Roger Newman

This post is not so much about what I have been doing, But I would like to think that as Liberal Democrat Councillors we are here to represent You the people (so often forgot by other parties) by doing the best we can to help and serve those we represent, be it the big or small issues.

Recently I  heard of a Family who have lost their cat Tommy ! and want to use this space of my website in the hope that it may help reunite Tommy to his owners.

Named after his similarity to the cartoon Character, Local Yateley residents Alison and Jim Shields are offering a £50 reward for Tommy’s return.

He was last seen in the Tudor Drive area on August 26 and They have been searching for him ever since. Tommy is solid grey with dense white fur like his namesake of Tom and Jerry, yet does not have a collar, he is however micro-chipped.

Mr and Mrs Shields said they are desperate to have their pet back and really miss him.

Tommy who walks with them in the woods, to the shops and sleeps on their beds in turns,  is a real companion cat.

Last seen in the Tudor Drive area of Yateley though he may have travelled some distance since.

Anyone with information can call Pet Log on 0870 606 6751. He is registered at Kynoch & Partners in Yateley 01252 873569. Alternatively, Mr Shields can be called on 07734 290090.

This week I have been at the Liberal Democrats Autumn Conference, I have been pleased to Vote on two motions very relevant to us here in this area.

Decent Housing

Ensuring those in local Authority and Housing association Houses are entitled to a decent standard of accommodation, A promise made by Labour when they came into power only later to retract on. There are instances in parts of the country where Bathrooms have no hot water, Bedrooms have windows which don’t close and room where Central heating does not work. NO PERSON should have to endure this and I am pleased to back a Policy that The Liberal Democrats would enforce if in power to ensure a decent level of housing for all !

for more information click here

Tackling Youth Unemployment

I also voted to call on the Government to:

1) Fund 10,000 extra university places and invest additional resources into Foundation Degrees, to be paid for by scrapping the wasteful VAT cut.
2) Fully fund the off-the-job costs of apprenticeships for over-18s, diverting the necessary funding from the ‘Train to Gain’ programme.

Full details can be read here

Despite Contact with the communications companies little is being done to improve services to Frogmore and Darby Green, despite many engineers agreeing that the cables in the ward are overdue for replacement!

I will shortly be starting a full campaign so watch this space to see how you can help.

Lib Dem County Councillors David Simpson and Adrian Collett are calling on residents in North East Hampshire to sign the petition below to stop an EU law being enforced which would prevent local firefighters from being ‘on call’, and having full-time jobs outside the fire service.

A number of villages in North East Hampshire depend on ‘retained’ firefighters like these. If an EU law limiting working hours to 48 per week is enforced in full, fewer firefighters will be available to local fire stations.

Cllr Simpson, who is also a member of Hampshire Fire & Rescue Authority, said, “In rural areas like ours those firefighters on call can mean the difference between life and death. Sign our petition NOW at www.tinyurl.com/hantsfire 

As a result of the winter weather last weekend there have been some problems with the District rufuse collections in many parts of the area. 

Latest information from Hart District Council is

“Priority will be given to Black Bin collections. Recycling crews will take any excess when collections return to normal

Residents who have not had their black bins collected should leave them out for collection, all blue bins and glass crates should be removed from verges and pavements. If you can do so safely, please take your glass to the nearest bottle bank.

If your blue bin was due week beginning 2^nd February then this service has been suspended and we will take excess waste on your next blue collection day, due the week commencing 16^th February.

 Further updates can be found at   www.hart.gov.uk  or by contacting Hart district council direct by telephone 01252 622122.

The  public Inquiry into the proposed redevelopment of the Pyestock North site. opens at 10.00 a.m. at the Hitches Lane Leisure Centre. Tuesday 25th November

After the first day, the Inquiry will be held in the Council Chamber at the Civic Offices in Harlington Way, Fleet, although there will be a session in the evening of Thursday 4December starting at 7 p.m. back at the Hitches Lane Leisure Centre for those who are unable to attend the Inquiry and give evidence during the day.

The Inquiry will normally sit between 9.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. on Tuesdays to Fridays.

 As I have previously stated on this site. I believe the proposals are on a scale which the local area cannot cope with, the vast amounts of HGV vehicles and traffic congestion will become unbearable.

In Frogmore and darby Green traffic is already crazy at peak times and I will be attending the inquiry and keeping a close eye on how the development proposals will have impact on Frogmore and Darby Green. I will be in attendance on Day 1 and other days when available.

