Have you seen one near you?

It's possible that one of these stickers has appeared near you this morning.

As far as I understand it, it's been sometime since the requirements for plastic recycling specifically excluded things like meat trays, yoghurt pots and margarine tubs. But if habits take 3 weeks to form, they take at least 3 months to break. And so I'm sure, that even though a leaflet on this topic went to all Waverley residents in the past month or so, there will still be many stickers going out this morning and this coming week.

The bottom line is that we make (or save, depending on which way we look at it) money based on the quality of our recycling materials. So, if low grade plastics form an increasing percentage of the load, then it becomes less likely that the load can be used for recycling. Basically, no-one is going to buy it from us. It's the same with paper (shouldn't include brown envelope for example), but presently less of an issue.

So, whilst it looks draconion, it's probably the easiest way for the council to communicate the rules. In the end, we all wish for our council tax to be kept down, and maintaining quality in our recycling is one way of helping that happen.

Sigh...

At our next meeting about a Wrecclesham Village Design Statement we're hoping to hear from someone involved the very recent Frensham VDS, which was considered at the Executive meeting of 20th May.

Unfortunately, a bit of regulatory and legal disappointment has come our way, meaning that whilst the statement can be adopted by the council, it cannot yet be designated as a supplementary planning document (SPD), and thus automatically included in the due process of determining planning applications. Here's the explanation as given by Geraldine Molony of the Planning Department:

The legal implications are that the document will be a material consideration of the Council, pending the enactment of the new Planning Act, which it is anticipated will enable the document to be a Supplementary Planning Document without needing to be included in the Development Scheme. It is not in the Scheme at present so it cannot be Supplementary Planning Document as things stand at the moment. It had been hoped that the new Regulations, which have just come out, would have done away with this need to be in the Scheme, but that has not proved to be the case. We have to wait for the Act. Once the Act is in place (probably at the end of the year), then the document could be made a Supplementary Planning Document. Its interim status will be a material consideration of the Council when assessing planning applications.

Basically, it's frustrating, but not a showstopper. By the time we've completed the Wrecclesham VDS, the new planning act will be in force, and its adoption as a SPD will be straightforward.

Thought you'd like to know!

What's more important?

That's the question I'm asking myself when thinking about a planning application for the land behind 86 Boundstone Road (which I previously posted about on 29th May). It has permission to be used as a turfing business, but over many years this has morphed into a more generic use as a builders yard, thus serving to frustrate and annoy neighbours living in such an otherwise peaceful part of our ward.

In addition, it's designated as land beyond the greenbelt, (not quite greenbelt), which, under policy C2 of our local plan should not be developed... unless consideration is given only under 'special circumstances'. The fear is that if permission were to be granted, it would provide an example that could be pointed to by other similar applications in the future, and thus be the top of a slippery slope for such near-but-not-quite greenbelt land around the borough of Waverley.

However - and it's a big 'however' - the reality is that the surrounding properties are suffering because of the present use of the land. It's a bit of an eyesore, noisy, and used at unsociable hours. Heavy machinary, including cranes, are sometimes parked on the land, providing what can only be described as the antithesis of what would otherwise be an uninterrupted view of countryside, or sky, depending from where one is looking. And the access to this builder's yard / turf business? A small lane off Boundstone Road - an otherwise neighourly street with little heavy traffic.

So, that's my conundrum. I'm presently crafting an email to ask if the application could be brought before a planning committee for a decision. It's an important decision for many neighbours, and one that deserves a sounding in public I think, to air both sides of the argument, and see whether in open debate we can as councillors determine if a decision in favour would endanger the future direction of planning in the borough.

Planning Applications 2nd July 2008

There were no applications in the list today. I know there's a bit of a backlog at the moment though. Since the new infrastructure contributions were brought into effect it's taken it's toll on the time to get through each application.

Green Cone

I received my green cone today! Having ordered it just before I went to the US on business, I'd forgotten it was due to arrive, and so when popping home at lunchtime today it was great to see it waiting by the front door.

And it was a lot bigger that I had imagined! We should be able to get all our food waste in it no problem, and I have just the spot for it behind the shed. I'll post about it once it's up and running and I can give some more useful feedback. First I have to dig a hole for it, but I think I'll wait until this sweltering day has cooled down a bit.

It's not too late...

... to join the Wrecclesham Village Design Statement Group. I'm organising our next meeting, and we're presently aiming for 5.3 pm on one of the following dates:

15th, 16th, or 23rd July

Having received some really wonderful maps of the village from Jennie Falconer at the council offices, and with progress made on getting up to speed on the history of the village, it will be good to meet again and keep the momentum going.

The Beautiful Game

The Spanish game anyway.

I usually don't watch football, but tonight I sat with my brother-in-law and thoroughly enjoyed the Euro 2008 final. Well, thoroughly enjoyed the Spanish football anyway. They were passionate, determined and creative, and enjoyable to watch. I don't think I'm converted from baseball yet (see my Thursday post) as a great family event, but it was certainly gladitorial on parts of the pitch tonight, and baseball doesn't have that facet to its game.

What would be your policy?

Thankfully my flight landed roughly on time, so I managed to make it to Waverley Abbey House by 9.30 this morning. It's the final weekend of the Conservative Christian Fellowship Development Programme, on which each participant has to give a policy presentation about an area of their choice. It's designed to help them clarify their thinking, and work on their communication skills. Three of the policies we heard were about:

Mental Health
Aspergers Syndrome
Restorative Justice for Young Offenders

Hearing young aspiring politicians strive to make sense of their passions, their beliefs, and their aspirations, in the context of today's political and societal environment, is always a special time. For the third year running I'm struck by the fact that there are young people wishing to make a difference in our county: rather then detect the direction of the wind, they wish to change the wind itself.

Root, root, root

If baseball were a UK sport, I think I might be a season-ticket holder. In all honesty, I've never experienced a sports event so wholesome in its appeal, with so much fun, and passion. Last night I was at a Chicago Cubs game at perhaps the Holy Grail of US baseball grounds, Wrigley Field.

