tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65614400459478030492024-03-19T11:08:31.552+00:00Eli KlingA Wendover Watchdog
(Nothing is Certain But The Unforeseen)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561440045947803049.post-30915001786877170382013-07-10T23:24:00.000+01:002013-07-10T23:24:18.546+01:00My response to the HSE Environmental Statment
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I approach this response from the point of view of a casual cyclist
seeing continuous improvement in cycling friendly infrastructure. We should encourage
people to cycle to work and cycle for shopping.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although the residents call Wendover a village it is a market
town and this should be correctly described in section 2.1.3.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A guiding principle (9.2.1) should be that when possible,
land should be put to use to the benefit of the public. For example the roof of
the tunnel next to Wendover (2.2.9) could be used as a park or for allotments.
In both cases provision should be made for electricity and water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Along those lines, we have been seeking to purchase a couple
of acres for the purpose of growing plants and trees to support our garden
design business (</span><a href="http://www.acercorner.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.acercorner.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">)
but non are available as the only agricultural land for sale is sold in bulk to
speculative developers. Perhaps part of the land requisitioned for the works
could be made available to people with similar requirements and ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cycling<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was disappointed not to find a reference to cycling routs
and paths in the overview of the area. Sections 2.1.7, 2.3.23, 5.4.9 &
5.5.6 should have at least mentioned the ‘Chiltern Cycle way’ and ‘Sustrans Regional
Route 30’ (see </span><a href="http://www.chilternsaonb.org/cycleway.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.chilternsaonb.org/cycleway.html</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
& </span><a href="http://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The road upgrades and new roads should, by default, include
a separate & dedicated cycle path. Especially the Road upgrades to Small
Dean Lane and the access road to Grove Farm and the permanent link road between
Beacombe Lane and Ellesborough Road listed in section 2.2.8 & 2.2.9. See
also 2.3.21 & 5.5.6.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Perhaps the temporary diversion listed in 2.6.23 could be
turned into a cycle way once it is no longer needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is unclear what is the relevance of the 120 people per
day cut off mentioned in 12.4.5. If this is some kind of thumb rule then it
also should be applied to <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the discussion
in 5.5.5 of the cricket club. To my mind this makes no sense – this is a rural environment
and the usage is seasonal and peeks during holidays. Thus daily averages is an
inappropriate measure. Perhaps peek usage is more relevant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The evaluation of impact in general and specifically in 12.5.15
is relevant to motorised transport but does not consider cyclist where slightly
longer routs or changed gradients might pose a psychological or increased physical
challenge – worsening significantly the conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">12.6.2 states Bacombe Lane will be permanently closed.
Perhaps a shorter cycle link to Wendover could be provided <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as part of the mitigation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561440045947803049.post-78685509970412588982013-02-14T10:11:00.000+00:002013-02-14T10:11:45.084+00:00Positive campaigning for a change<div style="text-align: justify;">
Good news! Marion Clayton will be stepping down making way for fresh candidates to stand in the coming <a href="http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/moderngov/mgCalendarEvent.aspx?Id=1192&RPID=70080866">Bucks County Council elections</a>. I suppose all parties will put at the centre of their campaigns their (local) opposition to HS2 and the local development plans, pandering to the NIBYism that is prevailing – safe and boring. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Several people have suggested to me that this time round the Conservatives are not that strong in their Wendover seat since all the HS2 objectors will protest vote and not support the three main parties. That is a worry as this will mean that not voting will directly translated into support for the nasties such as the BNP and UKIP. This makes my decision as to whom to vote for a tough one; especially as I have a lot of time for <a href="http://stevebowles.yourcllr.com/">Steve Bowles</a> although he is standing for the wrong party – l’ll wait to see who the <a href="http://aylesbury.libdemsites.org.uk/">LibDems</a>, my favorite party, put up and whether there are any non-partisan candidates. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are several local issues that merit (positive) attention by the candidates: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<ol>
<li>Pledge to promote cycling – a good cycling network and places to lock the bicycle will ease the pressure on parking (leaving more spaces for customers) and promote tourism (such as to the Wendover woods). </li>
<ol>
<li>Bucks County council has scrapped the dedicated cycling team that was behind the Aylesbury cycling show town – a move in the wrong direction.</li>
<li>The existing cycle paths are in bad shape and many are not marked or signed clearly – leaving them unused.</li>
<li>Switching off the highway lights deters cyclists who are concerned about falling in a pothole. </li>
<li>The cycling network in Wendover is sparse and unconnected – joining it up will make it more attractive. Get Wendover Cycling (www.getwendovercycling.org) has worked a proposal you can see for now in <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=208023961963310870020.0004ccbeb3d1fa8c4812a&msa=0&ll=51.769964,-0.732651&spn=0.098579,0.198784">Google maps</a> (blue marks existing paths and the red the suggested links). </li>
<li>Elegant and good quality cycle locking facilities should be peppered along the cycling network. Especially at the Wendover Manor Waste and the Train Station. </li>
</ol>
<li>Public transport should be significantly improved. </li>
<ol>
<li>The frequency of the buses should be increased - including in weekends. </li>
<li>Halton should be served. </li>
<li>A link should be created between the Wendover Train station and Tring Train Station. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.wendoverswimmingassociation.co.uk/">A recent joint announcemen</a>t of the <a href="http://www.johncolet.co.uk/">John Colet School</a> and the <a href="http://www.wendoverswimmingassociation.co.uk/">Wendover Swimming Association </a> said that it is highly likely that the swimming pool at the John Colet School will not reopen. I hope the candidates standing for the BCC election will work to find a solution where the pool is saved – perhaps the <a href="http://www.wendover-pc.gov.uk/">Wendover Parish Counci</a>l could take it over – all it takes is some good will and adequate precepting (budgeting). </li>
</ol>
</ol>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I hope that the candidates concentrate on local issues. My personal (not evidence based) prediction is that the good people of the Wendover Ward will not change their voting pattern significantly. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Voting is an obligation as it is a right</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561440045947803049.post-7780915857579260362012-02-10T14:05:00.000+00:002012-02-10T14:05:12.379+00:00Do not waste tax money on litigation attack on HS2(This was written on Monday the 6th of Feb but due to a technical error was not published immediaty)<br />
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Oh dear, Oh dear, Oh dear. This evening Mr. Chapman, for whom I have a lot of time, asked the Wendover Parish Council for £50,000 on behalf of the Wendover anti-HS2 group. The purpose is to support a legal challenge to the consultation that took place last year. This is to be on different grounds to the 51M group that will be challenging “only” one aspect of the consultation. The Wendover anti-HS2 group want to join forces with other bodies to challenge the consultation on the environmental impact.<br />
<br />
<br />
It was to be expected that the people who were disappointed with the decision to go ahead with HS2 will take a scatter gun approach and try every avenue possible to bog down the HS2 project. I am sure the government has budgeted for a full battery of top notch lawyers. Remember, that is tax payer money and it has to come on the expense of something else – longer tunnels for instance. Now imagine Bucks County Council, AVDC, and Wendover Parish Council use your tax money to pay for QCs to mount the litigation. That means you and I will be paying for consultants, barristers, and QCs on both sides if we want it or not. The only people who benefit from litigation are lawyers.<br />
<br />
If people want to donate money to the anti-HS2 organisations that is their choice and based on last years’ experience, the donations will flow in. However, using tax money is another matter:<br />
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<ol><li>The government is about to enter a separate consultation on the impact to the environment. So challenging the consultation that is done and duster on this ground is wasteful and illogical.</li>
<li>We should be focusing on negotiating better noise mitigation measures and perhaps even an extra stop somewhere near Aylesbury. If we had the money they intend to collect (£180,000) we could build something ourselves on top of what HS2 LTD will do or just plant trees.</li>
<li>There is no clear evidence that most residents wish to spend money on such litigation.</li>
<li>I believe that most people holding public office and working in the public sector have good intentions, are mostly competent, and try to do what is right for the UK (that said, I also believe that the scrutiny generated by our political system helps keep them such). Moreover, I would be surprised if the opposition to the consultation was not for-predicted. Therefore, I would expect that the consultation was carried out with great care. As do BCC & AVDC conduct their own consultation. Thus, the likelihood of a significant, substantial win of a legal challenge is very low in my mind.</li>
<li>Once a consultation is over, lets move on to the next base and ensure minimum impact on Wendover, maximum compensation, and improvement to facilities such as roads, parking, cycle routes and public transport.</li>
</ol><br />
As a closing note: The HS2 project has evoked a very emotional response that has seemed to sweep the village. This group-think has created a situation that opinions that are not aligned with the “correct” thinking are treated as high treason. Please, please, please, do not attack people that think differently to you – respect them for their courage to voice an alternative view.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561440045947803049.post-51841904798683330922011-06-20T21:11:00.000+01:002011-06-20T21:11:09.618+01:00And here we go again<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<span lang="EN-GB"></span><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Worrying, very worrying, but not unexpected. I really, really, really wanted to believe that the new and veteran parish councillors would do their best to conduct their work in a good if not pleasant atmosphere. I predicted that there would be some friction but I expected it much later. I was wrong, already in the June meeting there were singes that several councillors “were not trying their hardest” to get along with the Parish Clerk – Fiona. But I was not prepared for the statement Fiona’s husband, Tony, read out last week, at the July Parish meeting. After he sat down, there was a moment of silence and then with no comment the Parish council returned to the agenda. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Fiona is a very good Parish Clerk. She is very dedicated and has contributed much to the village. The people who would like to see her “put in her place” are those who are not happy with the way she sticks to the rules, regulations and the law.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Tony kindly provided me with the text he read – I think it speaks for itself:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">The role of the clerk is a strange one, the council appoint a clerk to advise what members can and cannot do.<span> </span>Individuals may not wish to accept that, but surely holding a public position carries responsibilities. