horndeanmatters

So, as one of my last posts as your District Councillor I am pleased to update you on the election results in Horndean, our adjacent villages and the wider picture at EHDC.

After the polls closed late this evening the ballot boxes were taken to Petersfield where the votes were validated (counted to make sure the right number of used and unused ballot papers are there) which takes about 2 hours. The wards are then finally counted – a process that takes about 4 hours.

This is however a very tense period… The votes are put onto the tables and counted and checked by a second party. During this the candidates and their agents are able to witness the process – usually with clipboards making notes on the numbers of votes they can see to get an early view of the result.

Trust me. After a number of years working hard in our community you want to know you were worth voting back in again. If you weren’t then…

The formal counting process is lengthy and with 40 to 50 counters and managers supervising the process it is fast moving and difficult to keep track of.

Yesterday EHDC had 43 conservative and 1 independent as the makeup and this has long been overdue for redress. It is time that there was an effective opposition. Previously our opposition has been fellow Councillors paddling in the wrong direction. Tonight a few of these members found their selves out of office.

So, what were our local results?

Sara Schillemore (Conservative) Horndean Catherington Lovedean – uncontested

Tony Denton (Conservative) takes on Downs Ward

Chris Hatter (Conservative) takes on Hazleton Blendworth ward

David Evans (Conservative) secures Hazleton Blendworth ward

Elaine Woodward (Liberal Democrats) wins Horndean Murray ward from Lynn Evans

Ken Moon (Conservative) Clanfield

Chris Hatter (Conservative) Clanfield

Malcolm Johnston (Conservative) Rowlands Castle

A very hearty congratulations to everyone who was re-elected and whatever the party politics hopefully they will represent the local community first and foremost.

At the wider EHDC the votes were as follows:

Conservative Party 32 seats

Liberal Democrats 7 seats

Labour 2 seats

Independent 2 seats

Some of the interesting outcomes of the evening…

We knew that there was a large Anti-Government feel with the way Brexit is being handled. This was reflected not only in the vote but also in the number of ‘spoiled ballots’ where ballot papers are used not to cast a vote but instead to write a message giving a view on the candidate, or in this case politics in general. Some of the spoiled ballots were very carefully thought out with their remarks. In some cases the number of spoiled ballots exceeded the number of candidates votes…

The Green party had a large number of candidates in the elections and started to gather a number of votes in some wards.

The turnout at the polls was about 30% to 35% which is larger than was anticipated.

Whoever you voted for thank you for voting – and hopefully the newly elected members will look after our interests well!

Best wishes

Guy.

So we have local elections on the 2nd May for District and Town, Parish Councils across the district. Below are some of the key dates and on this Grand National weekend, details of the runners and riders.

On Thursday 2nd May it is up to you to identify the thoroughbreds to appoint and the old nags to retire…

This year I am standing down and welcome Tony Denton, a Horndean resident and successful young businessman as the candidate to stand in Downs ward where he also lives.

At this time we also remember Cllr Nigel Wren from Clanfield who passed away just over a week ago. Arthur Agate, a Clanfield Resident, is standing in Nigels place.

Cllr Elaine Tickell who represented Hazleton Blendworth ward is also standing down and deserves acknowledgement too for work in the village centre and on LEOH from her community with Christopher Hatter standing in her place.

Brexit…

One plea – Don’t blame the candidates in these elections for the pantomime that is going on in Westminster at the moment. It is not in their control (our councillor candidates as well as the government…) and as well as being disheartened by it like everyone else it is important that the local Councils are well represented by competent people who are committed to delivering local issues and doing so well for the next 4 years.

Key Dates (The Hurdles On The Course):

• 4th April – List of candidates announced
• 12 April – Issue of first postal ballot packs
• 12 April midnight-  Deadline for receipt of voter registration
• 15 April – Update on list of candidates (removes any who have withdrawn)
• 15 April 17:00 – Deadline for changes of address or postal ballot application
• 18 April – final issue of postal ballot packs
• 25 April – Publication of final notice of elections (following any final withdrawals)
• 2 May 07:00 – Polling Stations Open.

