|
East Hampshire District Council Councillor for the Ward of Grayshott
Email: Fcowper@aol.com Posted 22nd September 2006
The launch of this society is one of the most exciting new initiatives to happen in Grayshott for quite a while. It's a fact that many towns and villages who value their heritage and environment, as we do, have a Society comprised of volunteers who run projects, events, educational activities and lobby for conservation. I think we are a little overdue for such a society in Grayshott. The committee running the Grayshott Society are very enthusiastic and I understand that the initial level of interest from the village has been excellent. Together with the Grayshott Village Archive and our other clubs, societies and the Parish Council, I am sure we have marshalled enough resources to hang on the all that is good about our heritage and offer all concerned residents the chance to take part and really influence the shape of the village in the future. If you're unsure how to get in touch with the organisers just drop me a line or look elsewhere on www.grayshott.com for their email addresses. The Guildford and Waverley Primary Care Trust have announced the closure of The Clinic in School Road. This deeply regrettable action is beyond my ability to influence as the NHS, across the nation, becomes increasingly unaccountable. Thank goodness for the wonderful Doctors and Nurses who work with immense skill for crazy hours and inadequate pay. Some residents of Grayshott may recall that the land on which the Clinic is built was donated free by our predecessors. Unfortunately with the various changes over the years, the PCT has acquired the freehold of the land which seems to be unfettered. When I contacted them to discuss the evident justice in returning the land to the community that willingly donated it for free, I was told that it was most likely to be sold to a property developer for a profit that was desperately needed by the NHS. I don't doubt the NHS needs money but the folk that gave this land in the first place rather hoped it would remain as a healthcare facility, of course. I am attempting to persuade the PCT to compromise and make the land available for more affordable housing in the style of houses and bungalows. We have a large waiting list in Grayshott for affordable homes, including families who would benefit from this type of development. There is no need for a development such as this to be negative to neighbours. If it goes ahead, the families would almost certainly be those with a very strong connection to Grayshott and the building style would be indistinguishable from private sector housing. There is no truth whatever in the rumour that Philips House is being relocated to the site of the Clinic. The Tree I was terribly upset to be told that the Beech tree in front of Wayside, (near to Tesco), has to be removed. Some of you know I am active in encouraging tree preservation orders and I believe the natural foliage we see each day is one of the defining features of the village, (see March's Parish Scene). I have hammered away on this for a long time and there is no alternative view other than the tree is infected with Honey Fungus and could fall down quite soon. Since the notice went up many locals have complained to me and I have revisited the issues in full on two further occasions and each time the answer is the same. I have a detailed report from the EHDC tree officer which I can email to you if you are interested. Just to get it clear what is happening and who is doing what, the parties are as follows. The problem was first noticed by the Parish Council. The tree is actually on private land in front of Wayside. I know it looks like the pathway but it is actually owned by the property company who own Wayside and of course there is a public right of way across it. The Parish Council asked the owners to remove it for safety reasons. The tree is protected and so for the property company to remove it they have to have the permission of the District Council. On overwhelming technical advice I have agreed with this course of action. A new tree of the same species will be planted when the worst of the Honey Fungus has been eradicated from that spot. Uneven Paving Slabs While I'm on the subject of Wayside, I was pleased to see that the uneven and broken paving slabs have been replaced with Tarmac and the surface is much safer. That was a six month project would you believe, so I'm delighted it's completed. I have referred two highway matters to Cllr. Sam James, our County Councillor. These are the vehicle obstructions in Whitmore Vale Road near School Road and also the road surface in Hill Road from Fiveways to the Social Club. I hope to attend the site visit on both of these matters with the County Council and Parish Council very shortly and I will monitor progress thereafter of course. Any comments on either of these are welcomed as usual. Grayshott Primary School I was lucky enough to be invited to the opening of the new Community Room at the school. The District Council's involvement has been to grant £15,000 towards the cost of the computers that will be installed on the wireless network in the Community Room ready for all those Silver Surfer courses when the children are not using them! The opening ceremony was a real treat. The children were just wonderful and headmaster Jon Hills was an inspiration, complete with Bob the Builder trucks and the leaves for the Achievement Tree. The Diocesan representative was one of the best public speakers I have heard and engaged with the children very effectively. The prayers were taken by Susan Wing who smiled and inspired her way throughout, as usual. A real community event, just what Grayshott is all about. Concerts in Grayshott Stop Press! I'm pleased to say that EHDC granted £2,000 towards Concerts in Grayshott this week, (Tuesday 19th September), to assist with the planned opera. Opera is immensely expensive to put on and without grant support the ticket prices would have beyond the means of many residents. The Concerts in Grayshott organisation wanted this event to be accessible to all and the grant will help immensely to secure that goal. Travellers Sites Under new legislation, councils like EHDC will lose their right to move on illegal settlements unless they have nominated a short stay site for travellers. The second consultation meeting on this issue took place in Grayshott but I have had to postpone the remaining two because the key experts we needed to answer questions failed to turn up for the second meting in a row! When I have this sorted out we will continue with the consultation. I am open to the suggestion that we revisit Grayshott and Horndean, (the first two), who did not get the benefit of this expert team. I also want to make it clear to everyone in Grayshott that the Council will not be pushed into making any hasty decisions and that this extremely difficult decision will be gone through time and time again if that is what is needed to get it right. As your ward councillor you will know that I do stand up for this village at all times. I realise this matter worries people but I promise I will be fully involved at all stages, not just as your Councillor but also as the Leader of the Council. Let me know if you have any worries on this and I'll do my best to explain. However we are many months away from sharing lists of possible sites with anyone. and finally... As usual, if you have comments, agree or disagree with me, please contact me on 01428-609858 or on Fcowper@aol.com Best wishes, |