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"></span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">What<span> </span>is not acceptable is that my wife, your clerk, has had to suffer being told how one of your new members ‘hates’ her, has been referred to as ‘that twit of a clerk’ to members of the public and how the first thing that a new member has on his agenda is ,’to get rid of the clerk’.<span> </span>Strange how some people think that everyone agrees with them but obviously not the ones who have been so offended as to wish to share these comments. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"></span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">Outstanding complaints are still to be addressed with new complaints against bullying and harassment.<span> </span>This will be an interesting situation as two of these people sit on your staffing committee, believing that they understand the very delicate matter of treating staff with dignity and respect.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"></span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">I believe that most of you are fair minded, but these issues have to be addressed for the sake of this council and more importantly as far as I’m concerned the sake of my wife, your clerk.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">Nights spent awake and visits to Stoke Mandeville in the middle of the night caused by stress and upset, are not acceptable and will not be tolerated.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">I also believe unless issues are dealt with, not only will you lose your very hard working and conscientious Clerk but the minority will once again bring this council to it’s knees and I’m sure to most of you that’s not what you want.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">Finally on a more personal note, I will not sit by and watch my wife, your clerk come home in tears because of a member or members of this council.</span></span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow";"></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561440045947803049.post-65326279595675451542011-05-07T18:52:00.000+01:002011-05-07T18:52:39.219+01:00results are inTo follow the <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">disappointments </span>of yesterday we have the results for the elections for the Wendover Parish Council:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3JDF6WRDk3iRst9CkKC0g519osn0ZpH80oiCJ1zMbBWIZzvRvctL7_fONnMZF_P3Q5C0R5E2cU2EXmogrlaJKCII-aU0AXmfF9jae74m1jv7ib8XHbQfcwzEQT3mJP_7viNQZonkyAs/s1600/Wendover+Parish+Election+Results+2011.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3JDF6WRDk3iRst9CkKC0g519osn0ZpH80oiCJ1zMbBWIZzvRvctL7_fONnMZF_P3Q5C0R5E2cU2EXmogrlaJKCII-aU0AXmfF9jae74m1jv7ib8XHbQfcwzEQT3mJP_7viNQZonkyAs/s320/Wendover+Parish+Election+Results+2011.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
There are 5,679 electors listed for Wendover. The Turnout is reported to be 49.1% which makes it 2,788 votes casted of which 125 were spoilt. The percents above are of the 2,663 counted voters.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: orange;">Although I did not get in, I find it encouraging that about a third of the voters supported me. I would hazard a guess that the people who voted for me did not vote for Marion Clayton.</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><strong>Congratulations to those who are going to represent us in the District Council and the Parish Council. I hope they do good – may the force be with them.</strong></span><br />
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The fist meeting of the new Wendover Parish Council is scheduled for Tuesday the 17th of May where a new Chair will be elected. Let’s hope that the new chair will not have the tough and thankless treatment the last few chairs experienced.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561440045947803049.post-6071285913489646902011-04-07T16:28:00.001+01:002011-04-08T21:35:40.060+01:00I am standing for the Wendover Parish Council 2011 ElectionsThose who know me and my involvement & interest in the parish life will not be surprised to find my name on the list of candidates for the Wendover Parish Council. <br />
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My interpretation of the ‘Big Society’ concept is that the Parish Council should take on more responsibilities and initiatives. The Aylesbury Town Council have been leading on actively taking over responsibility for local tasks that were done by AVDC and BCC. They had an up hill battle with the politrucs that did not want to downsize their empires. But the current atmosphere of cuts and local government focus will encourage AVDC and BCC to shed activities to the parishes where it make sense. I do not believe that they may be carried out by volunteers (I include in this the library service). Therefore, I would strongly support increasing the precept significantly – “<b><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">local taxes to drive local action, prioritised by the Wendover residents</span></i></b>”. <br />
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I am self employed and my current client is an hour’s drive away. I strongly believe that the parish council activities should be “work life friendly” allowing people of all walks of life and family stages to participate. An important step in that direction is getting the communications right. I know that the business as usual stuff does not really interest most people in the village. On the other hand, it is really frustrating when you do learn of something that gets your buck up only after it becomes a fact. A good example is the BCC and AVDC consultations that are actively circulated only to council members and Jo Blogs has to constantly monitor the websites to see what is coming up – one cannot even register on a mailing list.<br />
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I will endeavour to support innovative approaches to building design instead of the cramped show boxes mushrooming around us. Moreover, I sign up to the approach that people should be allowed to improve their home without too much intervention and Big Brother attitudes.<br />
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You will not be surprised to hear that I will actively encourage initiatives to improve the cycling and pedestrian environment in the town. <br />
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I would like to make a special note of one of the candidates for whom I have a lot of time – <b>Steven Worth</b>. Not only does he really care about the village but he got many projects done for very little cost. I will try and learn from him and follow his example. I think that one of his secrets is to not drop the ball when big issues excite the rest of the Parish Council and the Parishioners.<br />
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<b><u><span style="color: blue;">Candidates for the District Counsel Elections</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="color: #f1c232;"><b>Liberal Democrats</b></span><br />
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• Christine M. Smith<br />
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• Simon J. Weaver<br />
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• Katie Willis<br />
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<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Conservatives</span></b><br />
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• Steve Bowles<br />
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• Chris Richards<br />
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• Peter Stachan<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: blue;"><u>Candidates for the Wendover Parish Council Elections</u></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: blue;"></span></i></b><br />
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Stephen C. Worth <br />
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Bob Duggan (http://www.bobduggan.moonfruit.com/)<br />
<br />
Cheryl M. Stamper<br />
<br />
Tom Walsh<br />
<br />
Oliver Statham<br />
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Karen B. Saunders<br />
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Emma Louise Carroll<br />
<br />
Eli Kling<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Hussein Ghomshei<br />
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Marion Clayton<br />
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James Grant<br />
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Bob Lewis<br />
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Nicky Gregory<br />
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Jannifer A. Ballantine<br />
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Roz GreenAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561440045947803049.post-32345042674259497652010-03-26T22:50:00.000+00:002010-03-26T22:50:47.683+00:00Princess Mary Gate – Are they already trying to pull one over us?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1fgsP8pdchL2Y_9UxAZyJ8cuudsLvlDrhlEfzkotdn3RQCBEcu0C1jOV44lypdMPiwBuV1FLdqbhOTlzaswpKERdlWcNeqmlzzXTi0OVxISSjZIWBVQXYIOCsNlh2qJgBDqpoPjU_S4/s1600/Lambe+Rd+dev+before-after+email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1fgsP8pdchL2Y_9UxAZyJ8cuudsLvlDrhlEfzkotdn3RQCBEcu0C1jOV44lypdMPiwBuV1FLdqbhOTlzaswpKERdlWcNeqmlzzXTi0OVxISSjZIWBVQXYIOCsNlh2qJgBDqpoPjU_S4/s320/Lambe+Rd+dev+before-after+email.jpg" /></a></div>Wendover residents living near the new Princess Mary building site are up in arms again. A new planning application has been submitted. They claim it is for new units that are in excess of the original 400 permitted.<br />
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They have shared with me a letter sent to the Wendover Parish council<br />
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<i>RE: planning application 10/10/00157/APP<br />
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We would like to raise our objection to the planning application for the erection of three 3 bedroom houses and one 2 bed apartment at the site of NAAFI Babington Rd, Halton Camp. These homes were not on the original plans.<br />
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As you know, the Princess Mary Gate development of 400 dwellings and hospital was very controversial and many concessions have already been made. There was a strong feeling at the time from both councillors and the public that if we are to live with this development, no further homes should be added to the site. The site is next to and within an area of outstanding natural beauty and the development’s size is already an overbearing presence on the natural environment.<br />
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From our personal standpoint, the latest plan to build homes next to our property will have serious consequences regarding the following:<br />
</i><br />
<ul><li><i> Overshadowing</i></li>
<li><i> Overlooking and loss of privacy</i></li>
<li><i> Overbearing nature of proposal</i></li>
<li><i> Loss of trees</i></li>
<li><i> Loss of ecological habitats</i></li>
<li><i> Design and appearance</i></li>
<li><i> Layout and density of buildings</i></li>
<li><i> Effect on listed buildings and conservation areas</i></li>
<li><i> Noise and disturbance from the scheme</i></li>
</ul><i>With this in mind, we expect the Wendover Parish Council to have serious concerns about the site being further developed and with this latest application, the scale of the proposed dwellings considering the amount of space available and the proximity to other homes including our own.<br />
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To illustrate the consequences of the application, we have created a photo mock-up showing you the before and after effects of the plan (see attached). We have used an existing building from our area that matches the intentions of the developers, so it should be a close fit to the final look. Even if the design is different, the height is indicative. We have not included the one 2 bed apartment in this photo as we cannot envisage where it will be placed in such a small area of land, but we feel it will have a more negative impact and look more of an eyesore than the one already envisaged here.</i><br />
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Alas, I will not be able to attend the Parish Council meeting (I am not sure this subject will come up). However, People in the know have suggested the correct address is AVDC/Development Control where residents are allowed to present their objections.<br />
