INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVES Campaigning for a better Henley-in-Arden |
In recent years, the BEAUDESERT AND HENLEY-IN-ARDEN JOINT PARISH COUNCIL has become very unpopular with large sections of the community. Many residents have complained about a lack of consultation, lack of transparency and significant unnecessary expenditure on administration. On Tuesday 25th May 2010 there was a Referendum in the parish of Henley-in-Arden on the "Confidence in the Leadership Management of the JPC". The JPC lost this vote of confidence. As a result a new political party has been registered with the Electoral Commission, THE HENELY-IN-ARDEN INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVES which aims to restore democracy to the Parish Council. The next election for a new parish council will be in May 2012.
Henley and Beaudesert residents are paying around three times the average parish council tax on a per capita basis compared to other parishes in the Stratford on Avon area. The Henley and Beaudesert Independent Conservatives believe around £25,000 of unnecessary expenditure should be cut so that the residents can choose where they spend their money. This would probably benefit local businesses far more than holding a succession of unproductive meetings of the Business and Tourism sub-committee. Remember none of these businesses contribute one penny towards the running of the JPC.
DISTRICT COUNCIL ELECTION 2010
The party has nominated its first candidate for the Stratford on Avon District Council Election on 5th May 2011 and says in its election address:
By voting to approve the cattle market redevelopment planning application, Stratford District Councillors have totally disregarded the very real concerns of the vast majority of the Henley residents. Already the next issue the CCTV column outside the police station is being discussed. It is likely that the existing industrial column will be retained, despite another campaign by residents for a more unobtrusive column in line with the guidance from English Heritage.
Independently minded locals need to be elected to ensure that the wishes of the majority are followed and that council tax payers’ money is spent wisely. Our national parties through their local party bosses should not control these issues.
The Henley & Beaudesert Independent Conservatives party has been formed and registered with the Electoral Commission to bring ‘local’ back into our local government. Bill Leech will be its first candidate in the District Council election on 5th May 2011 for the Henley ward.
Bill Leech will be well known to many residents as the founder and editor of Henley NEWS and the creator of the Town Website. After nearly 300 editions of Henley NEWS since 2004, 3,000 people now read each edition. He has been the town member on the Henley War Memorial Trust for many years and in May 2008 joined the Joint Parish Council. His concern about its unnecessary expenditure and excessive administration costs are well known and will probably lead to a reduction in the parish council tax (precept) of around £25,000 in 2013. This £25,000 will then be able to be spent by the residents as they wish, maybe in shops of Henley and the surrounding area.
Bill was born in Warwickshire and educated at Rugby. He has been a director of Lucas, Smiths Industries and his own mobile telecom company. Today he runs the Henley Business Group which is a successful business brokerage based in Henley. He had eight years commissioned service in the South Midlands Signal Regt (TA). During the 1960s he lived in Wootton Wawen and was a member of the Parochial Church Council. In the 1980s he moved to Claverdon and since 2001 he has lived in Henley. He is a strong believer in a Big Society.
I have known Bill for almost 40 years and I know Bill will look after your interests on the District Council. I encourage you to vote for him on 5th May.
Mike Willmott – Party Leader
VOTE BILL LEECH STRATFORD DISTRICT COUNCIL ELECTION - 5TH MAY 2011 Bill Leech obtained 335 votes, three times what was expected, and came second behind the official Conservative candidate and ahead of the Labour and Lib Dem candiates. Bill thanks all those who supported him and will maintain the campaign to bring back democracy to our local government. |
Published by John Tristram, 30 Prince Harry Road, Henley-in-Arden B95 5DD.
Registered with The Electoral Commission (PP1725)