Whilst the national anthem isn't the hearty crowd event that it is in the UK, (a minor celebrity sings it instead), there are sing-a-longs: middle of the 7th innings there's a traditional song 'rooting' for the Chicago Cubs, and then if the Cubs win, there's a victory song.

And there are families everywhere. No partition of fans. A kind of party atmosphere. Hot dogs, beer, candy...

Perhaps for the first time, I properly caught the sense of community and shared passion that makes America the can-do country that it is. And that's a great place, with great people.

Planning Applications 25th June 2008

So, no new applications this week. Lots of emails in my Waverley inbox regarding Dunsfold Park and East Street, and revised dates for these decisions.

But, no new applications.

Trumped

I can't imagine that Waverley's planning committee has yet had such a famous face appear before it - that of Donald Trump. Seeing the Trump Tower of Chicago (offices, appartments, gym, hotel - $600+ a night!!!!) made me think of his recent appearances in Aberdeen in his attempts to gain permission to build a new golf resort, and has me wondering if he would be doing a better job of East Street that we've seen so far.

sheh-CAH-go

Being in the US for business this week means I get to read much better quality front pages on newspapers. I'm pretty eclectic in my daily browsing, but I think I can safely say that no matter which it is, the quality of reporting (accuracy, literacy) is consistently better, and the range of topics much more conducive to informed opinions.

Here's a sample of headlines from the New York Times today:

Obama Camp Closely Linked with Ethanol
In Algeria, a Tug of War for Young Minds
Mugabe's Rival Quits Runoff
New Outreach to Blacks as Border Patrol Grows
Agreements Are Elusive At Oil Talks

I don't know about you, but I hear people generally touting Americans as uninterested in things overseas. But I say that we would rarely find such a mix of articles on the front pages of our newspapers, even my natural home, The Daily ToryTelegraph. (Especially ones about issues out of the normal public eye - Algeria for instance.

Dispensing Justice

Thanks to my fellow councillor John Ward for alerting me to the challenges facing the Holly Tree Surgery on Boundstone Road. The peculiarities of licensing dispensaries is causing a major headache for them.

The surgery presently has a 'Dispensing Licence' which allows it to dispense medicines to its patients provided they live more than 1.6 kilometres (1 mile) from an actual Pharmacy. An application to open a pharmacy in Rowledge has been submitted by a much larger company and if granted, would mean that the Holly Tree Surgery would have to cease dispensing to virtually all its patients. Although sounding useful, this would be a serious inhibition to the surgery being able to server its patients in the most sensible and comprehensive way.

The surgery website has some great tips on how to write to the local Primary Care Support Services to oppose this application. Please consider writing soon. I will be.

Mick

We live near a small local shop. I'm all in favour of small local shops, but I'm absolutely not in favour of the litter caused the small local shop we live near.

It of course is true to say that it is the customers of the shop that drop the litter, and not the shop owners, managers or staff themselves (or at least I hope it's true). But that doesn't make the problem disappear, and I dispair at the regular appearance of our lane and nearby streets.

However, we have a local celebrity (in my mind anyway), in the shape of Mick. Frequently and regularly Mick clears the area using a litter pick, and copious black bags. The reason he doesn't have a barrow to assist him is that the one used in central Farnham was burned out by its departing owner (the litter-picker at the time), and so now Mick's barrow is in Farnha, not Wrecclesham.

In summary, Mick's a star, and a good bloke. Anyone in favour of a campaign for the local shop to buy him a new barrow?!

Planning Applications 18th June 2008

(Click here if you want to go the Waverley planning search page, and select 'Ward' from the left hand list of options)

WA/2008/1083: 27/05/2008
Proposed Development: Erection of 2 detached dwellings and associated works (revision of WA/2007/2002). 7 Wrecclesham Road.
E: 482790 N: 145677
Case Officer: Major Sites & Implementation Team

Applicant: F R Bassett, 7 Wrecclesham Road, Farnham, Surrey GU9 8TY
Agent: Roland Yates MRICS, 2 Stephendale Road, Farnham, Surrey GU9 9QP

BREAKING NEWS

Looks as if it will be October before there's a decision on East Street.

Recent submissions regarding the planned development, from the Environment Agency, raised questions regarding the flood plain, and the impact of the development on it. CNS have confirmed that revised plans, particularly with regard to landscaping and ventilation will need to be submitted, and won't be done until August.

I'll try not to do it again

It's an unwritten rule for me: don't publish the Waverley Press Releases on my blog. Blogs need to be original content.

However, I must make something of an exception by way of quoting one that arrived at my inbox just a few minutes ago. It's about our negative housing subsidy (that I only blogged about again just last night), and is written passionately:

The Borough’s director of housing David January is a speaker at the Chartered Institute of Housing Conference in Harrogate on 18 June as part of a session titled “The Housing Revenue Account is dead – long live the HRA?”

He says that because the borough now contributes 48% of tenants’ rents to the Government as negative HRA subsidy it is unable to meet the Decent Homes Standard.

“We have started a campaign group to argue for a sustainable housing finance system for council housing,” he adds. “I passionately believe that the current system is grossly unfair to all local authorities with housing stock and that the HRA subsidy system is a pernicious tax on tenants and local decision making.”

The best committee meeting I've attended

Tonight's Community Overview & Scrutiny (or Overview & Mutiny according to one tongue-in-cheek council officer) was fantastic. I simply can't think of another committee where all the papers attached to the agenda are about topics that so clearly, directly, and acutely, affect the way residents live their lives, and especially the most disadvantaged and socially excluded residents.

Maybe it was also the fact that a few councillors couldn't make it, and so the committee was slightly smaller than normal, but, its momentum and dynamics were spot on, with wide-ranging contributions and discussion, and high-quality input from the officers attending. In the departments represented, its obvious that the teams are committed to their work, and are seeking to do a great job.