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Give them a finger they will want the whole hand.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561440045947803049.post-23385696611727596542010-01-10T22:57:00.014+00:002010-01-25T08:45:31.523+00:00Are the schools right to stay closed?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xF_RhGQt9xAImzCwxnn_9R-8eY7YvzUXuSS_GbSJvITA0u6Br-KxPtVkxYQLIYDnJZxFaj5dzYoB0dDUZL1HBQNQTH6CXRqEEhE72alaTQqUnoTZzzVJh4eLl86s5djpZ_0mNHB8dGk/s1600-h/Image0026.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425254027771113298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xF_RhGQt9xAImzCwxnn_9R-8eY7YvzUXuSS_GbSJvITA0u6Br-KxPtVkxYQLIYDnJZxFaj5dzYoB0dDUZL1HBQNQTH6CXRqEEhE72alaTQqUnoTZzzVJh4eLl86s5djpZ_0mNHB8dGk/s200/Image0026.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 150px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSI7WGikXUNjPgM44ZQ3d3W13y7ho7kcZY8hyVitaehClQTNpbNkuj3epC3T_G_0gMSy0F5X73Hw92LsJA7hh5K99G5qEcAFqms0poIvg5DBydTvJksbGSZy7faPzLmoXgV-8uYsFUj0/s1600-h/Image0028.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425254942046102370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSI7WGikXUNjPgM44ZQ3d3W13y7ho7kcZY8hyVitaehClQTNpbNkuj3epC3T_G_0gMSy0F5X73Hw92LsJA7hh5K99G5qEcAFqms0poIvg5DBydTvJksbGSZy7faPzLmoXgV-8uYsFUj0/s200/Image0028.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 150px;" /></a> <br />
<span lang="EN-GB">A joke that is timeless goe</span><span lang="EN-GB">s:</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB">The first Jewish president of the <country-region st="on"><place st="on">United States</place></country-region> is elected. He invites his</span><span lang="EN-GB"> mother to the inauguration. As she lives on the other side of the continent he arranges luxurious transport: Limos, military choppers, Air Force One. The works. At the White-House she is treated like a queen. Wh</span><span lang="EN-GB">en she returns home she meets a</span><span lang="EN-GB"> friend who asks her “I didn’t see you at synagogue, how was your weekend?” to which she </span><span lang="EN-GB">answers: “You remember my son the LAWYER? I visited his brother.”</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"></span><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB">Yes, I come from a culture where </span><span lang="EN-GB">education is paramount and the typical coveted career is of the high academic type; such as a scientist, a medical doctor or a lawyer. Howe</span><span lang="EN-GB">ver, American ambulance chasing has distorted law practice that used to be defending basic freedoms to stifling entrepreneurship and leadership. As has been the case with the closure of work places and schools over the last week. So I have stricken-out Law from my daughters ambition list and added Information Worke</span><span lang="EN-GB">r. The latter is the job of the future and will be increasingly done by telecommuting (working from home).</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"></span><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB">Presently, I am worki</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGzjoISh1AWMXoS7yFf8XbkchrBD_Wb04e4n9rS8mQwztcLCaFEpMpzOO2IxeGxckrL0mk7godtAlFmElJd-p2pG8guQ5x9QqKUTao9jPnK_Ym0psYQKsGWqpNNbN7QaCzNXhyqc97Zg/s1600-h/Image0024.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425252245803177986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGzjoISh1AWMXoS7yFf8XbkchrBD_Wb04e4n9rS8mQwztcLCaFEpMpzOO2IxeGxckrL0mk7godtAlFmElJd-p2pG8guQ5x9QqKUTao9jPnK_Ym0psYQKsGWqpNNbN7QaCzNXhyqc97Zg/s200/Image0024.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 150px;" /></a><span lang="EN-GB">ng on a project <country-region st="on"><place st="on">Wales</place></country-region>. Some of the people working aro</span><span lang="EN-GB">und me live in very rural settings and it was understandable they could not reach work. However, I observed a cl</span><span lang="EN-GB">ear pattern: the lion’s share of the p</span><span lang="EN-GB">eople who came in were contractors. In other words people who would not have been paid had they stayed home. QED: where there is a will there is a way. To be f</span><span lang="EN-GB">air there were a handful of employees who came in. One even walked for about an hour. But they were the exception rath</span><span lang="EN-GB">er than the rule.</span><br />
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</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB">Not convinced most schools in Buckinghamshire could have been open? Well what I experienced today proves that. With great trepidation my wife checked the school closure announcements on the BCC website. She called me over much exited. Basically, the message was that if enough parents showed up today (Sunday) with shovels the school will open. Naturally I was not the only parent to get there well before the allotted hour eager to clear away any excuses. As we worked more arrived. So man</span><span lang="EN-GB">y parents appeared much more than the minimum required was cleared. See pictures. So, it was not the roads that were a problem, nor the teachers not being able to leave their homes, nor the commute for some of the students – it</span><span lang="EN-GB"> was the school grounds. I believe, this issue could</span><span lang="EN-GB"> have been addressed earlier: The parents would have come earlier, community service ‘convicts’ could have been employed, the brownies and scouts could have been brought in, RAF Halton could have been asked to provide volunteers, parents with 4X4 could have lent a hand to getting students and teachers to school and so forth.</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4QYa3h6W5oJpGohyphenhyphenQAyee1SY4eedliIhRAHpnbQovHd8Y7iu5pP_u9DU5s8Yof3L52feRrs9sqpfjXRdK9Bg-JGOWccporp17Uh6GzO2coLQX0bRUZ1A8PGoArFHKxp1Cd2Ve_8_Xyw/s1600-h/Image0035.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425257329975851714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4QYa3h6W5oJpGohyphenhyphenQAyee1SY4eedliIhRAHpnbQovHd8Y7iu5pP_u9DU5s8Yof3L52feRrs9sqpfjXRdK9Bg-JGOWccporp17Uh6GzO2coLQX0bRUZ1A8PGoArFHKxp1Cd2Ve_8_Xyw/s200/Image0035.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 200px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" /></a><br />
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</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB">However, the item in the Buck Herald “<a href="http://www.bucksherald.co.uk/education/Are-schools-right-to-stay.5966782.jp">Are the schools right to stay closed?</a>” quotes BCC Councillor Clayton saying that the decision is taken by head teachers. I expect they also take into account the message BBC communicates between the lines as well as what their</span><span lang="EN-GB"> colleagues do. Contrast these two possible memos from BCC: ”You decide, but if something goes wrong its your head. Here is a list of things that can go wrong;” vs. “It is our patriotic duty to present a positive example and to help the ailing economy by freeing those that can work to do so. Use our British ingenuity, here are some ideas.” Yes, it is a matter of leadership (lack of). Note, There were head teaches that opened their schools if at least five teachers arrived, including the northern most school in Scot</span><span lang="EN-GB">land and other areas much more affected than Buckinghamshire.</span><br />
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</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB">BCC and AVDC have been too long in the hands of the conservatives. Their majority has induced a certain arrogance and complicacy in their approach to issues. W</span><span lang="EN-GB">e need new people that will bring enthusiasm, new ideas, originality and some Leadership rather than just doing the minimum legally required.</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WkIdrRMw0PQKQkCUfeF6V0fI_FkUs9Q3CKS1Wz-QHKUZQIdu49dHwvMH2TuCaABxXoULmzGFCYfMQlrC2YnjoWUVM9C6zP4ab_UNGAEMP6LZu-mXDWVQ9LK_zP8B-eGOkNVdIXsKrcE/s1600-h/Image0030.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425258307052957730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WkIdrRMw0PQKQkCUfeF6V0fI_FkUs9Q3CKS1Wz-QHKUZQIdu49dHwvMH2TuCaABxXoULmzGFCYfMQlrC2YnjoWUVM9C6zP4ab_UNGAEMP6LZu-mXDWVQ9LK_zP8B-eGOkNVdIXsKrcE/s320/Image0030.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561440045947803049.post-67414126815178955782009-12-10T15:15:00.004+00:002009-12-10T16:00:51.553+00:00The Wendover Library Facilities<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/kYc9s2Re79GBWZ0ea6-DjQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCO6Dh66__vbVsQE&feat=embedwebsite"><img style="WIDTH: 291px; HEIGHT: 198px" height="138" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_MER9CgV8OSo/SfhOe4eONLI/AAAAAAAADCc/bjcQlG9eO0Y/s288/L1030118.JPG" width="203" /></a> <br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Last Monday (7th Dec 09) the Wendover Parish Council discussed the disappointing news that AVDC is considering changing the rules of the game with regards to the Wendover Library car park charges and toilets. I cannot help imagining how it came about:<br /><br /><strong><em>Jim Hacker:</em></strong> I am in a catch 22 situation. We must cut drastically the budget but there are elections to AVDC in June. I am dammed if I cut services and I am dammed if I don’t.<br /><br /><strong><em>Sir Humphrey:</em></strong> That is easy. Lets divert the public’s attention from the real issues. Let’s start a war.<br /><br /><strong><em>Jim Hacker:</em></strong> OK, but lets make it many small wars. I notice the people of Wendover have been complaining there is not enough parking provision. So we can make money out of this scarce resource. Lets increase the parking charges and get the parking wardens on double shifts. How would you suggest we camouflage this? We tried it last year in Aylesbury and had to make a shameful U turn.<br /><br /><br /><strong><em>Sir Humphrey:</em></strong> A very good choice Sir. You might consider two diversions: abolish the first free hour of parking in the Library Parking and close the toilets.<br /><br /><strong><em>Jim Hacker:</em></strong> That will get them jumping. Nothing like closing the toilets to focus the attention. It is like the wife ‘holding her favours’ to ‘convince’ me to go on the trip to the USA; but really covering up for the affair she is having. Brilliant!<br /><br /><strong><em>Sir Humphrey:</em></strong> Err. Don’t look at me like that. It was not me hiding in your cupboard when you came home last night. May I suggest a slight improvement? Tell the Wendover Parish Council that the changes will take immediate effect. Suggest that if they do not take over the care of the toilets they will be closed next week. Just before the Christmas shopping rush.<br /><br /><strong><em>Jim Hacker:</em></strong> But they have not provided in the Precept for this … Ah, I see genius.<br /><br />I probably have given too much credit to the AVDC counsellors but we are in risk of missing the point if we only concentrate on the toilets issue – important as it is. The parish council is pushing back and requesting that AVDC improve the state of the toilets at the Library card park and hand them over to the WPC in an orderly manner and in a schedule that allows for percepting. In the long run this is a good solution as no matter if the cost comes out of AVDC or Wendover Parish Council budgets it boils down to our local taxes. So it is us paying for the facilities either way. I like the idea that the responsibility is transferring from District to Parish. It strengthens the case for Quality Status and the people responsible will probably will also be users of the car park – closer to the eye closer to the hart.<br /><br />Do not get me wrong. Good, clean and accessible public toilets are crucial to keeping our High Street survival. You just try finding alternative toilets in the pubs and coffee shops – go on lets see you.<br /><br />Whenever the Far-East is mentioned near my mother in law, she grimaces. Rightly or wrongly it has, in her mind, a connotation with filthy toilets. She has never been to the Far-East and we told her that her preconceptions are based on Chinese whispers (pan intended) and that we could plan a trip that will guarantee top quality facilities. But the stereotype is stronger than facts. My personal experience in Venice was not of grimy toilets (I could live with that) but of their absence. The hardship of the four days of the Carnival where the time between breakfast and dinner was spent with no prospect of even a urinal has scarred me for life – Over my dead body are we going there again. And don’t get me started about the pubs and coffee shops that lock their toilets. There are even McDonald's branches where the toilets are not accessible to all anymore.<br /><br />See! They did it. I got distracted from the issue I really wanted to write about – the implication of increasing the parking charges. Already the AVDC charges are skewed. The District has cynically opted for the advance payment ticket machine. This means one must guess the parking duration which as a rule results in overpayment and a stressful shopping experience.<br /><br />So, if they increase the parking charges I would like them to charge for the actual time parked. Especially if they will abolish the first free hour.<br /><br /><br />P.S. Apropos spinning miss-information, have a look at “<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2009/dec/09/sarah-palin-obama-boycott-copenhagen">Sarah Palin: Obama must boycott Copenhagen</a>” - When I finished reading it my belly ached from laughing until I realized how sad it is.