Terminal

That's how I might describe the heat in Chicago or Houston at this time of year, for those of a weaker disposition. I'm used to getting off a BA flight at either of those cities, and wading through the air as it's gentle dampness and intense heat wrap around me like a blanket.

However, I wasn't expecting to have a similar experience on my way to the airport here in London. But that's what it was like today. Thankfully, even though Terminal 4 is being turned upside down due to renovations now that most of BA is running out of T5, the aircon still seems to be working.

Time for a very, very cold DC I think :-)

My name is Mike, and I'm a Diet Coke addict

It's true. I could use the excuse that the day is hot and humd, and fluids are important. But there would be immediate rebuttals by any member of my family or business who would point out that my consumption of Diet Coke rivals my father's consumption of cups of tea, and that's saying something!

One of our waitresses pointed out to me this week that there's so much of one particular ingredient in DC (that's what we addicts call Diet Coke, or, 'medicine' when we try to claim it has healing properties) that it makes drinkers need more fluids.

Actually, I'm addicted to black coffee as well I think, and that concerns all our waitresses so much that they now refuse to give me a coffee unless I drink a glass of water with it!

Well, back to my DC, and one more hour until the coffee shop shuts for the day. I'm certainly looking forward to our BBQ this evening with friends and family, and a cold beer or two :-)

Frustrated from Wrecclesham

At least, that's the way I feel like signing my emails today. I've been striving to represent a number of residents of a small new development in the village, who feel very much ignored / frustrated / badly treated by the property management company chosen by the builders to manage the estate. It's resulted (after 18 months of well documented meetings and letters) with a debt collection company threatening the residents, some of them elderly, with County Court Judgments.

Now, I dare say as with all situations, there are reasonable explanations of mistakes in communication, but there's no excuse for such a hardline attitude, particularly after the building company had committed not to do so.

However, my frustration is compounded by the sheer inability for the property management company to find anyone of any authority to speak to me, from 10.35 this morning when I first made my call, until now, almost 6 hours and 7 phone calls later. In my view, this tells me that the issue isn't important to them, and there lies my ultimate frustration: that we give planning permission for a development of homes, only to result in a new part of our community upset and angry and not enjoying living in our village.

Arghhh.....

List the lot

Bryn Morgan spoke briefly at the council meeting on Tuesday evening about our brief and successful campaign to save the local red phone boxes. Bryn is the portfolio holder for Partnerships, Community Engagement and Enhanced Two-Tier Working (I know, a bit of a mouthful, and I've no idea how he fits it on the business card!) He spoke of the excellent work done by council officers to collate input to Waverley's response to BT, and failed (modestly) to mention his own spearheading and leadership.

What he did add, was that local councillors might wish to consider what's next? Might we adopt a phone box each perhaps? Or seek to have them listed and provide some protection from future such attempts.

Well, I had a wonderful reply from Waverley's Historic Buildings Officer, Russell Morris. We currently have ten listed in Waverley, out of a total 2000 listed in the country as a whole. I've popped the list below (an extract from the full list), and would add that if anyone's interested in helping apply for listed status for either of the two in our ward (see my map for their locations), I'd very much appreciate the help!

291875 K6 TELEPHONE KIOSK OPPOSITE HILLSIDE (0403-752241), ROSEMARY LANE, GU6 8EU
ALFOLD: Grade:  II  NGR:  TQ0379033972

440847 K6 TELEPHONE KIOSK OPPOSITE PARISH CHURCH , HIGH STREET, GU5 0HB
BRAMLEY: Grade:  II  NGR:  TQ0082944901

447765 K6 TELEPHONE KIOSK IN FRONT OF NUMBERS 59 AND 60 WINDSOR ALMSHOUSES TELEPHONE NUMBER FARNHAM 715737 , CASTLE STREET, GU9 7HR
FARNHAM: Grade:  II  NGR:  SU8390947037

447766 K6 TELEPHONE KIOSK OUTSIDE PUBLIC LIBRARY TELEPHONE NUMBER FARNHAM 716855, WEST STREET, GU9 7DR
FARNHAM: Grade:  II  NGR:  SU8366146720

291361 K6 AT JUNCTION WITH CROWNPITS LANE, BRIGHTON ROAD, GU7 1PW
GODALMING: Grade:  II  NGR:  SU9743043268

291452 PAIR OF K6 TELEPHONE KIOSKS OUTSIDE MAIN POST OFFICE (GODALMING 5436 AND 5558), MILL LANE, GU7 1HF
GODALMING: Grade:  II  NGR:  SU9680543797