Much of the agenda regarded our housing in the borough, and the nightmare scenario of the next few years, during which the amount of rental income that we must give to central government will reach 58%! That's right, 58% of rental income will make up the negative subsidy (what a horrible phrase) that the government insists we give to them as we are so clearly a borough that doesn't need the funds. Serious sarcasm.

What rot. It makes no sense at all. The papers with the agenda last night make it all too clear that our borough does not have the finances to sustain toleration of this kind of daylight robbery. By 2012 we will have zero in our reserves, and scrape by on a minimum fund for maintenance and repairs.

Much praise must go to our chief executive and out-going head of housing David January for speaking up so clearly and loudly on this issue, but as yet, there's no public sign of a change of policy (or heart).

Fair Trade = Fair Price, Fair Wage

Tonight I spoke briefly about Fair Trade at our church. The sermon passage was James 5 v 1-6, where the Apostle Paul gets pretty worked up about injustice served on the poor by the rich. He's not saying that the rich are consequently (because of their riches) evil, but that riches have the tendency to turn their owners to evil-doing.

As we strive to do the right thing in stocking our shops and paying our staff, our pastor asked me to speak briefly about what we do. I also told the story of a community in Rwanda that are now making some of the best coffee in all Africa. Pascal Kalisa, a farmer from the community, was in London at the launch of their new coffee. He was so evidently pleased to be there, but the big thing about it for him, was that his ticket was paid for by the coffee farmers. His plea? "Please buy our coffee. If it's not good coffee, don't buy it."

His desire is to do something good, and be paid a fair price for it.

Kite Runner

Tonight we watched the film adaptation of The Kite Runner by Khald Hosseini. Having read the book, we were expecting a heart-rending story, and so it was that the movie accurately portrayed the tragedy of young lives torn apart, and, of a country torn apart by religious extremism in a most evil way.

As a Christian, I see much in Islam that I do not believe, being a simple but profound consequence of the God in whom I place my faith. However, I also see things that I believe are absolutely wrong, irrespective of choice of faith: the subjugation of women; stoning of adulterers; dictating of fashion.

And yet I see in the Old Testament so much of these same kinds of issues (including stoning as a punishment), and ponder - often aloud - how should I interpret and understand the God of the Old Testament as the same God of the New Testament. I don't have the answers, although I've read many theologians on this topic.

What I do know is that these situations are more often than not complex, contextualised, and the consequences of years, maybe centuries, of inculcation. The answer is unlikely to be shock and awe, but love in its fullest sense.

Listed

Yesterday I picked up some maps from Jennie Falconer at the council offices. In our first steps towards a village design statement for Wrecclesham, we have decided that we need to know more about the village and its features and history, before agreeing an area for the statement. Wrecclesham has some nebulous boundaries in many ways, especially where it abuts Shortheath and Boundstone.

I'm a bit of a map nerd, and so took a peek at one today in between other work, and was immediately struck and astounded by the number of listed buildings in the village! I count 38 buildings throughout the village, with 28 of them on the main roads - Wrecclesham Road, The Street, and Wrecclesham Hill.

Our village has a lot to treasure and protect, and I believe the design statement will assist.

When the answer is not 42

When the answer is 42...

"I think the problem is that the question was too broadly based...

"Forty two?!" yelled Loonquawl. "Is that all you've got to show for seven and a half million years' work?"

"I checked it very thoroughly," said the computer, "and that quite definitely is the answer. I think the problem, to be quite honest with you, is that you've never actually known what the question is."

Planning Applications 11th June 2008

(Click here if you want to go the Waverley planning search page, and select 'Ward' from the left hand list of options)

WA/2008/1006: 16/05/2008
Proposed Development: Erection of a single story extension following demolition of existing conservatory. 32 Shortheath Crest Farnham.
E: 482981 N: 144861
Case Officer: Neighbourhood Team

Applicant: M Blackford, 32 Shortheath Crest, Farnham, Surrey GU9 8SB
Agent: Massingdale & Phillips, 85a West Street, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7EN
--

WA/2008/1019: 04/06/2008
Proposed Development: Erection of a two story extension. 5 Prospect Road, Farnham.
E: 482313 N: 143136
Case Officer: Neighbourhood Team

Applicant: Mr & Mrs R Bazani, 5 Prospect Road, Rowledge, Farnham GU10 4AH
Agent: Kerry Field, 4 Hillary Road, Farnham GU9 8QY
--

WA/2008/1020: 06/06/2008
Proposed Development: Erection of a two story extension. Glenside, Manley Bridge Road, Rowledge.
E: 482372 N: 143729
Case Officer: Neighbourhood Team

Applicant: J Noel, Glenside, Manley Bridge Road, Rowledge, Farnham GU10 4BU
Agent: Douglas M Blyth, 17 High Street, Rowledge, Surrey GU10 4BT
--

WA/2008/1024: 20/05/2008
Proposed Development: Use of garage as habitable accommodation together with the erection of an extension. 11a Woodcut Road, Farnham.
E: 482748 N: 144511
Case Officer: Neighbourhood Team

Applicant: Mr & Mrs Adair, 11a Woodcut Road, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4QF
Agent: Priest Design Service, Greenlawns, 22 Dovedale Close, Owlsmoor, Sandhurst GU47 0YG
--

WA/2008/1030: 21/05/2008
Proposed Development: Erection of extensions and alternations following demolition of existing extension. Talland, Fernbrae Close, Rowledge.
E: 483511 N; 143034
Case Officer: Neighbourhood Team

Applicant: I Langermann & N Howard, Talland, Ferbrae Close, Rowledge, Surrey GU10 4ED.
Agent: Ms Susanna Mussotter, Paul Archer Design Ltd, 3d2 Zetland House, 5-25 Scrutton Street, London EC2A 4HJ

House Husband

This week I'm learning a little bit about what it is to be a house husband. Rach is away for a few days work in Kettering, and so I'm looking after Caleb... and discovering exactly how tiring and hard work it can be.

