Enham Alamein Parish Council

Written by Cllr Robin Hughes and published in Andover Advertiser on Sat 24th Feb 2007

I enthusiastically welcome the creation of the Enham Alamein parish council on the 1st April 2007. It is a small step in improving the local governance and community representation in Andover and in the borough of Test Valley. I shall look forward to working with the parish councillors of Enham Alamein following their election / appointment in May 2007. From May 2007 there will be 58 local government parishes in Test Valley, one Town Council (Romsey), 50 Parish Councils and 7 Parish Meetings.

I also support the creation of a Town (parish) council for Andover as do the local Liberal Democrats and I understand the local Labour party. So it is a disappointment for many, that the remaining unparished area of Andover will remain just that, unparished. Many Conservatives councillors, in a somewhat paradoxical position oppose most fervently the creation of a town (parish) council for the community of Andover. Whilst strongly supporting taxing the householders of Andover via a charge for Special Expenses for responsibilities that might normally be carried out by a town (parish) council. I have in my nearly 13 years as a councillor been surprised and disappointed by the lack of support from Conservative Councillors who are elected to represent Andover on the borough council.

Perhaps there are some parallels with the 18th Century and the American colonist catchphrase "No taxation without representation". A notion that the British Government could not accept since it would have destroyed the system of government of that century. Like the then British Government today's local Conservative councillors forward the concept of "virtual representation" for Andover's community. I doubt if local government would be destroyed if Andover had its own town (parish) council. Moreover local governance and community representation would be greatly enhanced for the benefit of all.

yours

Cllr Robin Hughes