Changes to the course!

1. Ward Boundaries have changed to all wards following a periodic review to balance the house numbers in each ward. Some of Catherington Lovedean has gone to Downs and Murray. there are changes across the district – see earlier post for a copy of the map.
2. Kings and Hazleton Blendworth wards have merged into one ward with two Councillors so you will need to vote for two candidates in this ward. The new ward is called Kings and Blendworth.
3. Polling stations have been moved – for example Downs is no longer in a local restaurant but a church hall.

Full Disclosure or anonymity?

This year candidates are for the first time able to withhold their address from the public register. The disadvantage is we do not then know if the candidate we are considering even lives in the local community. It also is not very transparent. You can only effectively represent the ward if you live in the community.

On the Runners and Riders list below I have noted the address or if this has been withheld. I am very happy to update this for any candidate with a witheld address if they contact me with details and proof of address.

Runners and Riders!

The First Trophy!

As an unopposed candidate Cllr Sara Schillemore who has represented Catherington Lovedean since 1999 is returned without an election.

Corrections:

Please contact me if there is any inaccuracy or if you are a candidate wishing their address to be updated and I will be very happy to revise the post.

Parish Council Elections:

Rowlands Castle and Horndean Parish Councils had their members returned and voted in without contest. Clanfield sees an election.

Horndean Parish Council – Elected Candidates

Catherington Ward:

• Elaine Tickell
• David Evans
• Vacancy

Downs Ward:

• Richard Veitch
• Carolyne Jacobs
• David Alexander

Kings and Blendworth Ward:

• Lynn Evans
• Irene Weeks
• Paul Beck
• Vacancy
• Vacancy
• Vacancy

Horndean Murray Ward:

• Andy Forbes
• John Lay
• Vacancy

Clanfield Parish Council – Candidates For Election

• John Bannell
• Rosemary Clarke
• Laurent Coffre
• Terry Collins
• Stephen D’Este Hoare
• Brian Foster
• David Harris
• Peter Hurst
• Sally Thomas
• Margaret White
• Stephen Williams

Rowlands Castle Parish Council – Elected candidates:

• Colin Ball
• Michael Cross
• Liz Lonmgman
• Jon Moss
• Chris Stanley
• Bill Wilson

Rowlands Castle Finchdean

• Andy Lee

A full list of the candidates are here May 2019 local elections

It is with great sadness that we saw the passing of Cllr Nigel Wren earlier this week.

Nigel had been battling cancer for several years and was a firm example of someone fighting back very hard. Treatment included many lengthy stays at both QA and University Hospital Southampton and he was due to undergo stem cell replacement shortly.

Nigel spoke very highly of every part of his care and support and also helped to secure grant funding for improvements in the wards.

I was so very sorry to hear of Nigel’s death. Nigel fought hard against the cancer for two and a half years but sadly lost the battle yesterday. My thoughts at this time are with his family and particularly his wife Brenda. Cllr Sara Schillemore

Hazleton Country Supplies which relocated from Hazleton Farm to Clanfield a short while ago is a family business he set up and ran. Along with his business which served the local community he was also a HORNDEAN Parish Councillor and a Clanfield District Councillor. Brenda and the family will be in our thoughts.

Please feel free to leave comments on this blog post to pay tribute to Nigel.

HORNDEAN Parish Council are holding their AGM on Monday 8th April at 7:00pm at Jubilee Hall. One of the agenda items is Aquind whre representatives of Aquind will be present. As always all are welcome.

CVRA would like local residents and supporters to Save the Date of Saturday 22nd June 2019 for their Summer ‘Big Lunch’. Tickets will be available from the 1st May and I will post an update blog when they are available.

The sun is booked again for this year 🙂

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The South Down Group would like to invite you to their next meeting – “Help Our Hedgehogs. As always all are very welcome!