Have your say

We, the people who will have to pay for the offices, do at least have an opportunity to comment on the planning application. Unfortunately, whether or not the new offices make sense financially is not considered relevant to the planning process. However, we can at least have our say on the design.

It is definitely worth lodging an objection; the application will be discussed by a committee of elected Councillors and they do have the power to refuse planning consent even if the Council’s officers recommend approval. The Councillors need to know how strongly people feel about this and any member of the public who submits a written comment has the right to speak for up to three minutes at the meeting.

We need to encourage the Councillors to be brave on this issue and stand up for the people who elected them rather than just meekly do what they are told.

How to do it

The planning application has the reference 1/D/10/000763. You can go into Stratton House and ask to see the plans, they are also available online.

There are two ways that you can comment:

1. by post to Andrew Martin, WDDC, Stratton House, 58-60 High West Street, Dorchester, DT1 1UZ or;
2. online at www.dorsertforyou.com, the link takes you to West Dorset’s planning applications page, where you need to input the reference above.

All comments must be received by the Council by June 18th at the latest and don’t forget to use the reference number in all correspondence.

The new Council offices are part of a major redevelopment scheme for Charles Street and the plans are for the whole scheme. You can object to the offices without commenting on the rest of the scheme or you can have your say on other elements of the development as well.

What is considered relevant in planning terms

Only comments on the design of the building, its impact on the surrounding area and whether it conforms to the Council’s own planning policies will be considered.

You could, for example, object on one or more of the following grounds:

• the building is detrimental to the character and appearance of Dorchester’s conservation area on the grounds of its size, height and/or length;
• the building will overshadow South Walks which is a scheduled ancient monument;
• the attempt to build offices on Charles Street is contrary to policy EA14 in the local plan which says there should only be shopping, leisure/arts/tourism uses or housing on this site;
• the design of the office building has no local distinctiveness which is contrary to policy DA3;
• the design is significantly larger than nearby buildings which is contrary to policy DA5;
• the design is not sympathetic or in keeping with the surrounding area contrary to policy DA7;
• there is a loss of trees and of open space in what is otherwise a fairly built up area.

Just use your own words to express your views. The more objections the better and the more likely that Councillors will throw out the application.

Our online poll is still open for people to vote Yes or No on the new offices. If you haven’t already voted, go to officespoll.org.uk. Tell your friends!

The result was as follows:

Sue would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the campaign for their hard work and the superb support they have given her throughout.

Sue said: “Very many people have been kind enough to contact me with messages of support since Thursday night and I really appreciate that kindness. Losing an election is not a pleasant experience but knowing that I have your backing makes all the difference.”

There are always a number of people who do not get to vote on polling day itself. So, to make it easier we would like to suggest to as many people as possible to register for a postal vote.

If you would like more information on how to apply, please phone us at the office on 01935 815947.

Alternatively, go to aboutmyvote.co.uk to register online.

Shirley Williams joins Sue Farrant to visit local shops in Sherborne

Dr Sue Farrant, parliamentary candidate for the Liberal Democrats in West Dorset, was joined by Shirley Williams, revered politician and founder of the SDP, on the election campaign trail in Sherborne yesterday.

Meeting at ‘The Conduit’ in Cheap Street, and joined by a throng of Liberal Democrat activists, they embarked on a ‘meet and greet’ through the town centre, stopping to speak to local residents and dropping in to shops to chat with owners and customers.

Party workers were then invited back to Sue Farrant’s house for tea and Baroness Williams gave a speech on Liberal Democrat values and her views on this intriguing election campaign.

By way of an introduction, Sue Farrant said: “It is a great honour for me to have Shirley Williams here to lend her support to my campaign. She is one of my heroines and a wonderful role model. It gives us great encouragement in the last stage of the campaign.”

Shirley Williams said: “This election is tremendously exciting. It is much bigger for us now than at any other time. I’ve seen the mould cracking. The people of Great Britain are fed up with the voting system. I was on Channel Four last night and when the audience was asked if they wanted real change at this election, nine tenths were in favour. The debates have presented the Liberal Democrats to the British people as a party of real change.”

Baroness Williams laid out the policy areas that required this real change. In finance, the establishment of the Council of Economic Stability, an independent body, is crucial to the decision making process in dealing with the scale of the economic problem.

Political reform is a top priority. She said: “We need to be tough on expenses fiddling. But, we must go much deeper than that. Proper independent committees must be set up to keep this in check.”

On the issue of the constitution, Baroness Williams said: “Gordon Brown is right to say there is no evidence the Tories believe in fundamental constitutional change.

