As the sun goes down on the four year term of the current Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council there are some names I was suprised to see missing on the list of candidates for the next four years (Julie Mayhew-Archer, Lesley Legge, Alison Rooke, Iain Littlejohn):
Standing to serve the town for the 2015 to 2019 term are:
That makes 53 candidates going for the positions of 19 town councillors:
* 18 Conservative
* 4 Green
* 5 Labour
* 19 Lib-Dems
* 3 Independents.
The development of the Guildhall as a major asset for the town centre will be very important in the next four years, and it belongs to Town Council. The Town Council, among other things, runs the museum, half the town’s play parks, the cemeteries, and Markets. It runs various Community events, and is consulted, by the district and county council, on matters affecting the town.
I am sorry that Iain Littlejohn is not standing; I don’t share his political persuasion, but I do admire his willingness to explain his position – often after some quite strong heckling!
I do hope that he hasn’t been driven away by hostile comment. We need women and men of energy and commitment in public service, and Iain has seemed (to me) to have shown both qualities.
All that said, I’d still have an argument with him over a beer!
As well as the traditional Town Council activities described above, there is an exciting opportunity to play a pro-active role in shaping the future of the town. I hope the new TC will follow the examples of Wantage, Faringdon, Thame and hundreds of others around the country and start the process of a Neighbourhood Plan for Abingdon.
The Vale’s Local Plan lays down the overall framework for development, but it can be underpinned by a Neighbourhood Plan, drawn up by the community, which can define what those developments should look like, what other facilities are needed i.e all the things which local people know about much better than distant officials. Importantly, if a NP is in place, a much higher proportion of the “infrastructure money” from developments will come to the Town Council to spend on the town.
The snag is that the Town Council needs to trigger the process: the outgoing one did not want to want to do that – let’s hope the new one will take a more positive view.
Some of us were keen to, Hester, let’s hope we get some more allies among the new intake to take initiate a plan.
Sounds almost too good to be true!
I am also sorry to see that Iain isn’t restanding as I know he is very much for improving the town, even if I don’t always agree with him.
If I am elected i will certainly want to look at the Neighbourhood Plan idea. I know it has been very useful in other places.
Thank you Paul and Neil for your kind comments. Dont worry – whilst I can’t pretend to enjoy some of the comments Paul refers to it didn’t put me off standing.
Unfortunately i was as surprised as Backstreeter not to see my name on the list of candidates. Unfortunately my nomination form was lost by my party’s election office, and it wasn’t spotted until after the deadline for nominations.
Obviously I am very disappointed not to be able to continue to represent Fitzharris on the council, and am particularly sad not to be able to see the Guildhall project through. However the project is in good shape and I hope the new council will have the will and energy to bring it to life.
That’s very sad, Iain. I wondered why you weren’t standing.
Thx Angela – at least I’ll get some time back in my diary – even got to watch my son in the sound of music this evening 🙂
I am slightly confused.I have polling card which states I am entitled to vote for Vale and Town councillors in the Dunmore ward but the party election literature I am receiving is for The Abbey and North court wards.Something doesn’t, add up..Now with the above list of candidates I am no longer sure which ward I am in.Or is it some of the candidates are not sure either.
It’s most likely the candidates’ deliverers who are confused. The ward boundaries have shifted so if your road is on the edge, it may, or even just your part of the road, may well have moved out of Northcourt into Dunmore.
If in doubt check with the Vale Electoral Registration team
Sorry to see you are not included Iain. I think you showed real commitment in your efforts for the town, (and a lot of patience).!
It was good to have your input here to give some balance to the points made, and lots of information too.
Hope you will still have time to make contributions on this site.
Very much appreciated. Thank you.
And stand in the first by-election that comes along, there’s bound to be one before too long, Iain.
Sound of Music was extremely good. I got to see the other team of children, who were excellent, but I’m told both teams were equally good, so be proud of your son, Iain, I’m sure you must be.
I agree with Angela, we need you back on the council at the earliest opportunity – why not stand as an independent next time, that way you can make sure your nomination doesn’t get lost!
Oh – really sorry to hear that Iain. Samantha and Emma went to see the Sound of Music and both thought it was fantastic.
Geoff – I’m pretty sure you are in the new Dunmore Ward, though previously in the old Northcourt Ward. Probably a deliverer error as Angela says.
Oh yes, Iain. Stand as an Independent. I’d be glad to help you
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Unfortunately i was as surprised as Backstreeter not to see my name on the list of candidates. Unfortunately my nomination form was lost by my party’s election office, and it wasn’t spotted until after the deadline for nominations.
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Geoff – I’m pretty sure you are in the new Dunmore Ward, though previously in the old Northcourt Ward. Probably a deliverer error as Angela says.
Basic errors fill you full of confidence doesn’t it ??
Thx all – your kind words much appreciated.
I would like to put on the record my thanks to Iain Littlejohn. I may not agree with his politics, but he seems like one of the few people who is able to combine some real vision with the ability to actually deliver something. I hope he has done enough to get the cinema off the ground and full marks for effort; better to make some change than sit there whinging about things from the sidelines!
Hi Brian – I can only speak for the Lib Dems, but we get our leaflets out by volunteer coordinators taking bundles of leaflets that have been bundled by volunteers to our volunteer deliverers.
Across the Oxford West & Abingdon constituency we have about 700 delivery rounds. It is inevitable that errors will occasionally happen.
I have double checked and, as far as I can see, our database is up to date for the new ward boundaries.
I can’t speak for Iain’s campaign agent, but having submitted 56 sets of nomination papers myself for this round of elections I can tell you that it takes a huge amount of work and I’m guessing that whoever is responsible is absolutely mortified by their error. There but for the grace of God go I.
Well, just voted. 3x pages VOWHDC/Town/’Local MP for general election.
When placing my vote for individuals on District and Town councils. I wondered, does the political party count a win for them??. Will be interesting to see if my vote does count this year. and some of the people I voted for are elected…