Not that Caleb is difficult to look after! He's content, chilled even, and simply enjoys anything and everything. Yet, it's the challenge of trying to fit other things into the day, when all he wants to do is play, crawl, and walk his way into trouble and breakages.

Perhaps I have too many distractions, and wanting to be at my laptop responding to the copious emails mounting up in my inbox isn't 'normal' behavoiur for everyone! But I am realising exactly how amazing my wife is, managing to juggle so many responsibilities in our business and home, and, most importantly, look after our son.

Only 60,000 left in the UK

A small follow-up today to my Friday post about a possible endangered species - the red phone box. I added a PS to my feedback to the executive committee - a mention that I found it impossible to discover a list of BT payphones (all 60,000 of them) that one could use as an aid to planning a journey without a mobile phone.

Well, a colleague at the council emailed today to inform me that on speaking to BT, they say that they

"don't have a list ... in the public domain but ... shall make the point about provision of that in future."

Apparently there are lists that can be bought and downloaded on the web, from private companies that have compiled them, but to be honest, it bothers me that it's not free to do so. I'm really not sure how BT are keeping to their service obligations without such a search being possible. And free.

Man hole

Do you ever wonder what your local councillor gets up to at the weekend? Actually, you probably don't.

But, I'm going to let you know anway, well, at least what I did today. I cemented in a man-hole cover in the driveway!

Probably not a big deal for most people, but I'm not that great with DIY or anything like that, so it felt like quite an accomplishment. I guess the 'proof of the pudding' will be how strong it is once it's dry. Not that I'll be driving my car over it just to find out.

Endangered Species Alert

The deadline for the consultation on BT's proposals to remove a number payphones from Waverley is on the 2nd July, but in order for all of us at the council to collaborate and to send a combined response, we've been asked to send in our submissions by today.

As well as responding individually, you can also sign a couple of petitions. Firstly, at Rowledge Post Offie and Village Shop, where Cliff Putnam the postmaster has a petition (also see page 3 of this week's Farnham Herald). And secondly on our MP's website.

You can find full details for the consultion on the Waverley website, including the letter from BT, the full list of the phone boxes earmarked for removal (includes 33 red boxes), and information on how to contact BT by email, letter or phone.

Please write or phone if you have the time. Small changes like these can creep up on us as a community, and suddenly we realise our villages have changed irreparably, and the icons of our history have gone.

--
I'd like to record my objections to the removal of the red boxes of Applelands Close, Wrecclesham, and The Square, Rowledge.

* Being under the consultation, it's clear that these boxes are further than 400 m from another payphone, and for those wishing to reach one, especially if infirm in anyway, this is a long way.

* Whilst landlines are ubiquitous, mobile phones as at 2005/6 were owned by 79% of the population, and although this may well have climbed in the past couple of years, based on the slow down of the increase it might only now be around 81% - certainly not full coverage. (Source: Family Expenditure Survey and Expenditure and Food Survey, Office for National Statistics)

Payphones provide for (a) those who have no landline or one that is not working, and (b) especially for those on the move who have no mobile phone. Red boxes are particularly noticeable to those driving and in need of a phone, and to have two such phones in such a small geograhical area removed, would be, in my view, against BT's Universal Service Obligation.

In addition, I feel we should point out that the red box at Applelands Close is in a shameful condition, both inside and out, and I believe that BT's obligations should certainly include maintaining their payphones to a standard that encourages use, rather than discourages.

Regards,
MikeC

P.S. As an additional note, I tried hard to find an easy search engine for the location of BT Payphones... and failed miserably. Do you know if one exists? If not, then again, BT are not providing a service that enables someone with no mobile phone, an easy means by which to plan their journey and access to a phone if required.

Mystery

On the same walk down River Lane that saw me post yesterday about mindless grafitti and vandalism, I stumbled across something that made me catch my breath, and wonder (almost aloud) about its origin. About 80 yards before the road, I noticed a photo on the fence, and stopped, and read the following:

George White
Murdered on this pot
17th April 1904
Still Remembered

It's been over a hundred years since this event, and yet (presumably) a family member recalls this with sadness each year. Both a sad and powerful reminder of family love and ties.

I don't get it

I can read all the reports in the world about how the youth of today are bored, and need things to keep them off the streets, but really, I still don't understand how someone can do this kind of mindless vandalism to private property (River Lane railway bridge). Not having 'something to do' is no excuse.

Rent Asunder

I don't think that I've ever bought a copy of the Guardian. There we go - my confession of the day. However, today would have a good day to break that vow of abstinence, as the paper covered what we in Waverley have been making a noise about for some time now: our negative housing subsidy.

It's a tragedy that because Waverley is perceived (in many ways accurately, but only in general terms) as a wealthy borough, it's pockets of poverty are dealt an awful hand by way of the central government's treatment of housing rents. We give back to the treasury 47% of the £23 million! Imagine what we could do with those funds to improve our housing stock, the lives of our tenants, and our communities.

Thanks to the efforts led by Waverley, this issue is now receiving the attention it deserves.

So, something that I didn't think I'd be writing in my blog today - I take my hat off to the Guardian.

Planning Applications 4th June 2008

(Click here if you want to go the Waverley planning search page, and select 'Ward' from the left hand list of options)

WA/2008/0929: 02/05/2008

Proposed Development: Erection of extensions and alterations following partial demolition of existing dwelling. Merrythought, 30 Gardeners Hill Road, Farnham.
E: 482846 N: 143327
Case Officer: Mr P Hardwick

Applicant & Agent: A Down, Archplan, 30 Cholmeley Crescent, Highgate, London, N6 5HA
--
WA/2008/0967: 29/05/2008

Proposed Development: Increase in height of dwelling and its temporary independent annexe to provide increased first floor accommodation including the construction of dormer windows. Little Orchard, 34 Wrecclesham Hill, Farnham.
E: 482281 N: 144523
Case Officer: Neighbourhood Team

Applicant: D Cannon, 34 Wrecclesham Hill, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4JW
Agent: Mr A Ward, Award Design, 10 Kielder Walk, Camberley, Surrey GU15 1AU

LOL

A friend of mine who works for Croydon Council has made me laugh by sending an email of great cartoons about fuel prices. Here's a couple to make you smile too.