</span><br /><br /> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/y9cusnKUkSmMOcQvTFHhvw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_MER9CgV8OSo/SxpmM_PDRBI/AAAAAAAAD9c/7Cqb6sAPZxs/s288/L1030783.JPG" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561440045947803049.post-82759827457030088052009-12-02T22:58:00.009+00:002009-12-02T23:43:39.304+00:00David Lidington: Lloyds GroupThe Bcuks Herald informed us on the 1st of December that "<a href="http://www.bucksherald.co.uk/news/Lidington-to-debate-HBOS-job.5872542.jp">Lidington to debate HBOS job cuts in Parliament tonight</a>". I found the text of this debate on <a href="http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2009-12-01a.1081.0&s=speaker%3A10361#g1081.2">TheyWorkForYou</a>. For a change, our MP did his homework and lists many interesting facts I was not aware of. If I were the editor of the Bucks Herald I would send my investigative reporters on trail set by this speech. The first investigation should be into why did the Bucks Herald miss most of these?<br /><br />Did you know that one in three in our Vale works in the public sector. This mainly covers BCC, AVDC, and the NHS Trust. Even if we subtract the NHS we are still left with a proportion that will not shame any communist system. In fact Mr. Lidington sais that the conservative administration in the last decade made things worse to the extent that "<span style="font-style: italic;">Aylesbury is often seen as linked either to the Thames valley and the M40/M4 corridor area of the south-east economy, or to Milton Keynes-or indeed to both. However, when we analyse the structure of Aylesbury's economy, we find that for a long time it has been less developed and less high-tech than either the Thames valley or Milton Keynes.</span>"<br /><br />Mr. Lidington said that "<span style="font-style: italic;">Like all the other growth areas, Aylesbury vale had a sizeable proportion-just under £2 million-of funding that the Government had provisionally allocated for next year withdrawn by the Department for Communities and Local Government in order to fund the so-called kick-start scheme for housing development. That clawback by the Department represented a reduction of almost half Aylesbury's original GAF budget for the next year and nearly 20 per cent. of the funding allocated over the entire three-year period.</span>" So They promised us money for the infrastructure for the new 9000 units and then took it away once the consultation was over. Nice move.<br /><br />He then goes on to make a few suggestions where the government might help (go read for yourself). While we are waiting with baited breath for the written response from Ian Lucas (Parliamentary Under-Secretary {Business and Regulatory Reform}, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills), I would like to add a suggestion of my own: we need a real university center here, teaching real sciences. A research center always attracts High-Tech.<br /><br />One of Lidingotn's suggestions informed me that "<span style="font-style: italic;">Government to accept the application made by Aylesbury Vale district council to be one of the pilot areas for the tax increment finance scheme.</span>" - Hay Bucks Heral! Why did you not report this? How about tacking this up as a campiagn. I think it is a briliant idea.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561440045947803049.post-30989186293340390112009-10-28T22:54:00.002+00:002009-10-28T23:16:25.286+00:00Budget Consultation<div style="text-align: justify;">Bucks County Council is asking us to fill in a <a href="http://www.bmgsystems.co.uk/bucksccp/KMS/elab.aspx">survey </a>pertaining to the 2010-2011 budget. These consultations always make me stop in my tracks: I would like to believe that we choose our representatives to local and national government so they could look closely at the details of any issue and use their manifesto to guide the decisions they make on our behalf. Instead we have glorified social workers who fear to take any controversial decision that might anger someone. Generally it is our fault; we constantly bash them no matter what they do and assume they are guilty of holding the worst human traits the moment we elect them. A better culture is found in Scandinavia where the general consensus is that the elected politicians have the good of the public as their rudder. Any parent will tell you that children live up to expectation. If we behave as if they are brilliant they will go the extra mile not to fail us. That holds also for adults in general and politician in particular. I suppose that one of the reasons for the attitude towards politicians is that people here vote for political parties like football fans choose which club to support – Loyal to the hilt with no relevance to performance.<br /><br />Back to the consultation issue, one may claim that this is the best way for local government to do their research and that if it is not conducted many would complain their point of view was excluded. I generally agree with this. However, the consultations I endeavoured to respond too always left me feeling I did not have enough information to form an opinion. Take the consultation about the budget. To respond properly, I would like to see past budgets and actual spends. I would like to know the details hiding behind general spend heading and what the people working for the council think. In short, information only a County Councillor (or a good reporter) may obtain or have the time to look into. The only people who might respond meaningfully are already involved in public life or have an agenda to promote.<br /><br />The way this particular consultation is designed is a neat marketing ploy: it seems BCC cares and you feel good as if you are participating. However, it would be hard to analyse as the questions are totally open. I hope the intrepid reporters of our free press will follow the budget closely and inform us if the consultation was addressed, whether the opposition scrutinized it, and whether the result makes sense.<br /><br />Here are my responses:<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">On which of the county council’s services do you think we should continue to spend your council tax and where should we make savings?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);"> i.e. where does more need to be spent and where should we make cuts</span><br /><br />People will gladly point where more money should be spent but will be hard pressed to indicate what services should be cut. To identify where budget should be increased I will focus on where I think services are lucking instead of listing all the services the council provides in order of importance. Two items that need improvement are transport and employment:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Transport</span> – there is a depressingly poor public transport service to the rural areas in Buckinghamshire. Just as an example there is no bus from Halton Village. Moreover, much much more needs to be done to encourage people out of their cars; be it cycling facilities or maintenance of public paths. It is the old Chicken and Egg conundrum: people do not travel by bus, cycle or walk because the facilities are near non-existent. Money will not be directed to these facilities because nobody uses them. Talk about lack of vision.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Employment </span>– Even before the recession kicked in Buckinghamshire has been bleeding jobs. this is partly because the transportation environment is a prohibitive hurdle to employers and mainly due to lack of correct initiative. Now that things cost less, it is the best time to invest in infrastructure that will encourage high-tech employers to open offices in our county when the economy improves.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where should the budget be cut</span>: Where bad decisions have led to waste. For example the move to the new offices. Performing poorly thought through consultations that were doomed before they saw the light of day.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0); font-weight: bold;">What is needed in your local area?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">i.e. within a 15 minute walk of where you live.</span><br /><br /><is><br /><ul><li>An efficient shuttle to the Wendover and Tring train Stations.</li><li>An efficient (at least every 12 minutes) bus service to Aylesbury, Tring and Amersham serving Halton and Wendover.<br /></li><li>Dedicated Cycle paths throughout the villages, safe enough for children to use on their way to school.</li><li>Extra cycle racks around the villages.</li><li>More Toucan crossings mainly on the Aylesbury Road, the High st. (opposite the Manor Waste) and most importantly on South Street near the new allotments and play area.</li><li>Better facilities for the Wendover Parish Clerk and her team.</li><li>The Library Room is overbooked and another such facility is required (as long as the rent is kept low)</li><li>More trees along the roads. e.g on the Manor Waste.</li><li>CCTV surveillance near the pubs and along the Wendover Arm Canal</li><li>A much more visible presence of the police and the PCSOs</li><li>Calming measures on the roads leading to the schools and probably turning these roads into a one way system.</li></ul></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561440045947803049.post-85903912393024090592009-08-23T11:06:00.009+01:002009-08-23T11:20:46.558+01:00Thoughts from Newport<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnQzy_cf02gjh3svt8LhfwnyElSTh4MVsNZuYCSdhF7XqsNrO8PN8VufTvt6IOsxp57Gud6oJ8jjFeYcZedHofVtJgJqVM-OsOmKRHES6VfIcgZURIDH0DTgE572UcxRpGhp6HCL28tg/s1600-h/Image011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnQzy_cf02gjh3svt8LhfwnyElSTh4MVsNZuYCSdhF7XqsNrO8PN8VufTvt6IOsxp57Gud6oJ8jjFeYcZedHofVtJgJqVM-OsOmKRHES6VfIcgZURIDH0DTgE572UcxRpGhp6HCL28tg/s200/Image011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373100305734786418" border="0" /></a>In the last couple of months I have been working in the Wild West – Newport in Wales. I always knew Wendover is a good place to live in. However, working and sleeping in a gray town where to get good food one need a car to go to Cardiff, makes me appreciate the quality of life we have here. I miss the green gardens, the picturesque houses, the ability to cycle to the center and to the Gym. When we came here, we thought the choice of food was limited compared to what we got used to in Vienna and Copenhagen (I still think that). The new owner of Budgens went some way to improve this buy offereing better brad and better products such as cheese & fish. Even though Budgens have cut back on the bread offerings (just the bread types we liked), they put to shame what I can get in NewPort. I find it hard to even but Scottish Salmon. The only food they seem to eat there is low quality Fish and Chips (I found a good one but it is hard to get there on a regular basis).<br /><br />Three things we can learn from the Welsh:<br />(1) Their bus service is better than the one available in Wendover. There is a bus every 10 minutes going from the town centre to a village similar in size to ours. And it does not stop running just when people are returning from work or theatre although it is less frequent.<br />(2) Local and National trains have a special bicycle section. I saw people taking their bicycles to Reading & London.<br />(3) It is a cycle friendly town – lots of dedicated bicycle lanes and many areas where the speed limit is 20MPH.<br /><br />And to balance this here are some things that I saw lately that pleased me very much and the good people of Newport may learn from:<br />(1) The new recycling centre at Aston Clinton – Wow, well done AVDC, modern, well planned & inviting.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_DC2O3VZL17d0ze91k71plqmYhoC2nGxQPGMMmCkFXYEsDCyGScspfkNH-ds0gdniFLMvE8QBgBeIJsRPIzWcyR9xoYG8gLjjFBtu_D2PHVdLjgZmnXMLrhPoAGVsvqi4LVZreUKCvk/s1600-h/Image002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_DC2O3VZL17d0ze91k71plqmYhoC2nGxQPGMMmCkFXYEsDCyGScspfkNH-ds0gdniFLMvE8QBgBeIJsRPIzWcyR9xoYG8gLjjFBtu_D2PHVdLjgZmnXMLrhPoAGVsvqi4LVZreUKCvk/s320/Image002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373099514256801442" border="0" /></a><br />(2) VAHT has provided a prize/grant for some on street public area landscaping. The residents of Holland Close took them up and the result is a significant improvement on the bland paving that was there originally. I hope it is kept in the preteen shape it is in now and that it would encourage others to do something along these lines.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1PcF3g_qEp_pdCp4tcUSIiVzhVKiaBbqpzfePVo4eN_c01XIL_xMI3uPto848dYjxoAvuhf45uBxcnC_T1gseXsg_nCeobKavwv_Fxyvu4U9voI5ro1oDy6IrJmnV4hJchNHSVegxSE/s1600-h/Image000.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 491px; height: 393px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1PcF3g_qEp_pdCp4tcUSIiVzhVKiaBbqpzfePVo4eN_c01XIL_xMI3uPto848dYjxoAvuhf45uBxcnC_T1gseXsg_nCeobKavwv_Fxyvu4U9voI5ro1oDy6IrJmnV4hJchNHSVegxSE/s320/Image000.