Dear Villagers,

Welcome to my latest update of my web page on Grayshott.com, posted week beginning 9th. August, exactly as promised. I'll post the next one during the week beginning 20th. September.

This week, by coincidence, I'm writing copy for the Grayshott Parish Scene and also for the Conservative Party's In Touch newsletter. As a result, some repetition is inevitable but at least plenty of people should get the message! When you remember that I was in the public meeting in the Village Hall on the A3 on July 16th. and I'll be in the Government and Grayshott meeting on September 3rd. I really hope that no-one can complain that they only ever hear of me when it's election time!!

Meet All Your Elected Representatives on September 3rd!

What could be more exciting! Although some may reply "watching paint dry", the fact is that very few communities in the UK run an event like this, where your local representatives on the Parish Council, District Council, County Council and in Parliament all get together in one place, on one evening, to answer any question you want to put to them.

The event is "Government and Grayshott" and it will be held in the Village Hall on Friday 3rd. September at 7.30 pm. The panel will comprise Barry Penny, (Parish Council), in the Chair, me, (District Council), Cllr. John Filer, (County Council) and James Arbuthnot, our M.P. If anyone has questions about the EU, following my European Election campaign, I think I can still remember enough to have a stab at answering those as well.

We held this event for the first time two years ago and I feel that holding it every two years is about right. The 2002 meeting was very successful indeed and I do hope you'll come along to make this year's event even more successful.

The evening is open to everyone. Although it is organised by Grayshott Conservatives, no money for political funds will be sought at any time and nobody is going to try and put forward any political persuasion at all, unless the speakers choose to do so in their answers. If we do and you're not a Conservative, please feel encouraged to have a potshot back at us!! Seriously, the idea comes from one of my well known philosophies that elected representatives must make themselves accountable more often that once every four years at the election, so I look forward to seeing a big audience that evening.

A tale of Two Supermarkets

One of Grayshott's strengths is the excellence of its shopping centre. This is one of the features that attracts people here and props up our house prices. However our two Supermarkets have been causing a few problems lately.

As I mentioned in my July update, we have having problems with Tesco's delivery lorries which are much larger than those used by One Stop. When the Council, (including me), granted Tesco planning permission for the shop features they wanted, Tesco undertook to deliver at the rear of the store behind Grove House. I remember one Council officer telling me that Tesco had been warned to use smaller vehicles to ensure they could make the turn in. Unfortunately they have not complied with that promise at all. Together with the Parish Council I am now looking at enforcement action and possibly Police action in view of the severity of the obstructions caused daily.

It's a different story with the Co-op who caused some problems with their litter at the rear of the store in Avenue Road. First of all they made some useful voluntary improvements. Then, after I asked Environmental Health to pay them a visit, they made further improvements and now everyone seems satisfied. So much easier than the confrontational approach really and certainly, in my opinion, it makes the Co-op deserving of our custom.

Red Truck in Crossways Road

Well, it's gone. But then so, too, has his business. I doubt my nagging of Inspector Thorne at Whitehill Police Station had much to do with the final disappearance of this annoying vehicle, but I hope that the businessman concerned has managed to find more appropriate premises for his trade and particularly his lorry.

I hope that those residents with a legitimate "disabled" badge in their car will now find parking for the Post Office much more convenient.

Big Ugly White Truck in Rockdale

The saga drags on but always moves forwards. The District Council served the relevant statutory notice and now the period in which the owner can move his vehicle voluntarily has expired. This means that the Council will take possession of the lorry when they have an HGV removal vehicle available, they will sell the lorry and pursue the owner for any unrecovered costs of moving it. Expect it to disappear soon.

The A3 Debate

The meeting in Grayshott Village Hall on Friday, 16th. July was a huge success with over 100 residents attending. Joining me on the stage and, of course, the stars of the show, were the Rt. Hon. James Arbuthnot, M.P. and Shadow Secretary of State for Trade and also Jeremy Hunt, the Conservative Party Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for S.W. Surrey, (Virginia Bottomley's seat).

The objective was for James and Jeremy to hear our views and to use the discussion to determine if they would adopt a position on the issue. Both of them have told me how impressed they were with the quality of the meeting, particularly the way in which every single point was put clearly, factually and very persuasively. I said to several people afterwards that it really made me proud to represent this village and I hope to hear from both gentlemen next month about their considered reactions.

I must put in a word for Peter Hatch here. I know he edits this website and sees my copy before adding it to my page, but in all honesty I must say I am astonished at the work he is putting in on this A3 campaign. Speaking as the first STOAT Chairman I promise you this campaign could not be in better hands.

The committee are spending just about every available minute assembling the evidence, checking facts and working very well with the Highways Agency to ensure any obvious and simple differences can be eliminated before the Inquiry begins. I feel those of us who have concerns with the scheme really have a chance at this Inquiry as I see the various layers of the Highways Agency/National Trust argument coming slowly unpeeled, layer by layer, as Peter and his team assemble a great case for the barrister to argue on our behalf.

Finally, the position of the various local authorities is now clear following the additional EHDC debate. Both County Councils, Hampshire and Surrey, have declared full support to almost all aspects of the Highways Agency scheme and have failed to support the Grayshott concerns about the old A3 and the Hazel Grove Junction. Waverley Borough Council have declared a similar position. The only concession came from East Hampshire District Council who feel the old A3 should remain open for emergency use only and proposed that traffic calming measures should be implemented in Grayshott to moderate the effects of increased traffic volumes. However they supported the closure of the old A3 to local traffic and also supported the position of the Hazel Grove Junction.

Obviously I'm very disappointed with the position of Hampshire County Council, especially as they decided their position without any officer or Councillor consulting us. EHDC have at least recognised our concerns and to be fair they gave us every opportunity to put our case, but I'm afraid I don't feel their suggestions go far enough. I tried very hard to strengthen EHDC's position, but I have found that my position as a Councillor is under threat because of the position I have taken.

Fireworks

There are now new laws on the statute book concerning the lateness and the loudness of firework displays. Please comply with them. If you are adversely affected by an inconsiderate neighbour, contact the District Council's Environmental Health Dept., with the neighbour's address.

Personal Notes

I have spent most of the last month on holiday so news has been a little light. Anyway, it's the silly season, so I hope for a more substantial update next time!

Contact

Remember you can contact me via email on: Fcowper@aol.com or by 'phone on 01428-609858,

Ferris Cowper
EHDC Councillor for the ward of Grayshott