Reviving Faith Ideological Engagement in Politics

Sat at Waterloo Station, waiting for the Alton train to get me back to Farnham, I'm mulling over the debate this evening. Chaired by BBC correspondent Christopher Landau, it was a conversation between him and Jim Wallis, American author, campaigner, activist and theologian (in no particular order), and 3 MPs - Andy Reed (Labour), Tim Farron (LD), and Andrew Selous (Con).

I made many notes and could could copiously type them up, but I'm not sure that such a verbatim report would make sense to anyone else. So, I've tried to summarise some key points that struck me - not necessarily all of them, or the key ones for others at the debate, but these ones resonated with me this evening.

Issues
* Movements make things possible, not just an individual (even Wilberforce). Millions of individual decisions, and by critical and prophetic minorities, not majorities, bring about change.
* The church should be focussing on speaking to the common good, not about the church 'winning' the debate.
* There is a choice in society's response to its issues - between hope and cynicism, and cynicism is a buffer against commitment.

Quotes
* "Globalization has an inevitable logic, but no ethic": Jim Wallis.
* "If we're [the church] are not careful, we'll become middle-class theatres with great powerpoint": Andy Reed.
* "There's nothing insipid about Jesus Christ, but there's something insipid about the church response...": Tim Farron.

And, I came away with the following questions:

1. How do we change the debate so that the secularist position is given the same critical treatment as the faith position?
2. How do we "change the wind", not just the wet-fingered politician?
3. How often does someone ask "Why do you live the way you do?"

And one final quote, as it's so good:
"Evan Harris is Dawkins' representative on earth": Anon.

Neither Private nor Privileged

I'm on the train to London to attend "Reviving Faith in Politics", an event hosted by Theos at the Houses of Parliament, and sub-titled "To what extent should the church seek to shape public policy?

Some of my posts address this question - law of blasphemy; human embryology - as I believe this at its root to be the key question of all political engagement. Actually, how can it not be? Replace, with any of the following, 'the church' in the sub-title, and the question remains essentially the same:

'my personal morality'
'the synagogue'
'the humanist society'
'my atheism'

Basically, how can one justify influencing, setting, or rejecting public policy on the basis of one's ideology, one's philosophy of life? But, think about it for a second... on what other basis would one wish shape public policy? A simple majority opinion? The loudest voice? Should 'the church' or any religion claiming divine inspiration, be discounted simply because science does not prove (not 'disprove') its claims?

I'm interested in the answers to this that will be given tonight (by MPs from the three main political parties), and will take notes and blog some more tomorrow about the event.

P.S. Theos' latest report (by clear and coherent thinker and author Nick Spencer), addresses this issue - Neither Private nor Privileged: The Role of Christianity in Britain Today.

Newsflash 2

Is it me, or has the Vehicle Activated Sign that I blogged about yesterday, been moved to the other side of the road?

Newsflash

Or 'speedflash'. A resident of Wrecclesham Hill pointed out to me a week or so ago that the Vehicle Activated Sign on the hill had not been working for a while. As I was sitting in his house on the hill when he said this, and experienced the speed and noise of fast cars for myself, I particularly empathised!

After a few emails to find out who was responsible for the sign, it turned out that the Community Highways Officer at Surrey County Council had organised the sign, but that the police maintained. So what a great sight this afternoon, as I happened to drive past the sign and saw two police officers working on it. Hopefully it's now flashing (appropriately, and not too often one hopes).

Have I Got News For You...

... from guest publication "Dental Tribune", courtesy of my mother-in-law (erstwhile Practice Manager of Weobley, Herefordshire).

Last night it was pointed out to me that the front page of the UK edition reported on the NHS Dental Services debate in the House of Lords, on 24th April. However, what was frustrating, was having reported that Lord Colwyn, listed "eight reasons not to be a National Health Service dentist", it failed to mention them. Given that my father-in-law and one brother-in-law are NHS dentists, and that Lord Colwyn was listing these reasons as evidence of how our government has made it increasingly likely for dentists to become private, I thought I would hunt out the reasons (from the online version of Hansard) and list below:

1. The NHS does not recognise that a dental business is a business.
2. Laboratory bills are huge.
3. The UDAs, the units of dental activity payment bands, are seen as covering too wide a spectrum.
4. Dentists do not wish to take on new patients with an unknown volume of work needed, because of the risk of a large increase in expenses gainst a fixed-target income.
5. If the dentist falls short of the fixed target in his contract at the end of an NHS financial year, a proportion of his fee can be reclaimed.
6. If the dentist exceeds his target, any further work undertaken by the dentist in that financial year has to be carried out unpaid.
7. Preventive work is not carried out fully because dentists are too busy on the UDA treadmill.
8. It has become extremely difficult to realise the good-will value of the business by selling it on to a successor dentist, as the the PCTs will not provide any transfer undertaking or certification.

And the government response to these reasons that many, if not all, NHS dentists and patients would recognise?

Baroness Thornton: "our record on dentistry is strong".

How many councillors does it take to use a phone box?

One - just. According to councillor for Shortheath and Boundstone, John Ward. Here's what he emailed me this week about the red phone box in Boundstone that's under threat of removal by BT:

There is a big intimidatory sign on the door saying NO COINS and when one gets inside there is the notice saying that it is to be removed (after 42days "consultation"). Actually using it is more difficult.

There are reasonably obvious instructions. Firstly one is told to swipe ones credit card in the card swiper - after careful search I found that there isn't one. Then I discovered in small print very low down (so that I had to bend double) "what to do if there is no card reader".

This involved dialling an 0800 number which one had to bob up and down like a demented partridge to read the number and then key it in. One extra small problem - after dialling 0800 the line goes dead!!

There are also instructions in small print about using a BT card which I doubt many people have.

I lost patience and anyone at all infirm or with poor eyesight would never be able to make a call anyway. One might wonder of this is an "accidental" ploy by BT to reduce the takings!!