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373101025688269730" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bUq46rH9JDdpBzRuMN1uUemyJyYZCXJSs8zHj-RRuNBQhHLsHZMP8wgwJXAycLWYuJFFMNJg-Ztsl7M1FEQKtd7NgqMUPs-hKZ0s4J_arHaItbCeJ2pFVnIoag7NiXBUXrCQrpHAzHE/s1600-h/Image001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 398px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bUq46rH9JDdpBzRuMN1uUemyJyYZCXJSs8zHj-RRuNBQhHLsHZMP8wgwJXAycLWYuJFFMNJg-Ztsl7M1FEQKtd7NgqMUPs-hKZ0s4J_arHaItbCeJ2pFVnIoag7NiXBUXrCQrpHAzHE/s320/Image001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373101433252891922" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1PcF3g_qEp_pdCp4tcUSIiVzhVKiaBbqpzfePVo4eN_c01XIL_xMI3uPto848dYjxoAvuhf45uBxcnC_T1gseXsg_nCeobKavwv_Fxyvu4U9voI5ro1oDy6IrJmnV4hJchNHSVegxSE/s1600-h/Image000.jpg"> </a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561440045947803049.post-18482175296711705482009-06-05T19:09:00.004+01:002009-06-05T19:48:01.963+01:00BCC election results 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://blog.pennlive.com/pennsyltucky/2008/07/Bush73108.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 89px; height: 119px;" src="http://blog.pennlive.com/pennsyltucky/2008/07/Bush73108.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Eli/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Eli/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Eli/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Eli/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-3.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Eli/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-4.jpg" alt="" /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">The results of the county elections are extremely disappointing in general nad in particular for Wendover: Well the people of Wendover got whet they deserve. I hope they will not be disappointed with the urbanization of our village they just voted for.<br /><br /></span></span><table class="mgStatsTable" summary="Table of election results"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="mgMainTxtBold">Party Name</th> <th scope="col" class="mgMainTxtBold">Seats Elected</th> <th scope="col" class="mgMainTxtBold">% of votes</th> </tr> <tr class="mgTableOddRow"> <td class="mgTopText"><img alt="Political party colour" src="http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/moderngov/mgImages/pixel-blue.gif" height="15" width="8" /> Conservative</td> <td>46</td> <td class="mgAlignRightCell">49.2%</td> </tr> <tr class="mgTableEvenRow"> <td class="mgTopText"><img alt="Political party colour" src="http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/moderngov/mgImages/pixel-yellow.gif" height="15" width="8" /> Liberal Democrat</td> <td>11</td> <td class="mgAlignRightCell">28.1%</td> </tr> <tr class="mgTableOddRow"> <td class="mgTopText"><img alt="Political party colour" src="http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/moderngov/mgImages/pixel-purple.gif" height="15" width="8" /> UK Independence</td> <td>0</td> <td class="mgAlignRightCell">13.5%</td> </tr> <tr class="mgTableEvenRow"> <td class="mgTopText"><img alt="Political party colour" src="http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/moderngov/mgImages/pixel-red.gif" height="15" width="8" /> Labour</td> <td>0</td> <td class="mgAlignRightCell">5.9%</td> </tr> <tr class="mgTableOddRow"> <td class="mgTopText"><img alt="Political party colour" src="http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/moderngov/mgImages/pixel-grey.gif" height="15" width="8" /> Independent</td> <td>0</td> <td class="mgAlignRightCell">1.8%</td> </tr> <tr class="mgTableEvenRow"> <td class="mgTopText"><img alt="Political party colour" src="http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/moderngov/mgImages/pixel-green.gif" height="15" width="8" /> Green</td> <td>0</td> <td class="mgAlignRightCell">1.1%</td> </tr> <tr class="mgTableOddRow"> <td class="mgTopText"><img alt="Political party colour" src="http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/moderngov/mgImages/pixel-dark-blue.gif" height="15" width="8" /> British National</td> <td>0</td> <td class="mgAlignRightCell">0.4%</td> </tr> <tr class="mgTableEvenRow"> <td class="mgTopText"> Turnout:</td> <td> <br /></td><td class="mgAlignRightCell">40.1%</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />So nothing really has changed. The Conservatives have a free hand to do arrogantly what they want. Wife says, that is exactly what we need: some really bad 'Bush' nationalistic years to frustrate and infuriate those who did not understand the consequences of their voting; and to open the was for 'Yes We Can' Change.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561440045947803049.post-40375979527219325632009-05-22T22:06:00.016+01:002009-05-22T23:14:54.189+01:00More about Chris Peeler<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 153, 102);">Who am I voting for?</span><br /><br />Chris has lived in Wendover with his wife Mary since their arrival 36 years ago. He says that it is an ideal place to bring up a family and he wants to keep Wendover that way. He studied agriculture at university and worked for the National Farmers Union in London for 26 years.<br /><br />Chris has been very active in the life of the village. He stood twice as a Liberal Democrat candidate in the local elections and was on the Parish Council for six years (until 2007).<br /><br />Within the village, he has taken a particular interest in road safety and the encouragement of cycling. He played a strong part in the provision of the extension of the cycle route along the Aylesbury Road as well as the installation of cycle racks in the centre of the village, the extra step outside Stars (it is part of the Manor Waste and thus on parish land) and the improvement of the cycle path linking Lionel Avenue with Dobbins Lane.<br /><br />Chris is also an active member of the Safer Routes to School group for Wendover Junior School, where he also was a governor. Another of his major interests is the “Get Wendover Cycling” group. He feels strongly that improving the facilities for cyclists. pedestrians and users of mobility scooters would be of immense benefit to Wendover and Halton villages that currently are suffering severely from traffic congestion and parking problems.<br /><br />He is a member of the local Wildlife Trust and has a large garden with “wildlife corners”. The garden has been open to the public to raise funds for both the local wildlife trust and the Ian Rennie Hospice.<br /><br />Chris is a keen bridge player and is the secretary of Wendover Bridge Club which meets at the cricket pavilion. The club provides substantial financial support to Wendover Cricket Club and contributes significantly to the social life of the village.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">What is Chris’s position on the main issues facing Wendover and Halton today?</span><br /><br /><ul><li>Princess Mary Hospital Development Site – 400 units will put a severe strain on the local infrastructure. Good cycling routes to the centre of both Wendover and Halton villages and to the schools are essential. This will help to relieve potential congestion and the demand for parking.</li><li>Wendover Junior school refurbishment and expansion – the plans for the works at the school were withdrawn at the last minute. Chris believes that the Princess Mary Gate development presents a case for urgent review of the improvements to the schools.</li><li>Parish Council – Chris is a strong supporter of the Parish Council which has achieved a great deal for village – for example, the renovation of Hampden Pond, the flower meadow, the establishment of the monthly farmers’ market and the installation of cycle racks in the centre of the village.</li><li>Land in Back Street – Chris has strongly supported the Parish Council throughout this dispute – the Parish Council has simply been doing its job in defending the interests of Wendover residents in a proper and legal manner. It is vital that the Parish Council and the Parish Clerk should receive the support that they deserve from all sections of the Wendover community.</li><li>Aylesbury Growth consultation – the final decision on the increase in housing must be accompanied by a corresponding improvement in the infrastructure and by the provision of adequate local employment opportunities.</li><li>Parking consultation this is long overdue. Our district and county councils have been “considering” the parking problem in Wendover for many years but without any tangible results. It is high time that effective action is taken not only to improve the parking situation in the village centre but to confront the problems elsewhere, for example, in residential areas near the schools and the railway station.</li><li>Public Transport – Chris will be in favour of the project linking Aylesbury to Oxford and Milton Keynes by rail. However, he finds it more important that a frequent bus link will join Halton and Wendover to Aylesbury and the Wendover Train Station and the Tring train station.</li><li>Halton Shooting Range – Chris supports the reasonable request of the residents of Halton to construct a noise muffling structure. </li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 153, 102);">What will Chris aim to improve?</span><br /><br />The current economic crunch has brought to the fore the issue of employment. However, our vale has been haemorrhaging jobs under the Conservative administration for more than a decade (yes, also in the years of plenty). This means more people must commute out of the county and our children will move to live where there is work. It is in the hands of the County Council to attract back employers through the clever setting of business taxes, allocation of business parks and fast tracking information technology infrastructure and encouraging High Tech companies to base their activities in the Vale.<br /><br />If elected, a major goal for Chris would be the improvement of road safety within Wendover and the encouragement of alternative modes of transport to reduce traffic congestion and parking problems. Much still needs to be done to improve facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and users of mobility scooters (for example, a pelican crossing at Ashbrook recreation ground).<br /><br />The pavement along part of the Ellesborough Road is disintegrating and a general resurfacing of Dobbins Lane is long overdue. The Conservative County Council, however, have no plans or intentions whatsoever to do anything about these problems. Chris would exert maximum pressure on the County Council to ensure that this and other necessary work is done without delay.<br /><br />In continuation of Chris’ efforts to improve accessibility to facilities (e;g; the extra step and rail to Stars on the Manor Waste), he will investigate alternative ways of scrossing the rails at the Wendover train station. There are many who shun the trains due to the prospect of using the footbridge.<br /><br />In the vicinity of the railway station, the schools and the village centre, car parking is causing severe problems to local residents. There is no easy answer to these problems but Chris would work closely with residents to devise parking schemes that provide the most acceptable solution. We have had these problems for many years but, so far, there have been no satisfactory proposals.<br /><br />Chris has noticed that visible policing in Wendover has been on the decline. Last year the number of Community police officers was reduced from two to one (not to mention that ten years ago the Wendover Station housed more than a handful of officers). Clearly this is because our villages are considered a low crime zone. However, we have reached the critical point where the thinly spread police resources pose an invitation for criminals, trouble makers and vandals. Chris would work closely with the Parish Council in supporting our local police force.<br /><br />Chris would strive hard to ensure that there is adequate funding for Wendover schools. In particular, he would press for the restoration of the funding for Wendover Junior School so that the necessary refurbishment and extension can be accomplished.<br /><br />Chris values highly the historic centre of Wendover. He would support strongly any measures needed to preserve it. It is important that the present practice of keeping the street furniture black should be maintained and he would press for the replacement of the grey bollards in Pound Street with black ones.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 102); font-weight: bold;">Strategic Voting Information?</span><br />In the last county council elections the results were very close. Had people voted more “tactically”,away Chris might well have been elected. Chris is a local man, who has a clear grasp of local issues and has already shown that he can get things done. If you agree with Chris’s programme for action, please show your support for him at the ballot box.<br />The 2005 County elections results<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 102);">How do I contact you?</span><br />Call Chris on 01296 624 089<br />Send a letter to the Liberal Democrats Freepost, 7 Barrie Close Aylesbury, HP19 8BR<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 102);">Where may I find more information?</span><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.libdems.org.uk">www.libdems.org.uk</a> - find out more about the Lib Dems.<br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.aylesburylibdems.co.uk">www.aylesburylibdems.co.uk</a> - A brand new website for the local party<br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.southcentrallibdems.org.uk">www.southcentrallibdems.org.uk</a> - South Central Region Liberal Democrats<br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.libdemblogs.co.uk%20shows">www.libdemblogs.co.uk shows </a>you the huge number of personal blogs written by Liberal Democrats all over Britain.