“But there is little evidence either of a serious Labour commitment, apart from devolution of power to Scotland and Wales. In power for thirteen years, Labour never proposed genuine electoral reform, nor more effective oversight of government by the House of Commons, nor even stronger rules over Parliamentary expenses. Proposals by the Wright Committee to strengthen the role of Parliament were blocked by the Prime Minister himself in February.”

She concluded: “The Liberal Democrats have campaigned for constitutional reform since they were founded more than twenty years ago. Liberal Democrats campaigned for devolution, for freedom of information and for a Ministry of Justice long before Labour reluctantly adopted them.

“British voters want a fundamental reform of politics in this country. So do we. We will only get it if Britain’s electors vote for it by voting Liberal Democrat.”

They will be walking up Cheap Street between 3.30-4.30pm starting at the Conduit.  All are welcome.

Dr Sue Farrant joins in the fun at Beaminster's world record attempt.

Dr Sue Farrant, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for West Dorset, attended Beaminster School yesterday to see the students break the World Hula Hoop Record.

The students gyrated their way into the record books with a new total of 363 people, breaking the previous record by 21.

After trying a quick practice swirl, Sue Farrant decided to cheer on the students from the sidelines. She said: “It’s great to see so many pupils having such fun. And so many teachers too! I know the children have been practising for months and truly deserve to be world beaters! Well done to everyone who took part.”

Approximately 740 people – pupils, teachers and parents all joining in the fun – took part in the event. The attempt lasted two minutes and anyone whose hoop fell to the ground was eliminated. Those still going as the hooter sounded were counted and verified.

Sue Farrant and West Dorset candidates sign the Power2010 pledge

Dr Sue Farrant, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for West Dorset, attended the “Blow-Up Politics” event in Dorchester yesterday for Power 2010, a campaign to clean up politics and reform the country’s voting system.

The relaxed ‘living-room’ style setting in South Street, complete with pink inflatable sofas, attracted a large crowd of voters, who were then able to quiz all of the constituency candidates on their policies.

Sue Farrant said: “This was an informal, fun event, but with a serious message to fix our broken politics. I was delighted that so many people were able to come along and given the chance to discuss their issues with the candidates face to face. The Power 2010 campaign is something I have supported for a long time and I was happy to sign the pledge.”

Power2010 aims to put people in the driving seat of politics, and is billed as the UK’s largest ever campaign for democratic reform. The 100,000 votes cast have created the 5-point Power Pledge, which will be taken to MPs across the country in the lead up to May 6th. The Pledge includes a switch to proportional representation, the establishment of a written constitution and abandoning the government’s ID cards scheme.

More information can be found at www.power2010.org.uk

The verdict of the Town Poll was resoundingly in favour of the plan being scrapped. The result was as follows:

‘For’ new offices: 156

‘Against’ new offices: 2046

Stella Jones, Leader of the West Dorset District Council Liberal Democrats, said: “The people of Dorchester have spoken clearly. They are completely opposed to what the district council are proposing to do on which they refuse to consult. We congratulate everyone who organised this historic first ever town poll and look forward to an early response from West Dorset District Council as to what they are now going to do. Clearly they should abandon the project.”

Residents of Dorchester demanded a Town Poll after a public meeting was arranged by Dr Sue Farrant, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for West Dorset, in Dorchester on March 24. It gave the public the opportunity to have their say and ask questions.

A second meeting was held on April 19 in Bridport with the same agenda.

Both meetings, which attracted 320 people in total, concluded with the same unanimous verdict that WDDC’s scheme was not popular and should be stopped immediately.

People of West Dorset can still have their say in a constituency-wide poll.

Go to officespoll.org.uk to vote and leave your comments

Sue Farrant talks to Rethink staff and service users

Dr Sue Farrant, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for West Dorset, visited Rethink’s mental health employment service, The Oasis, yesterday.

She spoke to staff and service users to find out more about mental health issues and signed Rethink’s manifesto pledge.

Sue Farrant said: “Visiting The Oasis and listening to what the people who work here have to say has been a real eye-opener. Mental health is too often seen as a taboo issue, so having something like this service so visible within the community really makes a difference. Should I be elected on May 6^th I would certainly be a champion for mental health in Parliament.”

Pauline Sparks, Rethink services manager, said: “I’m delighted that Sue could come and see the work we are doing here at The Oasis. It is this kind of community venture, supporting people with experience of mental health problems with work experience and training, that can help people’s recovery. We invite candidates of all parties to visit and hear the first-hand experiences of the people who front the service.”