Cushions

It's less than two days since I posted about my incorrect assumptions about the Echo Barn Lane consultation. And already I have the answer!

And for it, I take my off my (metaphorical) hat to David Munro, our local County Councillor, who gets back to me on these kind of things with some swiftness. As it turns out, the plan goes to the Surrey County Council Local Committee (Waverley) on the 6th June. The committee's role includes the review and approval of the Local Transport Plan, which as this meeting will include the scheme for the crossroads (including "road cushions").

If you're keen to observe a bit of local bureaucracy democracy, then it's all happening at Godalming Baptist Church from 1.30 pm on Friday 6th June.

Greenbelt. Or not greenbelt?

This morning I was able to confirm a date next week for visiting a location in the ward that is giving me a planning conundrum. It's a piece of land next to existing properties, that has been used for light industrial / storage / building purposes, for the past years, and for which there is now an application to erect a single dwelling.

The conundrum springs from the fact that this land is not for urban development. It's not strictly greenbelt, yet is has a designation that protects the village from expansion in this direction. However, a number of the residents of adjoining properties would be happy for the new house to be permitted, as it would look much nicer from their own properties than a builders yard, and would seem more in keeping with the area.

There are a number of questions in my mind though:
(1) If relevant conditions are placed in the deeds of adjoining properties, would that be sufficient to prevent further development, even perhaps in the near future? I.e. how binding would these conditions be on future owners?
(2) Would allowing a particular development on very local grounds, be setting a precedent (even though this is not allowed for in national planning law) for further application for nearby greenbelt (or similar) land?
(3) Is it possible that an owner could use a certain piece of land in a way that means neighbouring owners would then be glad to see development on it as an alternative?

I post these as they are the real questions in my mind as I ponder over this application, and thought it might be of interest. Comments anyone?

Gate A19

Sat at Heathrow's Terminal 5, enjoying its space, cleanliness, and general calmness, I'm struck at the sight and example of three children playing before me. Two girls, sisters I think, have just invited - without guile, hidden agendas, or contractual obligations - a young boy to join them in a game.

I write this, as I'm simply made happy by the sight of such simple fun and enjoyment. No natual suspicion of someone unknown and unmet. No fear. No ideological separation. No nonsense - just sense.

The world of course, is not this simple and clearly bounded, and not in the main guided by loving watchful parents from their nearby seats, sharing frequent glances with the parents opposite them, all equally enjoying the sight of such playfulness. But, perhaps there's something to be learned from approaching things in a childlike manner.

Perhaps you're thinking "Mike, you're totally overworking this into some pseudo psychological-come-political analogy that simply doesn't work." Or perhaps you're thinking like me, "Wouldn't it be great if I could make friends this easily, and if I fall out with them, make it up as quickly" I'm pretty sure the world would be a nicer place.

Cross with the crossroads

This is probably something I could have asked about months ago, but I made a bad assumption, and I'm cross with myself.

I assumed that the work going on at the crossroads at the top of School Hill and Sandrock Hill, would be the junction upgrade to make it safer for drivers and pedestrians alike. However, I should have looked more closely, as it appears that it was exclusively for gas works that have been going on for many months now in the villages of South Farnham.

Apologies if anyone else thought this too. I'm checking up on the "Echo Barn Lane Consultation and Plan" (available on the Surrey County Council website) to find out the latest, and will post about it as soon as I hear.

Planning Applications 28th May 2008

(Click here if you want to go the Waverley planning search page, and select 'Ward' from the left hand list of options)

WA/2008/0916: 20/05/2008

Proposed DevelopmentAlterations to access, gates and fence including dropped kerb. Glenwood Cottage, 22 School Hill, Farnham.
E: 482808 N: 144631
Case Officer: Neighbourhood Team

Applicant & Agent: D Halfpenny, Glenwood Cottage, 22 School Hill, Wrecclesham, Farnham GU10 4QD

Use it or lose it

It was thinking about a comment by Roger Ellis at the AGM of the Wrecclesham Village Society that made me start writing. Roger is on the committee of the Wrecclesham Community Centre (see my ward map for it's location), and was encouraging us all at that AGM to use the centre for parties, meetings... basically any gatherings where a larger space is needed.

Do consider the centre, because like most things, unless we use it, we may lose it.

The Public Whip

Another website that's invaluable for holding MPs to account, is The Public Whip which makes available every vote in both Houses of Parliament, searchable by either topic or MP or Peer.

Examples
Click here, for the law of blasphemous libel that was repealed on 6th May.

And click here for a list of the votes in last week's human embryology debates.

Living in a democracy that elects representatives to parliament, does not mean that each MP should simply do as the majority in their constituency tells them - otherwise in this day of technology, we could simply ask everyone in the country to vote by internet on every bill in the House of Commons. But it does mean that we should each take up our responsibility to vote, and to lobby, with seriousness.

Third Way

No, not my confession of a weekend conversion to New Labour, but the title of a magazine to which I'm considering re-subscribing.

Some years ago both my wife and I would read it from cover-to-cover. But, then, the writing quality went downhill a little; there was too much ranting and invective; and it simply didn't cover enough insight on enough of the current issues of the day.

Well, I'm glad to say that if the latest, rebranded, relaunched, issue is anything to go by, these problems have been solved.

This post also serves as somewhat of a follow-on from my one on Blasphemy a few days ago. A local resident and I have been swapping emails about how one should (or should not) strive to protect our Christian heritage by enshrining it in our law, including the retention or otherwise of the blasphemous libel laws. Well, a great article in Third Way by its deputy editor Stephen Tomkins, goes into much more detail about the argument for its repeal, and pretty much gets my vote on it.

