The list of candidates are:

• Zilliah Brooks (Conservative)
• Christine Forrester (UKIP)
• Dean Marriner (Green Party)
• Michael Mumford (Labour)

There is no Liberal Democrat candidate listed.

A by-election was announced by the County Council following the resignation of the local Member, Pat West.

Polling will take place on Thursday 7 May 2015 – the same day as polling in the Parliamentary Election, and district council elections being held in some parts of Hampshire. Test Valley Borough Council is running the by-election on behalf of Hampshire County Council

Andover West residents who have not registered to vote will need to do so by Monday 20 April.

New applications for a postal vote must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at Beech Hurst, Weyhill Road, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 3AJ by 5pm on Tuesday 21 April. Applications to vote by proxy must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at Beech Hurst, Weyhill Road, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 3AJ by 5pm on Tuesday 28 April.

www.testvalley.gov.uk/aboutyourcouncil/localdemocracy/elections/elections/

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on 7 May and for further information see www.hants.gov.uk/elections

Previous election results for Andover West can be found here.

Dan Hill, the Green Party Parliamentary Candidate for North West Hampshire said: “At a time where there is growing concern about the provision of affordable housing, we are seeing a local development trying to reduce the number of affordable homes they will provide. I think this is unacceptable.”

Augusta Park in East Anton will consist of 2,500 homes and is part of Test Valley’s commitment to providing 10,000 new homes by 2026. However, developers Taylor Wimpey have lodged an application to reduce the number of affordable homes from 40 per cent to 30 per cent.

Dan continued “We welcome that the development considers sustainability, with the inclusion of solar panels and air source heat pumps. However, we must ensure these energy and cost-saving features are available to all, especially people who are worrying how they will find next month’s rent and those on a waiting list for a home.”

Keith Taylor, Green MEP for South East England, has launched his new housing report in Hampshire (Wednesday 8th April). The public meeting “Everyone knows we have a housing crisis: let’s do something it” took place in Winchester, the UK’s second least affordable place to live in the UK and Keith was be joined by a panel of housing experts.

Keith Taylor said: “It is disappointing that developers are looking to reduce the number of affordable homes it will provide in Andover. It is time to move away from treating houses purely as financial assets to be shuffled around for maximum gain and instead ensure that we provide decent and affordable homes that meet people’s needs.”

“This report demonstrates that housing has become unsustainably expensive, and that fresh political will and innovative mechanisms are needed to make housing work for people again. I hope the council will listen to the concerns of local residents and ensure this application is rejected.”

North West Hampshire Greens are also concerned that Hampshire County Council agreed that developers can build an additional 350 properties on land which was originally safeguarded for a secondary school.

Keith Taylor MEP’s report can be accessed here – Housing Crisis Report

The Andover 4Networking group have invited all the candidates running to represent North West Hampshire in parliament to join us for their next breakfast networking meeting.

It will be your chance to hear what our local politicians have to say, and ask them questions directly. Of course you will also be able to network with lots of lovely local businesses!

Confirmed attendees:

• Andrew Adam (Labour Party)
• Sue Perkins (UKIP)
• Dan Hill (Green Party)

Unconfirmed attendees:

• Kit Malthouse (Conservative)
• Alex Payton (Liberal Democrats)

You can find out full details of the networking meeting at www.4networking.biz/Events/Details/56124.

The cost of the event is £12, which includes full buffet breakfast and tea, coffee etc.

If you would like to find out more, or if you would like to book into the morning please email Adam Lovelock – adam.lovelock@astonishemail.com

VIA was founded seven years ago by Bill MacLeod, himself a former Royal Engineer, focussing on helping veterans with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other physical and mental injuries. They have become well known for their expeditions for veterans across the UK and the world, rebuilding a sense of team dynamic and collective mission with psychological and other benefits.

Kit met Billy and some of his team to discuss the mission of the charity and understand their future plans. Their next expedition sets off from Andover High Street on May 4th at 10am and is called the WALK 4 PTSD. Taking over 4 months the team intend to walk the entire coastline of the UK, starting and finishing in Andover and fundraising along the way.