The Oasis is a popular refreshment kiosk in the heart of Dorchester’s award winning park, Borough Gardens. It provides people with mental health problems with the opportunity to gain a Level 2 award in Food Safety and Catering with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health while gaining real life work experience.

Rethink is gathering signatures to a petition urging the new government to take mental health seriously, to protect mental health services such as The Oasis.  Almost 7,000 signatures have been collected so far and 400 prospective parliamentary candidates have signed Rethink’s pledge to support mental health.

To sign Rethink’s mental health petition go to: www.rethink.org/petition

Dr Sue Farrant chairs the Bridport Public Meeting on WDDC proposed new offices

The second public meeting to discuss West Dorset District Council’s plans for a brand new headquarters at the Charles Street site in Dorchester attracted an audience of 80 people at Bridport Town Hall last night.

Dr Sue Farrant, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for the West Dorset constituency, chaired the meeting and opened proceedings with introductory remarks and the agenda for the evening.

Councillor Paul Sample JP, former Leader of Salisbury District Council, spoke to the public about the parallels between his experience in Salisbury and the present situation in West Dorset.

Cllr Sample said assurances were made to him by the Council that the Salisbury project would ultimately save money, increase efficiency and enable the Council to retain staff.

From the outset of the project to today, the cost has soared from £5 million to somewhere near £20 million.

Cllr Sample urged the community of West Dorset to rally together and do what it takes to force the Council to scrap the plan. The people of Wiltshire were incensed by what happened, but it was too late for them to stop the project from going ahead.

Cllr Sample said: “The Salisbury Council Leaders and Officers brought local government into disrepute and paid for it with their jobs. I hope the people of West Dorset will stand up and be counted. Learn from the Salisbury experience and turf them out and turf their plans out.”

The floor was then opened up to the public to raise any issues and ask questions, which were answered by Cllr Stella Jones, leader of the Liberal Democrat Councillors.

Issues covered included the environmental benefits of the plan and had there been a proper audit on the new or existing site. The costs just don’t stack up and is the legality of the procurement process sound under European Law? There is plenty of office space in the Dorchester area to rent, especially in Poundbury, so why not use that instead? One person stated that this was a ‘frivolous waste of money’ at this time of economic hardship.

There was anger for a second time that the Council Leader Cllr Robert Gould and the Chief Executive David Clarke refused to attend the meeting or allowed other Conservative Council Officers to come. People were ‘deeply offended’ by their absence and the arrogance they have displayed by not giving the public a proper consultation period.

In a strongly worded letter to Cllr Gould this morning, Sue Farrant said: “As at the Dorchester meeting, there was considerable anger in Bridport about your refusal to attend, made worse by your refusal to allow WDDC officers to come either. The feeling of the meeting was that you should be willing to face Council Tax payers and justify the case for the new offices and to do otherwise is both undemocratic and arrogant.”

One member at the meeting called for a motion asking for the resignation of Robert Gould. It was seconded and carried unanimously.

The meeting was concluded with the question to the audience, ‘Are you in favour of the proposed plan as it currently stands?’ In a show of hands, the response was unanimously ‘against’ the motion.

Paddy Ashdown, Dr Sue Farrant talk to Katie about her work

Dr Sue Farrant, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for West Dorset, visited the Arts Centre in Bridport this week to view an exhibition organised by Rethink, the national mental health charity.

Accompanied by former Liberal Democrat leader, Paddy Ashdown, Sue Farrant viewed a gallery of self-portraits painted by people affected by mental health issues. The exhibition was named ‘Rethink Parliament’ and enabled the participants to explore the themes of Parliament and what politics means to them.

A charity which is very close to her heart and one that she champions, Sue met with a couple of the artists, Katie Dare and David Russell, and spoke to them about their experiences.

Sue Farrant said: “Meeting Katie and David today was such a delight. It is marvellous to see what Rethink is doing for people and giving them the opportunity of a better quality of life. It is invaluable work that needs as much support as we can give it.”

Pauline Sparks, Services Manager for Dorset, welcomed the opportunity to meet Sue. She said: “It is encouraging that the candidates have signed the Rethink pledge to champion mental health in the next Parliament should they be elected. Mental illness is an issue that still has a great deal of stigma attached to it.

“We need politicians of all parties to be willing and vocal about standing up for mental health services, especially in a climate of spending cuts where they can often seem like a soft target, despite serving some of the most vulnerable in our society.”

Rethink service users and carers will be working with international artist Rachel Gadsden in 16 workshops in England up until July 2010. The portraits produced by contributors will become part of a digital exhibition available to view on Parliamentary Outreach, Rethink and Disability Arts Online websites.