Unfortunately... their website is being updated with the new branding, and so I can't show you the whole article. But, to whet your appetite, here's a snippet:

"Don't the Ten Commandments put not taking the Lord's name in vain at the heart of Christian Morality? Perhaps, but there are two problems. The main is that Christian morality is for Christians. It is not obvious that we have a responsibility to impose it on the world and demand that people honour the name of a God they believe does not exist.
Secondly, it is not at all clear what misusing the name of the Lord meant in the ancient world.
It behoves Christians to put their own house of God in order before trying to control how unbelievers use the name of the Lord."

Last night

Last night I was engaged in a conversation about this week's votes on the Human Embryology Bill, and our discussion amounted to the following quandry: "to what extent should legislation be enacted to outlaw something, independent of its efficacy, and if only in order to prevent the pursuit of alternate agendas and outcomes?"

I find this a key question in my own worldview - how I view the role and rule of law reflects my own moral and ethical values, and the extent to which I believe they should be codified even in the light of others', differing, values.

The other underlying positions in our conversation were:

(1) When does human life begin?
(2) Is it possible to measure the value of one human life over another? If so, when, and how?

On these questions and their answers, hang the answers to the issues of this week, and many others. I think that Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor is correct in today's Telegraph: the debate is only really beginning.

They Work For You

Reminded by just reading the email that I get most days, I thought I'd post about a great website. TheyWorkForYou.com records all the words written or spoken by every MP, and anyone can register to be updated by email on any number of MPS. Of course, I'm mostly interested in Jeremy's words, but I also get information on a few other MPs that I either know, or respect, or... well, for any reason really.

Rowledge Village Design Statement

Over coffee yesterday afternoon I think I found the fourth person to express specific interest in a village design statement for Rowledge. Great news, and once I've heard from 3 or 4 more of you, I think we'll be a good group to meet with Sarah Wells, Urban Design Officer at Waverley. Sarah gives a good overview of what's entailed, and we can then see if everyone would like to continue on.

On a related item, the Frensham Village Design Statement gained the Executive's approval on Tuesday evening, and so passes to the next full council meeting for ratification. After that it will be available on the Waverley website.

Planning Applications 21st May 2008

(Click here if you want to go the Waverley planning search page, and select 'Ward' from the left hand list of options)

WA/2008/0861: 02/05/2008

Proposed Development
Erection of single storey extensions following demolition of existing single storey rear extension. 27 High Street, Rowledge.
E: 482334 N: 143656
Case Officer: Mr A Griffiths

Applicant: J Freeman, 27 High Street, Rowledge, Surrey GU10 4BT
Agent: R Hunt, 6 York Road, Farnham, Surrey GU9 8JX
--
WA/2008/0878: 29/04/2008

Proposed Development
Erection of a new dwelling with associated works. Land to the rear of 104 Boundstone Road, Rowledge
E: 482760 N: 143739
Case Officer: Major Sites & Implementation Team

Applicant: R Elsmore, Elsmore Construction Ltd, C/o Agent

Agent: Mrs Janet Long, Planit Consulting, Barnfield, PO Box 721, Godalming, Surrey GU7 9BR
--

WA/2008/0881: 12/05/2008

Proposed Development
Erection of extensions and alterations. 17 School Hill, Farnham.
E: 482809 N: 144680
Case Officer: Neighbourhood Team

Applicant: Dr S Shahnazari, 17 School Hill, Wrecclesham, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4QD

Agent:P Wilson, Titwood, Old Compton Lane, Farnham, Surrey GU9 8EG

Nitrogen, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide... Air, to you and me

At the Village Society meeting last week, a lady asked me about air quality in Wrecclesham. It reminded me that we had some air quality measurement going on in Wrecclesham, that I first heard about a year ago. So, I did some follow-up.

However, (and I'm learning as I go here from Anne Sayer, all things air quality at Waverley), it's not a simple matter of taking a year's readings and then extrapolating conclusions. Things such as temperature, precipitation (rain, to you and me), and wind, all contribute to the quality of air, and with these things ranging widely in quality over different years, comparative analysis is complex.

To quote Anne:
Diffusion tubes are a cost effective method of monitoring Nitrogen Dioxide levels.

Data for each month is then averaged over the year to show whether the Government's annual maximum objective for Nitrogen Dioxide is being exceeded. This objective allows a maximum level of 40 micrograms of nitrogen dioxide per cubic metre - if this is exceeded then the local authority must undertake a more detailed assessment.Areas of exposures are areas where people are expected to spend time - for this objective they include the boundaries of people's houses (but not their gardens) and public offices etc.

Waverley produces an annual report on air quality for the Government every year. This report concluded that the objective for nitrogen dioxide was not exceeded at the Wrecclesham monitoring site in 2007 - the first full year of data (although it was only just below) so we are not recommending a more detailed assessment at this point.

I'm now a little bit more educated thanks to Anne, but certainly not an expert in this area yet. Do let me know if you think it should be investigated a bit more - especially if you're offering to do the investigation yourself!

Geeks in Godalming

There'll be more of them in the High Street from today, as the Wireless Godalming project goes live. I believe that it will be the first time in the UK that a town has had free wireless internet available across its centre. Councillor Adam Taylor-Smith, portfolio holder for Communications, along with the IT dept of the council, have been hard at work to get this ready, and as you all probably expect, I'll be there with my Apple laptop as soon as I can get there!

See the Waverley website for a bit more info.

Lythe Hill Hotel

I'm still not (see previous review) intending a regular feature of restaurant reviews, but my wife and I did just have the most wonderful break in a beautiful part of our borough, and I feel it deserves a mention.

The Lythe Hill Hotel sits just south of Haslemere, and once ensconsed there, we could have been a million miles from the busyness of SE England. Picturesque and peaceful grounds, a great spa, and especially good, the Auberge de France.

The hardwood smoked chicken breast with kiwi sauce for starter was subtle, sweet and succulent, and the salmon with cod and chorizo sauce a surprise and sensational combination. (Can you see that I've used the S section of my thesaurus?)

So essentially this is a hearty recommendation, and if you go for the special Sunday night package, you get one night in a lovely room, dinner, the spa, and breakfast all in the price. A wonderful way to finish the weekend, and start the week.

