There is no doubt of the need for a more younger, and diverse representative democracy in our country.  I therefore welcome the LGA's campaign.  See more details at www.local.gov.uk/be-a-councillor.  If you're interested in becoming a councillor locally, feel free to contact me.

East Dorset News is currently being delivered across Ferndown.  It details what EDDC are doing, and all residents should be aware.  If you live in Central Ferndown and are not receiving this publication, please do let me know.

Just to make my position clear.  I think the Core Strategy is a good, well presented document.  I am a Ward Cllr for Ferndown and thus my focus is on Ferndown residents.  I am pushing the concerns I have to ensure the best possible deal for Ferndown residents, and I will address all Ferndown central residents' concerns as they let me know them.  Whilst the Leader may answer queries on behalf of the council, it is not my intention to answer queries from residents not in my ward.  That is for the appropriate Ward Cllr to do. I remain interested in all resident's views where received, and I will make a rational decision on the Strategy when it is time to do so.  Until then, I will concentarte on the Ferndown issues and support my electorate with their concerns.

I hope all residents take the opportunity to get involved in the consultation.  It is important we get a balanced view, and not just hear the voices of the vocal few, against the majority who are quiet.  The consultation takes place from 2nd April until 25th June.

If you believe Government and Parliament acted anti-democratically to prevent an EU Referendum, you may be interested in the People's Pledge website - believe in real democracy, take part at http://www.peoplespledge.org/

I support the idea of permanently moving the clocks an hour forward as suggested in the Daylight Saving Bill.  I believe there are economic benefits, and potentially safety benefits also?  It has been running through Parliament, and calls on the government to review the costs and benefits of putting clocks forward, resulting in lighter evenings every day of the year.  Despite widespread support, it appears that the Bill is now unlikely to proceed further due to lack of parliamentary time, after an alliance of some Conservatives with SNP colleagues - yes - filibustered and obstructed progress to the Bill, talking it out of time.  Is this a way to run a democracy, whatever the rights and wrongs of the issue?  What is for sure is that the thing not being considered are the views of residents and businesses.

Enjoyed working with fellow town councillors outside Sainsbury's yesterday handing out publicity fliers for the meeting at the Barrington Centre form 7pm on 31st January.  We're clear that Ferndown District Councillors will attend the meeting to listen to Ferndown residents on their views of the Uddens and Pompey's Lane propsoed sites.  I have been contacted by residnets concerned that the COunty Council Committee has already decided on the Uddens site.  To do this within the consultation period is nothing less than disrespectful to residents, frankly.  I shall start work to support residents by contact Fendown County Cllrs, and the Chairman of that Committee.  Do come along to the meetign at the end of the month.

Pre-submission document published tomorrow.  Meeting at the Barrington Centre on 1st February where the public can give the council their views.  Get involved, or accept your fate!

I love this Campaign to tidy up neglected public space.  Join in!  See more at http://www.guerrillagardening.org/index.html

_ Normal 0 false false false EN-GB X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";} Dorset residents can now recycle their unwanted small electrical items more easily at new recycling banks.  In a joint project, Bournemouth Borough Council, the Dorset Waste Partnership, Borough of Poole and W&S Recycling Ltd, have worked together to introduce these recycling banks to help residents dispose of their unwanted small electrical items in an environmentally friendly way.  Goods classed as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) include small kitchen appliances, mobiles phones, ICT equipment, lamps, electric tools and entertainment gadgets such as games consoles and music equipment - anything which needs electricity to fulfill their main function.

 The banks can be found at:

·         B&Q car park lower deck, Castlepoint

·         Littledown Centre, Chaseside

·         Bypass car park (next to Waitrose), Christchurch

·        Allenview car park, Wimborne

Residents can also bring any unwanted, good quality electrical items, such as kettles and toasters, to local reuse centres such as Dorset Reclaim. A full list of centres can be found at www.dorsetforyou.com/furniturereusegroups

Items dropped at the banks must be no more than 60cm x 45cm x 35cm in size. Anything larger will need to be taken to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre as leaving items outside the banks can lead to a prosecution for flytipping.

 

For more information about WEEE banks and the types of equipment that can be recycled, go to

 www.dorsetforyou.com/recycling



 

The government is to review the formula it uses to decide how much money local authorities receive to provide rural services.  The pledge is contained in the government's response to a consultation on proposals for councils to keep a share of business rates rather than paying them to Whitehall.  Published today, the response has been welcomed by the Rural Services Network, which has long campaigned on behalf of rural local authorities for a fairer funding deal from central government.  The document says the government will consider limited technical adjustments to the relative need formulae to determine funding for rural services and concessionary travel.  Let us see if this translates to any real benefits for East Dorset residents?