440933 K6 TELEPHONE KIOSK OUTSIDE THURSLEY SUB POST OFFICE TELEPHONE NUMBER ELSTEAD 702203, DYEHOUSE LANE, GU8 6QL
THURSLEY: Grade:  II  NGR:  SU9011439748

436202 K6 TELEPHONE KIOSK NEAR DRIVE TO BRIDGE FARMHOUSE , TILFORD STREET
TILFORD: Grade:  II  NGR:  SU8743143449

440849 K6 TELEPHONE KIOSK OUTSIDE WONERSH VILLAGE STORES (GUILDFORD 892330) , THE STREET, GU5 0PF
WONERSH: Grade:  II  NGR:  TQ0166845228

Planning Applications 23rd July 2008

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

WA/2008/1293: 02/07/2008
Proposed Development: Erection of extensions and alterations to provide a chalet bungalow. 102 Boundstone Road, Rowledge.
E: 482786 N: 143736
Case Officer: Mrs L Smitheman

Applicant: B Smith, 102 Boundstone Road, Rowledge, Surrey GU10 4AU
Agent: Mr Peter Byrom, Richard Flowitt Partnership LLP, Jersey Barn, Loseley Park, Guildford GU3 1HS

Pigeons vs Trees

When I stood for election to Waverley Borough Council, I had a few things in mind - I'd be able to influence policy (yes); I could intervene on behalf of residents on housing issues (yes); and more.

But I never thought that I'd be engaging in a conversation about pigeon excrement and tree protection orders! However, life has its twists and turns, and here I am learning (in the words of our own council website) that

The only effective way to control pigeons and other pest species of birds is to remove food sources, roosting sites and breeding sites.

Hence my post title today - is it pigeons who win out, or the tree preservation order, when a family's life is miserable, especially in this gorgeous weather, because of the unremitting deposit of dark, staining, smelly pigeon poo on their back patio.

I know, not the most lovely of topics, but in reality, a good example of the kind of seemingly small issue that can make life pretty frustrating for both the family, and the councillor trying to help them out.

Part 1, 2, 3

Back from our weekend away with family, I'm sat at my desk thinking about tomorrow night's council meeting. Agendas are split into three parts, some of which are subject to public speaking, some of what are not. And I want to speak on a particular item, I need to alert committee services at Waverley by midday tomorrow.

Sounds simple? Well, when the agenda in front of me is 290 pages long, with an appendix of 153 pages, it's a bit of a challenge to wisely select items on which to speak, if any. One rule I try to follow is that if I know another councillor will be saying the same thing as I intend to, then I don't believe in repeating it just so my own voice is heard.

On the other hand, many voices on one issue can demonstrate depth of feeling and commitment, and therefore communicate powerfully.

Hence, it's not simply to decide. I'm thinking about speaking briefly on a couple of issues that relate to village design statements, as I'd like the other councillors and public to know that we're looking to create these for Rowledge and Wrecclesham. Otherwise I'm not yet sure. The clock is ticking...

6 votes

When the polls closed today, the general public (well 6 of you), had declared that local councils shouldn't be selling the elctoral roll.

Hmm... I'm not sure this gives me a mandate to campaign on this just yet! But it's something I continue to feel strongly about.

Hands up if you want to concrete over the South-East?

Ah, that will be the Secretary of State then.

If a development of 2,500 dwelling at Bordon/Whitehill didn't seem enough, then you'll be pleased. The Secretary of State has increased this provision to 5,500!

5,500!!!! And where, I hear you all ask, is the associated plan for infrastructure - roads, doctors, dentists, schools.. - that must surely accompany it. Well, I think that it's buried in a number of other documents, but at 54 pages, I haven't quite read the whole of the 'Regional Transport Strategy (Chapter 9 of Regional Planning Guidance for the South East RPG9'. And, I'm certain that it doesn't include a by-pass for Wrecclesham. However, it does make reference to our area - recognise / understand any of this? I'm pretty certain it was written by Sir Humphrey:

Delivery of the necessary step change in the development and management of the transport system is likely to require the adoption of an 'integreated management' approach to the delivery of investment across all modes, supported by the consistent application of a strong suite of supporting mobility management measures.

