Recycling centres are one of the key ways we can all contribute to reducing waste and energy use, but the Tory County Council often sees them as targets for budget cutting.

Help keep them open, spare a few minutes for our survey. https://t.co/69xLyklnCj

Facebook

Fareham Liberal Democrats

News and views from and about Liberal Democrats in Fareham working in the community and through elected bodies to advance the Liberal Democrat vision set out below.

Fareham Liberal Democrats2 weeks ago

Environmental NEWSFLUSH: Brexit Bumshell
Just as Southern Water is fined for past failures https://tinyurl.com/kwavd3c3 in the matter of sewage discharges into our waters, the government’s latest Regulatory Position Statement faces the inevitable reality. The ‘proverbial’ has hit the fan.
Because of ‘the UK’s new relationship with the EU’, the Environment Agency notes that, ‘You may not be able to comply with your permit if you cannot get the chemicals you use to treat the effluent you discharge’. The Agency is therefore issuing a waiver, allowing companies to ‘discharge effluent without meeting the conditions in your permit’.
According to Bloomberg, reporting in New York, the shortage of ferric sulphate at Wastewater treatment works stems from post-Brexit driver shortages exacerbated by Covid19.
The Environment Agency, no doubt keen to avoid further criticism, has asked that Water companies now prioritise their dwindling stocks for use at treatment works where untreated sewerage discharges would cause the most damage.

The sorry saga of untreated sewage dumped in the Solent came to a head this week in the Canterbury Crown Court. Southern Water had pleaded guilty to 71 violations over 6 years – including 8,400 illegal discharges - with the cover ups sanctioned at a senior level. Some will claim that this is an

5 View on Facebook

Fareham Liberal Democrats3 weeks ago

Council ‘Call in’ meeting of executive member decision No 2291 – Portchester car parks Traffic Regulation order.

At 6.00p.m. on Wednesday 18th August 2021, there was a council meeting of the Health and Public Protection Scrutiny Panel, called in to determine whether or not to accept the decision to implement the charges, or to request that the executive member reconsiders the decision, giving reasons for such a request.

The “Call In” was requested because we, your Portchester East councillors, felt that five points had not been fully considered, these were, briefly,

Lack of publicity surrounding the public’s right to attend the decision,
The lack of fully considering the effect on the long-standing Portchester Gala and the use of the car parking areas.
The lack of exploring alternative revenue from higher coach charges.
Why 3- or 6- month season tickets could not be considered and why these should incur increased costs.
Gave no consideration to volunteers who will have to pay to continue volunteering for St. Mary’s Church, the Sailing Club and the scouts, amongst others.
We have been actively informing you about this meeting and were very pleased to see there were 12 deputations from members of the community and the public present. Six were written submissions and six spoken in person. They included representatives of the Portchester Community Association, St. Mary’s Church and the Sailing club, along with residents from Castle street and the local area.

It is a credit to Portchester that there are so many people who are concerned enough to speak or write about how strongly they all feel about their environment, history, community and care. They spoke about genuine concerns for people who will find the car parking charges hard to pay and the poorer quality of life which will result for local residents.

The Chairman, Vice Chairman and a trustee of P.C.A. all spoke about how the Gala would not be financially viable if there was no contribution from the funfair which takes place on the large car park, and that the Christmas lights in Portchester rely on fundraising at the Gala. (No Gala, No Christmas Tree??) They need six months planning time to prepare for next years event, so it is critical that the council engage in discussions about the matter as soon as possible.

The Church treasurer spoke about the Church tea room, a small business enterprise which relies on volunteers, all of whom will now have to pay to help out, or walk a considerable distance to support St. Mary’s.

A sailing club representative explained difficulties for members who work on their boats in different seasons and will incur yearly costs, but only need 3 or 6 month passes. The additional costs may well discourage new and long-time members.

Councillor Roger Price, speaking on behalf of all Portchester East Councillors, covered many of these issues in much greater detail. Councillor Jean Kelly agreed with all the points which he raised and hoped that common sense would prevail in resolving ongoing problems. Councillor Gerry Kelly was unable to take part in the debate because he is vice chairman of Portchester Community Association. He spoke in support of the Gala being a unique historical event, which needs council support and goodwill in order to continue.

Councillor Price pointed out that there was much concern over the present parking in Castle Street, which is a long cul-de sac and has ongoing problems, particularly for emergency vehicles. If the fees come in then the issues in Castle street and the surrounding area will only get worse.

We had concern about the lack of openness in the council’s dealings with English Heritage and there was no consideration or offer of concessions to the Church or the sailing club, who will both be badly effected by the additional costs to their members.

This is a conservation area. Historic England have not been informed by the Borough Council but permission may well be required to dig in the car park area for the new machines and permission may well be required from the Borough Council Planning department before this takes place.

The voting to accept the decision and implement the charges was passed.

Three voted for the motion, two against and one abstention.

Meeting closed after 2 hours 10 minutes.

We carry on!

Roger, Gerry and Jean.

(Gerry and I wonder if there is another King somewhere under our Castle Car Park? -It happened in Leicester didn’t it??) Councillors Gerry and Jean Kelly

https://farehamlibdems.org.uk/2021/09/05/portchester-car-parks-traffic-regulation-order/

4 View on Facebook

Fareham Liberal Democrats1 month ago

Fareham's health and public protection committee has a special meeting on Wednesday at the insistence of Lib Dem councillors, to review proposals for parking charges at Portchester Castle.
If you want to make a deputation to the committee, deadline is noon today, Monday August 16.

2 View on Facebook

Fareham Liberal Democrats2 months ago

First Bus is bidding for government funding for a new fleet of electric buses to run on routes in Portsmouth, Fareham and Gosport. We urge Fareham Council to support the bid, which would make a big contribution to reducing Fareham's carbon footprint and improving air quality. https://tinyurl.com/33redzdu

THE future of public transport in Portsmouth and Hampshire lies in fully-electric transport, subject to new government funding.

4 View on Facebook

Fareham Liberal Democrats2 months ago

There are thousands of things to better spend £283 Million on in this country before an overblown vanity project.

The Prime Minister should scrap this ego-booster and use the money on getting this country back on its feet as he repeatedly promises to do.

4 View on Facebook

Fareham Liberal Democrats2 months ago

Lib Dem councillors have helped Portchester residents to save a valued open space from being spoiled by a phone mast which can easily be installed in a less intrusive spot. https://tinyurl.com/5byztmb6

TELECOM company Three has scrapped plans to build a 18-metre tall mast in the centre of a Portchester community green after a ‘flood’ of complaints.

2 View on Facebook

Tips: Use it or lose it

Leave a Comment Cancel reply