For a larger view click here

last year Hart District Council was awarded £200,000.00 from the Big Lottery Fund to provide new play areas for teenagers throughout the district.  They made the decision to spend half of this money in Yateley, and chose the Monteagle Open Space as the preferred location.  Following concerns expressed by residents about the proposed location, the Town Council has agreed to consult with local residents and other interested parties in order to gain their views about siting the equipment at this location or two alternative locations, namely Darby Green Playing Fields or Yateley Green.  No specific locations have yet been identified on the latter two sites, although the identified site at Monteagle is adjacent to the existing play equipment. A picture of the proposed play equipment can be seen above and the town council welcome any comments that you have as to the suitability or otherwise of any of these three sites.  It would also help if you could indicate your support or otherwise for the general principle of installing this equipment in the parish of Yateley. 

Please send your comments to the town clerk, by email play@yateley-tc.gov.uk or by post to Council Offices, Reading Road, Yateley, Hampshire GU46 7RP . The closing date for comments will be Friday 19^th December.  

Many people have visited French markets in various places around our region.

Now Yateley Town Council has given permission for a market to visit Yateley for local residents to take advantage of the many delicacies available at these markets on our own doorstep.

Saturday 13th December - Midday till 4pm

Yateley Council office car park - Reading Road, Yateley

Hampshire Constabulary receives calls from dozens of people who have been frightened by trick or treaters. It might seem like innocent fun, but it can be terrifying for elderly or vulnerable people.

Print off your poster and place it prominently in a front window tonight where it can be clearly seen from the doorstep. Hopefully the message will get across to trick-or-treaters that it’s pointless them knocking at your door.

Follow these tips to help keep everyone happy and safe this Halloween

Some advice for the elderly or vulnerable members of our community staying home this Halloween:

-If you do not know who is calling at your house you do not need to open the door
-Try to see who is at the door by looking through a spy hole or window before opening the door
-If you have a chain on your door – keep this in place when opening the door
-If you feel threatened in your home please contact police. To report any incidents of anti-social behaviour in your area call Hampshire Constabulary on 101, the single non-emergency number. In an emergency always dial 999.

If you have young children:

-If your child is going outside in a costume – make sure they are wearing reflective clothing or add reflective tape to their clothes.
-Never let them go trick or treating on their own.
-Make sure you accompany them and only visit people you know.

If you have teenagers:

-Carry a torch and consider road safety at all times.
-Make sure they don’t have access to fireworks,alcohol, eggs or flour.
-Explain why they must not play tricks on strangers.
-Tell them that if nobody answers the door, or a ‘No trick or treat’ sign is on display, they must leave immediately.
Remind them to stay with their friends and make sure they know that they should never enter the home or accept a lift from a stranger.
If your child is going outside in a costume – make sure they are wearing reflective clothing or add reflective tape to their clothes.
Children should carry a mobile phone in pockets or bags if they have one.
know where they are going and what time they will be back

remain safe this halloween and remember to report any incidents of anti-social behaviour in your area call Hampshire Constabulary on 101, the single non-emergency number. In an emergency always dial 999.

Cllr Roger Newman has over the last week been speaking to local shop owners in Frogmore and Darby Green about the credit crunch and how trade is being hit. One local shop which is mainly an estate agent is now selling party wear, cards and other stationary “To help pay the rent on the shop” another take away food shop owner said ” there are too many licences for food now and there is competition from surrounding areas”

lib Dem leader Nick Clegg announced yesterday how we should buy British and buy Local. read the full article here

Despite the awareness on a national level, Cllr Roger Newman believes that many residents are not aware what shops and services are on their own doorstep. We need to raise awareness of our shops and encourage local people to support them. why buy a takeaway meal for 2 from a Superstore when there is a local food outlet offering food prepared fresh by people who are using family recipes for the same type of food and at at similar price.

Cllr Newman is looking into getting our local traders together and to discuss ways how best to promote our local shops and business. Cllr Newman commented “Of the businesses I have spoken to the majority are in favour and see a need for raising awareness.”

According to a campaign by the Federation of Small Businesses, 42% of our towns and villages no longer have a shop of any kind. This shocking figure refers to “small towns” and villages in England. Specialised stores, including butchers, bakers, fishmongers and newsagents, have been closing at the rate of 50 per week - more than 2,000 a year - between 1997 and 2002, and have been replaced by out-of-town supermarkets and shopping centres

“We must protect our local shops, If we don’t support them we risk losing them”