Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Ian Carr, has issued a statement after Hampshire County Councillor Tony Hooke posted on his Facebook page about the A-Boards.
The post from Cllr Tony Hooke and response from Cllr Ian Carr are as follows:
Statement from Cllr Ian Carr
Many of you will have seen the recent statement issued by HCC Cllr Tony Hooke claiming that I had a meeting with Diane James MEP and that the A- Board issue had been resolved. This is NOT the case and is yet another lie from Cllr Hooke and UKIP.
No such meeting took place and there is no resolution to the issue, I was not even in Beech Hurst when she wandered into reception. Although I must admit that I am confused as to why she visited our offices, when, as Cllr Hooke well knows, it is a County Council responsibility.
As someone who has run small businesses in the Town, I understand the importance of advertising and promotion, I am, therefore, very keen to support Andover’s local traders. I believe that a licensing scheme for A–boards could potentially offer a solution to the current impasse.
However, this is a highways matter and is the responsibility of Hampshire County Council as the highway authority. The more that I have thought about this and considered the complications and issues, the more I have come to my first view that such a scheme should be administered by the County Council on a county wide basis.
There is no vendetta against Andover local businesses by HCC or TVBC, more a conspiracy by two particular serial complainants to make life as difficult as they can for the local councils.
That being said, I remain committed to completing my investigations into licensing schemes and also to finding other ways in which the Borough Council can support traders.
Councillor Tony Hooke on his Facebook Page
Our local businesses fight back, with the support of Diane James, UKIP MEP with Cllr Tony Hooke, County Councillor.
Diane James UKIP MEP was in Andover High Street yesterday, leading a protest against the ludicrous decision by Hampshire County Council to remove small business A-Frame advertising boards from the pedestrianised town centre. It is an appalling situation, when small businesses are struggling in this current economic climate, to have a Tory Council threaten criminal prosecution and a fine of up to £1000 against any small retailer who did not comply with their bullying instruction.
At 1300 hrs on Friday afternoon, Diane went to the Borough Council offices to sort the matter out personally with the Leader. Diane stated “ It is the height of ridiculousness to take away the prime mechanism of small businesses’ the ability to promote themselves”
As a direct result of her intervention, the story is starting to leak from the Tory group of Councillors that they will do a complete u-turn and allow the a-frames to remain. Common sense solution to what could have been for small retailers an absolute disaster. The sooner we get candidates like Diane James elected into Westminster, the sooner we will get this Country back on its feet.
What a breath of fresh air.
Why not pay people to wear the A board’s thus creating employment and removing the A board’s from a place people could potentially trip on it. Job done
UKIP lies yet again and the Hooke fella continues to annoy me……
Well what ever the outcome, at least Cllr Hook and Diane James UKIP MEP, gave the retailers their support on this issue, unlike the Tories who seem to be adamant in the demise of the town centre.
Further what happened to the plan to develop the George yard car park for more retailers, that was the idea way back in 2006, but nothing ever came of it, yet another false statement from TVBC.
In Feb 2013 Cllr Carr issued this press release – TEST Valley Borough Council suspended action against Andover traders who display A board advertisements in the town Centre following publication of the story on the front page of Friday’s Andover Advertiser. Council leader Ian Carr said: “I have seen some of the comments about the current action being taken by the Council against shopkeepers for unauthorised advertisements, following a recent complaint. “I recognise the need to uphold the law but I am worried that the current action may harm the vitality of Andover town centre. “This is a subject which is particularly close to my heart having recently chaired the Andover Summit seeking ways to reinvigorate the town centre. I have, therefore, personally intervened and asked officers to suspend all current action in the town in relation to unauthorised advertising, which includes ‘A’ boards.
And now its a HCC highways issue ! – so has Cllr Carr washed his hands of it or was he mis-leading us back then – or without anyone knowing it changed hands which is why people are going to TVBC and not HCC
Calling people a liar without any evidence to support the claim is wrong.
This is a ridiculous situation and for the local politicians and our NP to keep passing the buck is unacceptable. Not one of them are capable of making a decision.
Local elections soon. Ideal time to sweep out the old and bring in the new. .
*MP* !
I have read the article by Cllr Hooke and the statement by Cllr Carr. I also spoke to Diane James MEP.
Diane James went up to TVBC at 1pm, to speak to Cllr Carr. He either wasn’t there or refused to see her, don’t know which.
No where in the statement does it state she spoke to Cllr Carr. I quote: “At 1300 hrs on Friday afternoon, Diane went to the Borough Council offices to sort the matter out personally with the Leader. Diane stated “ It is the height of ridiculousness to take away the prime mechanism of small businesses’ the ability to promote themselves”
Cllr Carr admits Diane James was at TVBC “I was not even in Beech Hurst when she wandered into reception. Although I must admit that I am confused as to why she visited our offices”
If I was Cllr Hooke, I would be talking to my solicitor about defamation and damages.
Cllr Carr really does need to read the report before making such allegations! And for the record, TVBC is not his personal property, we are allowed to go there.