The SoS's proposals to change the existing plans must be open for public consultation, and the 12-week period has just started. To make comments you can visit the Government Office for the South East website.

Question Time

1. How should a landowner of a large town-centre site, respond in a business-like manner to the prevailing economic climate, especially the specific signs of depression in the building industry? How might this affect their determination of appropriate building contractor and best timing?

2. Should the recent indication that F&C intend to submit a planning application for the same land, persuade Waverley Borough Council that, (acting as neither landowner, nor planning authority, but simply community representatives), they should reconsider what is the right outcome for the town of Farnham and surrounding areas, and welcome this new application?

3. Will the present gas works in Farnham, enable a sensible, a realistic (if not strictly scientific) assessment of the likely impact on town traffic of the East St. scheme?

4. The F&C sketch seems to includes a cinema potentially doubling as a theatre - does this offer a politically acceptable and popular way of meeting theatregoers' needs, as well as the youth that we assume want and will use the cinema?

5. Could F&C be persuaded to include in their application the North side of East Street, thus pleasing everyone who hopes to be rid of this eyesore?

6. Is the scheme viable?

Planning Applications 16th July 2008

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

WA/2008/1209: 18/06/2008
Proposed Development: Erection of extensions and alterations. Mayfield House, Switchback Lane, Farnham.
E: 482922 N: 143507
Case Officer: Mrs J Hammick

Applicant: C Bolton, Mayfield House, Switchback Lane, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4BB
Agent: Mr Philip Morgan, 8 Bourne Grove, Lower Bourne, Farnham, Surrey GU10 3QT
--
WA/2008/1257: 11/07/2008
Proposed Development: Erection of detached double garage and conversion of existing attached garage to habitable room. 9 Echo Barn Lane, Farnham.
E: 482733 N: 144378
Case Officer: Western Area Team

Applicant: M Stevens, 9 Echo Barn Lane, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4NQ
Agent: R Barriball, R&B Building Consultants Ltd, Wendover, Bagshot Road, Knaphill GU21 2SG
--
WA/2008/1268: 29/05/2008
Proposed Development: Erection of new dwelling following demolition of existing dwelling. Minadhu, Manley Bridge Road, Rowledge.
E: 482453 N: 143708
Case Officer: Western Area Team

Applicant: Rowledge Homes Ltd, Bend-Or Cottage, 35 Rosemary Lane, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4DD
Agent: Michael Conoley Associates, Serendipity, 9a Compton Way, Farnham, Surrey GU10 1QY

Vinvolved

Received a nice email today from Philip Evans, Youth Volunteer Advisor to a new volunteering project in Guildord and Waverley: Surrey vinvolved. I don't know Philip, but reading his email made me go the website and the opportunities look great.

Philip is specifically wanting to find out about needs in our community that can be fulfilled by young volunteers. Please get in touch with him if you think you can identify such a need, or possibly be part of a volunteering tearm.

Lessons Learned

This is a phrase I most commonly associate with the project management I do to earn a living, but today I'm quoting it in response to a bit of DIY I did this evening. I say 'a bit' as I don't like DIY, and so blogging about it was much more preferable and will probably take up more time!

You see, I dislike gloss painting so much, that I even put off peeling the masking tape away after having done it. And this time I've left it way too long. Basically, the masking tape is now one with the pane of glass in the french doors. I tried vinegar (red wine vinegar to be exact, as it was the only thing like normal vinegar in the cupboard, and my wife thought it probably out of date anyway). Well, that didn't work.

So I went to my wife's second suggestion (note how my wife is actually much more practical than I) which was white spirit, and it's working remarkably well.

You'll be thinking by now "what on earth has this got to do with local politics?" Nothing actually, but browsing my emails regarding Waverley today there was nothing that jumped up and said "Blog about me!", and so my on-off relationship with DIY made the cut.

SOS Part 2

And this time SOS really is an appeal for help. I never realized that there were so many different schemes for grant giving at Waverley. From the Sponsored Organisation Scheme to the Compensatory Grants to parishes. And including disretionary rate relief (one could argue) and certainly the voluntary grants panel.

There's a long history behind some of these - how they came to be, and the original intentions. A key question is whether they've become so static (except for inflation), that they are only grants in name. Should we review the way in which these things are calculated, or conduct a more root and branch review into why they exist in the first place?

