Cllr Richard Biggs

Cllr Trevor Jones

Cllr Karl Wallace

West Dorset’s Liberal Democrats are celebrating after the County Council election results. In many other places, including neighbouring Devon, Cornwall and Hampshire, the Conservatives have gained from the volatile national situation and the collapse of the Labour party. Here West Dorset we have won three County Council seats and made the Conservatives fight hard for every vote in the other divisions.

We have strengthened our position and are ready for the general election campaign that must come within the next eleven months.

Congratulations to:

• Councillor Richard Biggs and Councillor Trevor Jones who beat off stiff opposition to retain their Dorchester seats
• Councillor Karl Wallace who won Bridport from the Conservatives in a tremendous victory.

The full results are available at the Dorset County Council web site.

Trevor Jones in a typical town path

“This is a quote from a Liberal Democrat Peer speaking this spring in the House of Lords”, explained Dorchester Councillor Trevor Jones. “He was talking about a Government project called Lost Ways which was meant to identify footpaths across England in both town and country not yet registered as rights of way. Believe it or not £4.5 million was spent in just two counties in the last few years and yet no additional paths were registered at all! So the project has now been abandoned.”

“Unless old paths are registered people will lose the right to use them in under twenty years time. A typical town path is pictured to the right and of course there are scores of them across West Dorset. Lib Dem controlled Dorchester Town Council tried to make a start on the registration procedure a couple of years ago but found the procedures hideously complicated and very expensive, so they took the matter up in the Lords to try to get legislation changed.”

“The Government do now seem to recognise that there is a real problem and have committed to discussing with experts what should be done,” concluded Cllr. Jones. “Certainly if nothing is done there’s going to be uproar in due course as the public are refused the right to use paths they have walked for generations.”

Borough Gardens renovations nearing completion

“The new play area opened last half term and has already proved to be very popular,” he added. “There is still a bit more work to do but all of this should be finished soon. Patrick Walsh of Thomas Hardye School has won the competition to design a piece of sculpture for the plinth by the Bowling Green and his piece will be worked up as soon as possible.”

The Gardens will be officially re-opened at an event on May Day Bank Holiday. Weekend ‘Music in the Gardens’ will resume later this year.

Poundbury office development under construction

“It is extremely good news that we are attracting new jobs to West Dorset,” says Dorchester Councillor Andy Canning. “The Duchy deserves praise for what it has achieved but West Dorset District Council needs to do more to make sure that the whole district attracts new employers - not just Poundbury.”

Local Lib Dems want to see the Council take a far more active role in promoting the unique attractions of re-locating to West Dorset such as the quality of life, the Heritage Coast, our beautiful environment and our rich history and culture.

We also need to do more to support existing local businesses with advice, good quality premises and low rents where necessary. We want to see particular support provided to sustainable industry such as local & organic food producers and rural crafts.

Richard Biggs and Molly Rennie are concerned about a number of aspects of the County Council’s proposals to introduce charges for on-street car parking.

“The County must ensure that local businesses are fully consulted about this proposal. Customers must not be driven away from local shops as a result of this charge,” said Richard. “I would like to see the County looking at introducing a refund scheme with small shops similar to that operated by Somerfield,” added Molly. “We must also make sure that the design of any parking machines is of a high quality and blends into the Conservation area.”

Local residents are increasingly concerned about speeding traffic in Manor Park. Your Town Councillors are pressing the County Council to conduct a survey to examine how bad the problem is. Then we can get the County to take the appropriate measures to deal with this situation.

Martin Graham and Andy Canning are working to ensure that we get the next phases of Poundbury right. They want to see 35% of all homes to be affordable, restrictions to the height of the tallest buildings, far more tree planting both in and around Poundbury, higher environmental standards for all new buildings, a new swimming pool for the town, a new First School, extra parking for businesses and improved foot, cycle and public transport links with the rest of the town and the countryside.

“At long last plans are being brought forward that will cut traffic along the very narrow St George’s Road,” says Tony Lyall. “This project also includes some new housing and we are pressing for new affordable homes for shared ownership to be a key part of the proposal.”

Robin Potter and Susie Hosford inspecting the new Kiosk which will be open during events and will provide mains electricity supply & disabled toilets for the first time. Later this year plans for improved historical interpretation, new seating, disabled access and a new fence will be available for consultation.

The Nature Reserve by the Millstream has now become an officially designated Local Nature Reserve and an active ‘Friends of the Reserve’ group has been established. “A high priority is to clear away more weeds and plant native species that will return the area to its natural state. We are also going to replace the ageing signs in the near future with far better interpretation,” explained Andy Canning.