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">This is not an official Lib Dem blog/publication. All that is written here is only my opinion. To be of the safe side: 'Published and promoted by Eli Kling who is a member of Aylesbury Liberal Democrats at Reform House, 6 Castle Street, Aylesbury Bucks, HP20 2RE'. Eli lives in 10 Manor Road, Wendover, HP22 6HQ.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Picture<br /><br /><table style="width: auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/tc6K4A9tnQUV1usLDym6cg?authkey=Gv1sRgCO6Dh66__vbVsQE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_MER9CgV8OSo/SfhNzwkiAvI/AAAAAAAAC_o/qVIWA2YBWE4/s144/L1030107.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/Eli.Kling/ChrisPeelerAmaturePhotos?authkey=Gv1sRgCO6Dh66__vbVsQE&feat=embedwebsite">Chris Peeler - Amature Photos</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />How will the Clock Tower junction cope with the extra traffic from the Princess Mary Gate? It is time to start planning now and not be surprised when the new residents get their keys.<br /><br /><table style="width: auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/AcNChA74RPyq6HKXxExp_A?authkey=Gv1sRgCO6Dh66__vbVsQE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_MER9CgV8OSo/SfhOSsnWdZI/AAAAAAAADBs/PzFozhJfp9g/s400/L1030115.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/Eli.Kling/ChrisPeelerAmaturePhotos?authkey=Gv1sRgCO6Dh66__vbVsQE&feat=embedwebsite">Chris Peeler - Amature Photos</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Chris strongly supported the previous Parish Council, the current council and the Parish clerk over the “Back Street” issue. As county councillor, Chris would continue to give strong support and under his leadership this issue, which has been so damaging to village life, will be brought to a final and proper conclusion as speedily as possible.<br /><br /><table style="width: auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/K-_AvOVos01g2tcL8k83Wg?authkey=Gv1sRgCO6Dh66__vbVsQE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_MER9CgV8OSo/SfhPlroWu0I/AAAAAAAADGE/kW00VazexQo/s400/L1030132.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/Eli.Kling/ChrisPeelerAmaturePhotos?authkey=Gv1sRgCO6Dh66__vbVsQE&feat=embedwebsite">Chris Peeler - Amature Photos</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />It took three years to get this step and rail. The next accessibility issue to be tackled is the crossing of the rails at the Wendover Train Station.<br /><br /><table style="width: auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/-DetbmCr3NyiPHmiqPpBpg?authkey=Gv1sRgCO6Dh66__vbVsQE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_MER9CgV8OSo/SfhQSeJY7ZI/AAAAAAAADIU/5jjA82IuJRE/s400/L1030140.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/Eli.Kling/ChrisPeelerAmaturePhotos?authkey=Gv1sRgCO6Dh66__vbVsQE&feat=embedwebsite">Chris Peeler - Amature Photos</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />The tarmacing of the green verges up to the trunks of the trees is nothing less than a disgrace. Chris would ensure that any future such work in Wendover is properly authorised and supervised. Rectification of this debacle is urgent but nothing so far has been done – neither have we been given any date for the work.<br /><br /><table style="width: auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/tsrIutH1rhMO7zK5JgQO_g?authkey=Gv1sRgCO6Dh66__vbVsQE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_MER9CgV8OSo/SfhQdSQ0-HI/AAAAAAAADI0/19P8Bt3bx5M/s400/L1030142.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/Eli.Kling/ChrisPeelerAmaturePhotos?authkey=Gv1sRgCO6Dh66__vbVsQE&feat=embedwebsite">Chris Peeler - Amature Photos</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Further shoddy work in Dobbins Lane. The quality of the patching after the installation of a pipe is very poor and endangers cyclists. Furthermore the County Council has no intention of rectifying this in the foreseeable future.<br /><br /><br /><table style="width: auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/SlBydW6E_w78FkVugyGKtg?authkey=Gv1sRgCO6Dh66__vbVsQE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_MER9CgV8OSo/SfhR8NIVOYI/AAAAAAAADNg/WjGxwqd9OyQ/s400/L1030160.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/Eli.Kling/ChrisPeelerAmaturePhotos?authkey=Gv1sRgCO6Dh66__vbVsQE&feat=embedwebsite">Chris Peeler - Amature Photos</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />In the conservation area, street furniture should be black. These Gray Bollards are yet another example of defective & insensitive work by the County Council.<br /><br /><table style="width: auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/7jkP25HROzoFz60BHPFvJA?authkey=Gv1sRgCO6Dh66__vbVsQE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_MER9CgV8OSo/SfhTQjjo0JI/AAAAAAAADRE/Tl214VvbUjY/s400/L1030174.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/Eli.Kling/ChrisPeelerAmaturePhotos?authkey=Gv1sRgCO6Dh66__vbVsQE&feat=embedwebsite">Chris Peeler - Amature Photos</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Small changes such as markings and a dropped kerb in the right place have greatly improved safety for pedestrians and cyclists.<br /><br /><table style="width: auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/FqWvgYc9f2VcmTrBvahcOQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCO6Dh66__vbVsQE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_MER9CgV8OSo/SfhT7DREb5I/AAAAAAAADTI/nuGKmpysGUE/s400/L1030182.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/Eli.Kling/ChrisPeelerAmaturePhotos?authkey=Gv1sRgCO6Dh66__vbVsQE&feat=embedwebsite">Chris Peeler - Amature Photos</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />There were an approved plan and a budget but the promised Toucan crossing was not installed. We were never given an adequate explanation of this and we are still waiting to hear when this work will be done.<br /><br /><br /><table style="width: auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/rd5Us2Joqt6Gvm0emqzH9A?authkey=Gv1sRgCO6Dh66__vbVsQE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_MER9CgV8OSo/SfhU4Pfx3nI/AAAAAAAADWQ/Htwc48wt3d8/s400/L1030194.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/Eli.Kling/ChrisPeelerAmaturePhotos?authkey=Gv1sRgCO6Dh66__vbVsQE&feat=embedwebsite">Chris Peeler - Amature Photos</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Princess Mary Gate (or is it Wendover Hights): We never wanted this development in Wendover but our Conservative district and county councils were totally ineffective in preventing it.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561440045947803049.post-55640954902866658332009-05-08T14:45:00.008+01:002009-05-08T14:56:37.753+01:002009 Bucks County Council Elections – It’s a Two Horse Race in Wendover & Halton<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLSH0T9MfbQ7eUQUM95xLDbaU1gf4n0To326hCd13rXlze0jILXo0giN-11ZPSZK3vVBFQAHbnGkUNlk4aZ_JH2TbcAMWKxBvMwAif9VxQkUTlVjCtJumhVmgJoVXi2fKyx8IyN8fqgo/s1600-h/two+horse+race.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLSH0T9MfbQ7eUQUM95xLDbaU1gf4n0To326hCd13rXlze0jILXo0giN-11ZPSZK3vVBFQAHbnGkUNlk4aZ_JH2TbcAMWKxBvMwAif9VxQkUTlVjCtJumhVmgJoVXi2fKyx8IyN8fqgo/s400/two+horse+race.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333449952558268850" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Yesterday the candidate list for the Buckinghamshire County Council Elections 2009 (4th of June) was closed with the following entrees for Wendover & Halton: </span> </div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Peeler Christopher He</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">nry Liberal Democrat</span></li><li style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Clayton Marion Patricia The Conservative Part</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">y Candidate</span></li><li style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Lesingham William John UK Independence Party</span></li><li style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Pile Robert Leroy Cuthbert The Labour Party Candidate</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family:verdana;">I have no Idea who the UKIP and Labour candidates are. I’ll be happy if someone enlightened me as to their contribution to our village life. Mr. Pile stood four years ago and pulled 458 votes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"> So are we back to square one? Same candidates, same results? Four years ago Chris would have been elected had people not wast</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">ed their vote on Labour and effectively electing the conservatives. Early indications suggest that the Tories cannot fool all of us all the time. Marion has been doing our work for us. The general mood is that she had her chance and she blew it big time. More over, people have been taking note of the things Chris has managed to do for the village through long, up hill campaigns.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">It is clear the Conservatives are desperate. Take for example the amusing letter Marion published in the last Wendover news. Did</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> you spot the spin? She is trying to take owner</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">ship for an issue that is a pure AVDC matter a</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">nd her much more able colleagues are look</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">ing into. Remember their election pamphlets of previous years? I dug up one from four years ago where they said they will do something about the parking. Did they? And more importantly, originally the pa</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">rking consultation was scheduled for January this year. Suddenly it is to be held after the elections. What nasty, unpalatable</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> bitter pill are they planning to shove down o</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">ur thought?</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiliFEhEJbCkjp3PvtP_mSjh-y-087PlHYpYSWTKa07ziua-gRfKr05fVZBpbBKPgj7VOLHVlEplEy6Ts7otxw6Wdv6WztxeqoIwMUcxnZOE0_gUip5_C_aRypp0t4VjLkfTKln_0iiYnI/s1600-h/Chris+Peeler.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiliFEhEJbCkjp3PvtP_mSjh-y-087PlHYpYSWTKa07ziua-gRfKr05fVZBpbBKPgj7VOLHVlEplEy6Ts7otxw6Wdv6WztxeqoIwMUcxnZOE0_gUip5_C_aRypp0t4VjLkfTKln_0iiYnI/s320/Chris+Peeler.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333450687831922066" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">OK, you will not vote for Marion. What can I tell you about Chris?</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">Chris has lived in Wendover with his wife Mary for 36 years and was a Parish Council for six years. He is a member of the local Wildlife Trust and has a large garden with “wildlife corners”. The garden has been open to the public to raise funds for both the local wildlife trust and the Ian Rennie Hospice. He is also a keen bridge player and is the secretary of Wendover Bridge Club which meets at the cricket pavilion and provides financial support to the cricket club.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">Chris is also an active member of the Safer Routes to School group for Wendover Junior School, where he also was a governor. Another of major interest is the “Get Wendover Cycling” group.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">His latest achievements are the step and rail on the Manor Waste in the entrance to Stars, the cycle path along Aylesbury Road and cycle and pedestrian provisions at the corner between Dobbins Lane and Lionel Avenue.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">It is time for change! She who only can find excuses why things cannot be done should be replaced with Chris who has proved he can get things done.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Vote Chris Peeler, Liberal Democrats</span><br /></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561440045947803049.post-59605413269465699892009-04-24T21:20:00.010+01:002009-04-24T22:05:26.290+01:00New, Relocated Bicycle parking at the Wendover Train Station<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpiHjt82aBTYidg_KUOcPYwjB7JOamEdiNVwzQCbikPJh00Udg-f0NZDgMKvanWtxb1CLTWTzdJleOSKgj7xjsJz-vX5GCZw29B0EtHnQ_nzbRXOP7nFQaZqE_3PvHh5DDlhNwkTEQQns/s1600-h/Image002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpiHjt82aBTYidg_KUOcPYwjB7JOamEdiNVwzQCbikPJh00Udg-f0NZDgMKvanWtxb1CLTWTzdJleOSKgj7xjsJz-vX5GCZw29B0EtHnQ_nzbRXOP7nFQaZqE_3PvHh5DDlhNwkTEQQns/s320/Image002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328360429871240034" border="0" /></a><br />Today the new Cycle shelter was installed. I watched the work with mixed feelings. On the positive note the new parking is sheltered and it is positioned in direct line of site of the guard. My joy is shadowed by the downsizing of the available parking space. The new shelter accommodates only 10 bicycles where the one it is replacing was almost double. This morning I counted 12 pairs parked haphazardly. My hope is that in the future we will manage to get another cycle shelter; maybe on the platform. For the time being, I suppose we might also use the new motorbike shelter. I also lament the loss of the green patch opposite the station to more tarmac – I hope they will find a way to bring back some colour to the station front. Hopefully not of the machine-washable kind.