] Published by Sarisbury & Park Gate Conservatives,14 East Street, Fareham PO16 0BN. Printed by Cedar Group, Unit 3 Triton Centre, Premier Way, Abbey Park Industrial Estate, Romsey SO51 9DJ