Kit Malthouse said “VIA have a compelling mission that offers guidance and fulfilment to many veterans suffering from psychological and physical injuries. It was great to meet such a dedicated team doing such valuable work. I wish them the best of luck as they prepare for their next impressive mission.”

For more information on WALK 4 PTSD go to the VIA website.

Both Sir George and Kit Malthouse, his successor as conservative candidate, believe that educational standards are key to the future prosperity of the town and so following a visit to the school last month, they met with Ian Comfort, Chief Executive of the Academies Enterprise Trust (AET) to discuss their plans for Winton and what can be done to help.

AET took over the former Winton School in late 2011 and have been working hard to drive up achievement in the school, including hiring a new Headteacher last year.

Mr Comfort raised a number of issues which fall to government to resolve, particularly the funding formula and he was keen to strengthen the links with the feeder primary schools, building on work carried out in Birmingham where a closer partnership had produced promising results.

Kit Malthouse had already held a meeting with the Leader of Hampshire County Council, Cllr Roy Perry, when he raised the challenges facing all three secondary schools in the town and lobbied for a sustained effort to raise standards.

Sir George said: “Both Kit and I have met the new Head of the school, Nathan Thomas, who showed us round a few weeks ago. We were both impressed, and the school recognises that it has to raise its game. The school has much going for it – small classes and motivated teachers – and the predicted outcomes for this year’s exam results are a significant improvement on last year.”

Kit Malthouse said: “Raising school standards across the board is possibly the most important issue facing Andover today. Great schools turning out highly literate and numerate kids with the skills to progress will be the foundation of a bright future for the town. As Winton shows, we are getting there, but more can be done, and whoever wins the election on May 7th absolutely must put their shoulder to the wheel to help.”

Earlier in the morning Kit Malthouse, the Conservative parliamentary candidate, submitted his nomination papers to officials at Beech Hurst, the Test Valley Borough Council HQ, alongside papers for TVBC councillors and Zilliah Brooks, the Conservative candidate for the county council division of Andover West, where there will be a by-election on May 7th.

Kit Malthouse said: “Since I was selected last year it has been in incredible whirlwind of meeting people and organisations across this huge constituency. Now we are into the final stages of the campaign I will be fighting hard for every single vote and making sure our hardworking councillors are returned as well.”

“Five years ago this country was nearly bankrupt. Since then we have turned it around, and while there are still a lot of difficult decisions to face and problems to solve, we have created 1,000 jobs a day and halved the deficit at the same time as cutting tax for over 26 million people.”

“Britain is back on track, but we aren’t out of the woods. We need a Conservative government to complete the job and give us a referendum on Europe. I hope that people here in North West Hants will agree with me and vote conservative on May 7th.”

Kit will also be available to meet local residents at Butters Cafe in the High Street between 5.00pm and 7.00pm on Tuesday 7th April.

The survey says “The government has focused improvements on the South West Mainline. The line to Salisbury and Exeter has been an orphan line, neglected and steadily becoming more crowded with no service enhancements.”

“The Lib Dems are demanding improvements. Join us in the call for action.”

To complete the survey go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/N25QDR9

A spokesperson for the local Green Party said “The litter situation in Andover is serious. The good news is that your local Green candidates have been out lending a helping hand to the Friends of Ladies Walk litter pick, even before all the negative press hit this week’s local paper.”

“Friends of Ladies Walk is a new community initiative, supported by TVBC and its Lady Mayor. Its aim is to care for one of Andover’s prized assets and to encourage local people to become involved.”

“Whilst the Andover Green Party is still very young, its members and supporters have been helping out in the community for a long time. We believe that grassroots initiatives and community projects are important in creating a thriving local economy. The party is welcoming new members every week to help out with events of this nature.”

Local council candidate for Millway Dean Marriner said “The litter team was made up of seven local volunteers and we collected nearly twenty bags. I would like to encourage more members of the public to get involved with projects like this.”

“It took just one hour on a Saturday morning, which meant I still had the rest of my day to spend with my family. I felt good all weekend, knowing that I had helped out and made a difference for my community.”

The Andover Green Party has organised a meeting on Wednesday 8th April at 8.00pm to discuss the election campaign and future community events. If you would like to join them, please contact Dean Marriner at dean.marriner@greenparty.org.uk