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdAXiNO2pKC5b67I7LxHZQEn6XReRXnUnydNnq0qRso7BVTHaF18ozNOBgp34y5WOsEQIH1aK6gYJTUgDh7NYPLoK9J2FgzkBlpuoloTtP-2dkX0bYt3ZEfao_t4AROmhzLS8-yOS6Sk/s1600-h/Image001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 163px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdAXiNO2pKC5b67I7LxHZQEn6XReRXnUnydNnq0qRso7BVTHaF18ozNOBgp34y5WOsEQIH1aK6gYJTUgDh7NYPLoK9J2FgzkBlpuoloTtP-2dkX0bYt3ZEfao_t4AROmhzLS8-yOS6Sk/s320/Image001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328360990310071074" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />12 bikes overflow<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmH8R6LqPVvUydTSek9d8ABXctWExX3dhuLfSdv1jAMRVULrNMUcyNZhbdSQOyEqI-ziQPX73pJohMxrMXbiB1gNTL9zbXLiJC5jISQOXKQfVZtAXZ5rfwY5TqPShRMtjHMchbJnvMhc/s1600-h/Image003+20090121.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmH8R6LqPVvUydTSek9d8ABXctWExX3dhuLfSdv1jAMRVULrNMUcyNZhbdSQOyEqI-ziQPX73pJohMxrMXbiB1gNTL9zbXLiJC5jISQOXKQfVZtAXZ5rfwY5TqPShRMtjHMchbJnvMhc/s320/Image003+20090121.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328365641283555138" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />This was the old facility: 8 double stations<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyOklBgE2JOq_EHaXHgl25fAzLcuzU0gYyB_WyJO9zdoSoQ7uQmtf0JsalOJMjerFtzo_BEhfS0dASKM6_WFoj8aUKqq0cfaqTjK0zEi1p3Nswq7zokegoq704KkxsoWkNWell8V2r9w/s1600-h/Image004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyOklBgE2JOq_EHaXHgl25fAzLcuzU0gYyB_WyJO9zdoSoQ7uQmtf0JsalOJMjerFtzo_BEhfS0dASKM6_WFoj8aUKqq0cfaqTjK0zEi1p3Nswq7zokegoq704KkxsoWkNWell8V2r9w/s320/Image004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328366499797291682" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561440045947803049.post-86739896345797803232009-04-09T10:28:00.002+01:002009-04-09T10:30:02.977+01:00MS Centre at Princess Mary Gate – planning application revised<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CEli%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB; mso-bidi-language:AR-SA;} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:35.4pt; mso-footer-margin:35.4pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The AVDC planning website application now presents the revised application for the MS centre at the Princess Mary Gate development (</span><a href="http://wam.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk:8080/WAM/showCaseFile.do?appType=DC&appNumber=09/00532/APP"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">09/00532/APP</span></a><span lang="EN-GB">). The revision requests doubling the size of the original planed centre to accommodate for a Hydrotherapy pool and provide more space. If I read the planes correctly the location has been moved around so now the parking will not be in contention with neighbours. All in all it seems to be a much better solution than the original one. I wonder what other changes to the original plan are being considered?</span></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561440045947803049.post-86150825742534268462009-03-23T12:30:00.004+00:002009-03-23T12:46:49.209+00:00Changes to Cycle Parking at Wendover Train Station<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cpRfR0bTodg/SceAsybS_BI/AAAAAAAAA1s/2ya0cYeECww/s400/IMGP0377.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cpRfR0bTodg/SceAsybS_BI/AAAAAAAAA1s/2ya0cYeECww/s400/IMGP0377.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I just got a call from a distressed friend. She left her bicycle at the Wendover train station tied to the racks near the guard’s hut. When she returned form Aylesbury she found all the racks were uprooted and the bicycles leaning on the fence. Naturally I rushed over with a camera and had a chat with the Forman – Dave. According to him a sign informing of the planned work was hung last Friday. However, both my friend and the guard insist there was no sigh this morning. The half dozen bicycles I saw leaning on the fence attest to that. Moreover, the guard was clearly uninformed as he did not warn anybody not to secure their bicycle there. Most worrying is the fact that station staff are not sure what are the plans. Dave told me that there will be a new covered cycle rake installed by the southern fence (near the entrance to the car park, in full view of the guard). He believed it would be installed in a couple of weeks.<br /><br />Questions:<br /><ul><li>Wouldn’t it have been wiser to first install the new cycle racks before taking the old away, especially when the cycling season has begun?</li><li>Why take away the old ones in the first place. They would be replaced by only one or two more car spaces where there is a constant shortage of cycle parking?</li><li>How many new stands are there going to be?<br /></li><li>What other works are going to take place. Are we about to see the long campaigned-for improvement in accessibility? (i.e. lifts)</li><li>What did our Parish Council have to say about these plans?</li><li>What was the contribution of our AVDC and BCC councillors to the plans and making the public aware of their existence?</li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hqyOyKz6SZ1rpstYKhIYJg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cpRfR0bTodg/SceAxk_rbbI/AAAAAAAAA18/0i3BTNmuycI/s288/IMGP0379.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Is this where the new stands are going the be? How many?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561440045947803049.post-83518942680605825752009-03-20T20:30:00.000+00:002009-03-20T20:36:36.617+00:00Green Ducks in the Wendover Arm Canal<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ooEelhZFGkU&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ooEelhZFGkU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />These foreigners appeared here about three weeks ago and have been welcomed by the local population of ducks. I personally think they should pay £50 towards the extra burden they are putting on the scarce resources.<br /><br />By the Way, anybody know their scientific name?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561440045947803049.post-16087912638967347282009-03-20T09:11:00.002+00:002009-03-20T09:15:16.723+00:00Divide and ConcorI would like to doff my hat to the conservative local government for the brilliant Teflon distraction of public opinion. Who now remembers the complaints about their poor handling of the previous consultation? It is naive to believe that public opinion was the only reason the consultation was repeated at great expense. Our elected councilors did not do their homework and arrogantly thought they could wing the test.<br /> When l read the second consultation paper I was angry: it was biased towards the eastern option; it did not include any real information to support their assertions; I did not understand why all alternative options were not properly examined; and I could not comprehend why the southern arc was included although it was rejected by the public and found faulty. Intentionally or not, the way the consultation was presented has divided the residents into sectarian geographical factions instead of being united in scrutinizing the conduct of a through and competent planning process. Thank you AVDC for the lesson in cynical diversion of attention from the mismanagement.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561440045947803049.post-14468767452546545562008-12-08T12:54:00.003+00:002008-12-08T12:56:33.927+00:00Direction of Housing Growth at Aylesbury December 2008<iframe width="300" height="300" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?client=firefox-a&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&s=AARTsJoLi6AXFQQpau8Hq6HC-K1TNaqJUw&msa=0&msid=113042205886286315934.00045d886309bf780d142&ll=51.805643,-0.793076&spn=0.063686,0.102997&z=12&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?client=firefox-a&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&msa=0&msid=113042205886286315934.00045d886309bf780d142&ll=51.805643,-0.793076&spn=0.063686,0.102997&z=12&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br />Now that I have read the consultation document, listened to a presentation at the Local Area Forum and let it all sink in, I am clear on two points: 1. The major decisions have been made for us and we are only consulted on the trifles; 2. There is no real ambitious vision for the vale.<br /><br />This consultation is a sham. It is more of a cover up for the previous ridiculous “consultation”. The fact that we have again the Southern Arc as an option despite it being rejected by the residents and found to be extremely lacking in a few important issues. The same major problems haunt all the “new” options ‘put’ in front of us: currently almost all schools are to the south of Aylesbury. Some schools to the north of the town will help elevate the Rut-Run Congestion. Moreover, writing a consultation a second time will not change the flood risks identified during the first round.<br /><br />However, there are more important issues to consider. The job opportunities have been dwindling in our vale for the last decade. The wording of the consultation indicates the planners assume the new development will be mainly dormitory residence putting burden on the already over encumbers transportation to London and the Thames corridor. This development could have been used as an opportunity two fold: leveraging transport and job opportunities. Building in the north of Aylesbury would lend strength to the need for a train link to Oxford and Milton Keens. I find the assertion that just more people living here will generate more jobs ridicules. To really encourage local employment we need what I call “seeds of growth”. A centre of academic research such as a university concentrating on subjects that are relevant to high-tech or Start up ventures.<br /><br />I believe the development is inevitable and that eventually all the options in the “Consultation”, and more, will be built up. Therefore, I would prefer a solution that will preserve as much of the green belt as possible. To my mind the best solution that will preserve the surrounding green and neighbouring villages is modern high rises with a narrow foot print. Alas, the experience of the 60ies and 70ies has left a lasting intolerance in peoples minds. However, Aylesbury must grow up into a proper city in order to preserve the character of its surrounding and ensure prosperity of its residence. Lets face it, Aylesbury is a characterless town. Adding more kennel-like houses will not help. <br /><br />A desperate attempt to cloak the consultation is a pretence of ‘green’ considerations is the promise to “provide a minimum of 10% of the total energy requirements … renewable or low carbon energy”. There is even a wind turbine on one of the diagrams. Well it is just an intention that could be discarded as un practical later. I ask why just 10% and what are the other low carbon solutions? What are the guarantees that these ‘intentions’ would be enforced?<br /><br />I wonder what is hiding behind the finding that for the Combined East and Southern Growth Arc “Transport modelling suggests that it may be the worst performing of the three options.” I think it refers to the fact it will be costly to construct both sets of trunk roads required for the Eastern and the southern construction. I cannot see how this would be worst congestion-wise; to my layman’s logic it is the other way round.<br /><br />Last and not least the intention to allow for sustainable transport should be strengthened. I would like to see a clear promise to provide a wide network of dedicated cycle paths.<br /><br />I am not going to respond to the questions in the consultation questionnaire as they insult my intelligence and do not focus at the real issues.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561440045947803049.post-69815054121208903282008-11-19T19:34:00.004+00:002008-11-19T19:43:57.150+00:00BNP List<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CEli%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults ext="edit" spidmax="1026"> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout ext="edit"> <o:idmap ext="edit" data="1"> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><a name="OLE_LINK6"></a><a name="OLE_LINK5"></a><a name="OLE_LINK2"></a><a name="OLE_LINK1"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">It was not that hard to find the all talked about list of that dark party. There is an interesting map presenting the hotspots on </span></span></span></span></a><a href="http://spod.cx/bnp_members_list.shtml"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">spod.cx</span></span></span></span></span><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span></a><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">