Click here for the Lythe Hill Hotel website

Blasphemy

A few days ago a friend of mine emailed me, pointing to a brief mention in the Telegraph of an attempt to repeal the law of blasphemy. Paul was supporting a view that the church should counter this attempt.

However, I'm not certain it should. I'm a Christian, and I believe that blasphemy offends God, but I don't believe that it means it should be illegal in our society, and carry a penalty. Here's what I emailed back:

Hi Paul,

Thanks for your email regarding the 'small print' proposal to abolish the 'ancient laws of blasphemy'.

Thought I'd contribute by being potentially controversial! I disagree that this proposal is a bad thing, and that the church should counter it. I do not believe that there should be a legal penalty for blaspheming. In fact, there's many things that I believe are contrary to God's law / will, which I do not believe should be illegal.

It's possibly hard for us to swallow the fact that this amendment is de facto sponsored by three of the most anti-Christian characters in three of the most opinion-forming sectors of society. However, this doesn't persuade me that they are wrong, merely powerfully remind me that the church is far too reticent about being engaged in public discourse about such issues. And, when it does engage, it far too easily relies on theological and ecclesiastical jargon and assumptions of a superior and naturally authoritative worldview.

And to go further, I believe that it's weak to give the impression that the Christian faith requires protection by law in this way.

Don't get me wrong - I believe that God instituted many things that we should not only cherish, but also seek to codify in law. But blasphemy isn't one of them.

What do you think? :-)

Welcome! Willkommen! Bienvenue!

As I pulled out of Fullers Road, I remembered that I needed to take a closer look at the 'Welcome to Waverley' sign as I crossed the border from Hampshire to Surrey. Thankfully I had my iPhone with me (well, I always have it with me to tell you the truth), and a quick stop, with a quick snap, and here's the result. Needs a bit of a wash, and I'm still trying to think of improvements. Perhaps "Welcome" in a few different languages?

(As well as fixing the two dents of course).

Speech!

A speech? That would be going a bit too far. But I did say a few words at the Wrecclesham Village Society AGM last night.

I spoke briefly about my hopes for the development of a Village Design Statement; I mentioned the new supplementary planning guidance for section 106 contributions (jargon, I know - you can read the Waverley document here); and told everyone about this blog.

However, I fell well short of the excellence of the first presentation of the evening by Verity O'Connell. Waste & Recycling Officer for the council, Verity told the meeting about the various aspects of the recycling efforts in Waverley, and did so with obvious passion (especially for her bicycle), and with great knowledge. (Check out more information on the Waverley website)

As the evening went on, I found myself feeling more and more guilty for contaminating our recycling containers with inappropriate materials. Note to self - margarine tubs shouldn't go in with the plastics! Or the brown paper bags with paper!

Bird. Singular.

I think Bridget died.

Let me explain. The most recent four chickens we bought a few years ago, we decided to name after four good friends of ours: Bridget, Dayle, Nicky-Sue and Jackie. Initially I could tell them apart, and all was okay, but unfortunately, as they matured, filled out, preened themselves, and generally grew-up (and yes, I'm talking about the... chickens), it became a bit more difficult.

So, finding a dead chicken this morning was quick and easy to deal with, but identification somewhat debatable.

Anyway, I promised I'd let me readers (up to 25 of your now!) know when it happened.

It happened.

Just Jackie left. (Or Nicky-Sue. Or Dayle)

What speed? What colour? What make? What model?

If you think you could answer the questions above easily as a car whizzes by, then you may be the perfect candidate for a community speedwatch near you! Speedwatch is a scheme to help people reduce speeding traffic though their community. It incorporates poster campaigns linked to direct action using radar speed guns and Vehicle Activated Signs, all under the supervision of the County Council. The use of the radar devices may not initially lead to prosecution (although multiple letters might) - drivers will get a letter from the police instead - but will help to underline the community’s commitment to reducing speed.

A Wrecclesham scheme was started up about 2 years ago, but recently has floundered a little due to difficultly getting enough people who can answer the above questions. Wrecclesham Hill was the prime target, with vehicles flying by throughout the day. What I have noticed though is the setting up of vehicle activated signs, which I happen to think are great.

What I didn't know though, was that there was now a scheme in Rowledge. A resident popped into our coffee shop at the weekend and happened to mention it, so I'm hoping to meet up with one of the organisers soon.

I'll blog some more when I have better information about how help's needed in both these schemes. But, in the meantime, if you're a Top Gear fanatic, you may be just the person we need. (Although the cars are not all likely to be Ferraris, Porsches or Aston Martins)

Where in the world? Part 2

Here in fact. I've found a great way of marking out the boundaries of the ward using Google Maps. Yes, I am a nerd. Yes, I love my Apple laptop. Yes, I love maps.

Oh, you did say that again.

It happened two weeks ago. It's happened today. No new planning applications in the ward!

To all 10 (someone at the council has found my blog and let a few other know!) of you who were anticipating sheds, extensions, and conservatories with bated breath... apologies.

And I did check twice again.

Pomp and Circumstance... and charity...

... made their annual appearance at the council tonight, with the election of the new mayor and deputy mayor of Waverley. Len Bate will make an excellent mayor, with his wife Meryl as Mayoress.

In the midst of the ceremony and general back-slapping, I want to pick out the two charities that Len has picked out for his particular support this year. They are both wonderful organisations - please consider supporting them either via events organise by the mayor this year, or via their own fundraising activities. Like all charities, they depend massively on the support of volunteers and donors.

Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice offers Specialist Palliative Care to those facing the end of their life and to those who love and care for them, serving a population of 600,000 across West Surrey and North East Hampshire. Every day they support over 100 patients and carers in their own homes, in the community and at the Hospice.


Crossways provides a professional counselling service in Haslemere and the surrounding area for people who otherwise would not be able to afford private counselling sessions. We have a team of 8 counsellors who have either a diploma or MSc in counselling and abide by the Code of Ethics of each of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and the Association of Christian Counsellors. They are all Christians and work under regular supervision.