SOS

I'm off to the council offices shortly - a meeting with officers regarding the Sponsored Organisation Scheme. It's a little early in the year to be thinking about it, but we're looking through its structure in an effort to think about how the guidelines and parameters for making awards are set, and what improvements can be made, if any.

Reasons to be cheerful

ONE
The summer BBQ of the South West Farnham branch of the local Conservative Party was excellent. We were blessed with great weather, great food, and good company. Our 13 month old son reveled in the massive garden including climbing frame and slide, and a toy car just his size. I was more focussed on the fantastic desserts - but then again, so was he!

TWO
A three minute conversation with someone made my day. Vicariously it began to heal what is presently a difficult situation, and whilst the relationships won't be immediately fully restored, I feel a corner has been turned, and I'm immensely grateful.

THREE
An emotional service at church tonight, when a Venezuelan lady was baptised, and during her testimony beforehand, very tearfully thanked the church for being her extended family, as with no biological family present, we were her friends, and her fellowship. Tears of sadness mingled with tears of joy.

Traffic (Mis)Management

Click here to see the traffic order that I received in the post this morning.

Whilst it's not strictly in the ward or Wrecclesham and Rowledge, I'm convinced it's going to cause some pretty ugly traffic problems over the summer. Bus routes, school runs (come September), lorries getting confused by satnav - you name it, I'm concerned that Wrecclesham and Shortheath are going to grind to a halt. Lots of residential routes are going to be used the lorries that presently (and already frustratingly) rumble through Wrecclesham, and then circumvent the low railway bridge by cutting along Weydon Lane.

I'm not saying there's anything better, and that these diversions aren't necessary - they are, and I'm sure the Highways team at Surrey County Council have identified the nearest available routes - but this must be seen in the light of years of campaigning for a Wrecclesham Bypass - if one existed then so much of this imminent nightmare could be avoided.

For a map of the area, see my map of the ward - I've drawn on the area of the closure.

Selling our soul?

Good news on two counts:

(1) The report out today on privacy of data is recommending decisive action to disallow the selling of electoral roll information by local councils. In today's modern web-enabled world, the abuse of such data leads to the calls and emails that we all label 'spam', and frankly blights our days.

(2) A source at the council tells me that they'd much rather not sell the electoral roll at all, and whilst they only do so to a small handful of organisations each year, and make very little money from it, it's something they currently are obliged to do under existing legislation. With 40% of voters opting out, it's not much use in the grand scheme of things, but it would still give tens of thousands of names and addresses to recipients.

I'm completely in support of a ban on this activity.

Interview with Jeremy Hunt MP

Jeremy Hunt is MP for South West Surrey, and Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Read his parliamentary biography here. Visit his website. Read his blog.

(1) How has your shadow cabinet role been going recently?

I am lucky enough to have been given a very wide-ranging and interesting brief, with many areas that really strike a chord with the public. It's a busy time - there's on-going work to ensure the 2012 Olympics deliver a genuine sporting legacy; restoring the National Lottery to its original four pllars so more funding goes to arts, sports, heritage and charities; and looking at the future of broadcasting.

(2) When was the last time you visited the borough ward of Wrecclesham and Rowledge, and why were you there?

I was in Rowledge last Friday to inspect the red phone box there. Around half of the BT payphones in Waverley, including 33 traditional red boxes, are under threat of being removed so I am fighting to save them. I have set up a petition on my website, which I would urge people to sign if they want to save their local red phone box and I will be meeting with BT next week.
The same day, I visited Farnham Pottery in Wrecclesham, where I had a delicious blueberry cake at Smith & Causey’s tea room!

(3) I've been viewing your new YouTube channel videos. Have you had much feedback about them?

I have been really pleased with the response I got to my venture onto YouTube. I think it's a fun way to get a sometimes serious point across and it reaches lots of people that I might not normally communicate with – my video about this year's budget has been watched 1141 times so far! I was especially pleased to get emails from some of my younger constituents saying that they liked what I was doing.

(4) Blogs that comment on the national political scene are now common - how important do you believe blogs will become for more local issues and communities?

I am a strong believer in localism so I think local blogs can play a really important role in local communities by providing a forum for discussion, a portal to local information and a way of holding elected persons to account. I think your blog is leading the way in Waverley and I hope other areas and other councillors will follow suit.

(5) How do you balance your own opinion on issues, in cases where the majority view of your constituents is the opposite?