<br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">All I’ll say about the list is:</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p> <div align="center"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="border: medium none ; margin-left: 5.4pt; border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr style="height: 9pt;"> <td style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; background: rgb(217, 217, 217) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 180pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="240"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><b style=""><span lang="EN-GB">HP Area<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; background: rgb(217, 217, 217) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 63pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="84"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><b style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Count of BNP Members<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> </tr> <tr style="height: 9pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 180pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="240"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Amersham</span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="84"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">2</span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> </tr> <tr style="height: 9pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 180pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="240"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Aylesbury</span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="84"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">19</span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> </tr> <tr style="height: 9pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 180pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="240"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span lang="EN-GB">Beaconsfield</span></st1:place></st1:city></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="84"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">1</span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> </tr> <tr style="height: 9pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 180pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="240"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Chesham</span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="84"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">4</span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> </tr> <tr style="height: 9pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 180pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="240"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Flackwell Heath</span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="84"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">5</span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> </tr> <tr style="height: 9pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 180pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="240"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Great Missenden</span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="84"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">1</span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> </tr> <tr style="height: 9pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 180pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="240"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Hazlemere</span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="84"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">1</span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> </tr> <tr style="height: 9pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 180pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="240"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><st1:place st="on"><span lang="EN-GB">High Wycombe</span></st1:place></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="84"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">11</span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> </tr> <tr style="height: 9pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 180pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="240"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Holmer Green</span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="84"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">1</span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> </tr> <tr style="height: 9pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 180pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="240"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Oving</span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="84"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">1</span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> </tr> <tr style="height: 9pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 180pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="240"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Wooburn Green</span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="84"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">1</span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> </tr> <tr style="height: 9pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 180pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="240"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Berkhamstead</span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="84"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">1</span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> </tr> <tr style="height: 9pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 180pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="240"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><st1:place st="on"><span lang="EN-GB">Hemel Hempstead</span></st1:place></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="84"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">13</span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> </tr> <tr style="height: 9pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 180pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="240"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Tring</span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="84"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB">3</span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> </tr> <tr style="height: 9pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 180pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="240"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style="color: red;" lang="EN-GB">Wendover<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="84"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style="color: red;" lang="EN-GB">0<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> </tr> <tr style="height: 9pt;"> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 180pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="240"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><b style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Total HP area<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63pt; height: 9pt;" valign="top" width="84"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><b style=""><span lang="EN-GB">65<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></span></p> </td> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span></span> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <span style=""></span><span style=""></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><span style=""><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><span style=""><a name="OLE_LINK4"></a><a name="OLE_LINK3"><span style=""><b style=""><span lang="EN-GB">DO NOT FORGET THAT THE NATZI PARTY FIRST GAINED POWER USING THE DEMOCRACY CINICLY!<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></a></span></span></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561440045947803049.post-13949312661162672192008-11-11T13:52:00.000+00:002008-11-11T13:54:10.313+00:00AVDC Consultation on Growth - Mark II<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CEli%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"> At the last Wendover Parish Council, Councillor Richards pointed out that the direction of development in Aylesbury chosen will have implications on later plans for Wendover. He could not elaborate as he is on the AVDC planning committee. The consultation was presented at the last Wendover Local Area Forum (LAF) which gave the Parish Chair, Sue Toft Hunt a chance to ask a very good and direct question: Will it be a bad omen for Wendover if the Southern Arc Option is chosen as it would make it cheaper to continue it down to Wendover? The response she got is enlightening. It seems there is a planning golden rule discouraging joining up urban sprawls.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"> Wendover is marked for future tier 2 development. So if you do not want <span style=""> </span>further massive development in our village (in the far future) then it might be wise to support the southern arc option. However, there are so many things wrong with it that were pointed out during the last round of consultation. </span></p> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" lang="EN-GB">Personally I do not like none of the proposed options as they do not address sufficiently the question of where will people work. Over the last decade, “when the sun was shining”, Aylesbury lost about 7-8% of job places. We are now in economic dier straits and more jobs are expected to be struck out the books. Thus, most of the new residents will be commuting.<span style=""> </span>I would have preferred a northern theme for the development where the new residents would be encouraged to commute to <st1:city st="on">Oxford</st1:city> and <st1:place st="on">Milton Keynes</st1:place>. This will also help promoting the rail link between <st1:city st="on">Oxford</st1:city> and <st1:place st="on">Milton Keynes</st1:place>.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561440045947803049.post-13261918452347736742008-10-09T22:22:00.003+01:002008-10-13T09:11:05.695+01:00Icelandic BuckinghamshireAccording to the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7660741.stm">BBC News</a> Buckinghamshire has been caught with about 5 million stuck in Icelandic banks. Well Kent has 50 million at stake. Traulling down the list I see that our county is in good company. If I am not mistaken the county’s budget for next year is around 270 million.<br /><br />I think Brown should announce that he suspect the Icelandic government is aiming WMDs against the American base there and take a joint action with Bush.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561440045947803049.post-7142192442752791802008-10-09T10:26:00.006+01:002008-10-09T10:36:26.089+01:00Sharon Bowles: Statistics are not boring<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CEli%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:35.4pt; mso-footer-margin:35.4pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p>I just learnt that <a href="http://www.sharonbowles.org.uk/index.html">Sharon Bowles</a>, my favourite MEP, has recently been appointed as the European Parliament’s representative on the European Statistical Advisory Committee. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Good on Ye Sharon! </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">This committee is very important as it will focus on making sure that statics used for controlling EU funding are reliable, and held to the same international standards. In other words she will be promoting informed decision making instead of just going on stereotypes and prejudices. For instance I came across an article comparing the EU states road safety track. It showed how viewing the standardized statistics comparing states and cities leverages new insight into the issue of death on the roads. So how do you think the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region> faired? Not so badly as you would think. And the reason is we are highly congested so the act</span><span lang="EN-GB">ual driving speeds are reduced resulting in less people getting killed. Where congestion was not that of an issue, poor road maintenance was the main driver for accidents.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">So I have to disagree with <st1:city st="on">Sharon</st1:city> when she <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">sais</st1:city></st1:place>: “Statistics may not be sexy, and may be thought boring, but they are very important!” I would say that about rules and regulations (law in short). Once one sees good statistics in action and experiences the pleasure of making an informed decision, one realizes that they are essential and sexy when placed in the right hands.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">By the way, check '<a href="http://www.whathaseuropedone.eu/">What Has Europe Done?</a>' out</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986873783113954787noreply@blogger.com0