I think you must vote with your conscience, even if you believe that a majority of your constituents have a different view. Although that circumstance does not often arise, I think that when people vote for me they are putting their trust in me to make judgements on their behalf on the basis of the facts and the issues as I understand them. Ultimately, the way our democracy works - rightly in my opinion – is that if people disagree with me over too many issues they have the power to take those decisions out of my hands when a General Election comes.

(6) You've demonstrated an unusual level of openness in your letters to the Herald, and other means such as YouTube. Do you have a particular approach to communications that you can outline?

I am keen to embrace new modes of communication, so that I can reach and engage as wide a group of people as possible. I especially like the interactivity that new media offers: I believe that the way to restore trust in politics and politicians is by moving from one-way communication to two-way interactive communication. I want my constituents to know what I am doing and thinking (and to be able to respond) so launched my blog and YouTube page to make that a bit more entertaining and accessible to them.

(7) The Waverley website is hosting a poll to discover residents' favourite places in the borough - for where would you vote?

My favourite place is sitting in my living room in Red Lion Lane looking out over the meadows and the tower of St. Andrew's Church - when the sun is shining!

(8) Do you have a creed that you live by, and can you summarise it in 3 sentences?

Victor Frankl, the Holocaust survivor, said that happiness is not something that can be pursued, but it ensues when you devote yourself to a cause that is greater than yourself. I think that's not a bad philosophy, even if it's sometimes hard to live up to.

(9) Why did you want to be an MP?

I grew up in a happy family in a lovely Surrey village - a great start in life that many people do not have. So I always felt the need for a part of my life to be devoted to public service in one way or another. Being an MP gives me the opportunity to do that and I consider it to be a great privilege.

(10) What's your favourite coffee?

I have a decaf filter coffee for breakfast and then a regular supply of cappuccinos throughout the day. By lunchtime I am on caffeine overload!

Planning Applications 9th July 2008

There are no new applications for me to report this week, but I will use this post to mention one that I've been informed will go before one of the next two Western Committees (30/07 or 27/08): WA/2008/0645.

It's the application I blogged about last week - the land to the rear of 86 Boundstone Road that is tricky due to the status of the land under consideration, and the history of use of the site. My main aim is to allow this to be heard in public: for councillors to consider such a tricky situation with an eye to the future, especially for neighbours of the site, and with regard to risks of precedent setting.

I'm really annoyed with BBC Radio 2

They simply can't report the proper sense of what David Cameron says. Instead of pointing out that his speech in the constituency of Glasgow East yesterday said that 'some' of the poor in our country are poor because of their own choices, they decided to quote him without the sense of 'some', and imply that he said 'the poor', as if it were all of them.

I get so annoyed! Why is it so difficult to report accurately the words of our political leaders? And it works both ways. I'd much rather they report Gordon Brown's words without prejudice, and enable listeners to respond to the actual speech / event / report, rather than something that sounds like the original, but really isn't.

And my point isn't whether David is right or not. My point is that without much more honest reporting, the electorate doesn't stand a chance of distinguishing between the real ideologies of any party.

Rowledge Village Design Statement

Today I've emailed out to a number of Rowledge residents who have expressed an interest in learning more about a village design statement. Following on the learning curve of setting up such a group in Wrecclesham, I'm simply seeking interest, with a view to holding a meeting one evening in August, when myself and Sarah Wells from the planning of Waverley can give an overview of what such a statement is, and how it is created.

You find out move by visiting my earlier posts. If you do think you'd like to join then now is a good time, and everyone is welcome.

Saints, not celebrities

"The day will not belong to the celebrities, but to the saints."

The quote above is from our pastor's sermon this morning. He was speaking from 2 Corinthians 4, and passionately advocated a life of servanthood rather than one seeking prestige: that it is so much more important to see what is on the inside, rather than the outside (alluding to Samuel's search for a new King of Israel to succeed Saul), and being directed by God to David, who was in no way what Samuel thought the next King would look like!

I hope that I'm able to live this out to some extent, and allow this aspiration to be part of the way I serve as a councillor.

50 and going strong

What a wonderful day it has been at the Weydon School 50th Anniversary celebrations and reunion. Beautiful weather, a lovely atmosphere, and very joyful to see so many old friends meeting up, and the present pupils providing music, parking attendance, and general guidance. Here's to 50 more years.

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".