Avon Valley • Summer 2007

County Hall Trowbridge

Printed published and promoted by Martin Lee on behalf of the Avon Valley Liberal Democrats, all at 33 Philip Rd, Durrington, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 8DX.

www.libdems.org.uk Distributed FREE to residents in Bulford, Durrington, Larkhill, Milston & Figheldean by the Liberal Democrats.

Conservative-run Salisbury District Council signed a £15.4 million building contract for Bourne Hill on 27th April -just a few days before the electors removed them from office!

They signed the contract in the knowledge that the Liberal Democrats and Labour were opposed to the project. They did so even before the outcome of the Government's Local Government Review, which has abolished Salisbury DC, was known. The newly elected Liberal Democrat/Labour administration has already set about finding ways of sorting out the catastrophic financial mess and fulfilling its election promises. We want to run Salisbury District Council in the most democratic way possible. We have asked local residents for your views, listened to what you have to say and are now carrying out your wishes. Already every household in the District has had the chance to express a view on the best course of action over the

controversial Bourne Hill Office Project. Nearly 11,000 people took part in the consultation. Thank you to everyone who

joined in the consultation and responded to

questionnaire. The result was:

Cancel 2,461 (24%)

Modify 5,426 (53%)

Go Ahead 2,155 (21%)

The most popular option chosen by local

residents, to modify the project, will provide the basis for repairing the crumbling Grade 2* Listed Building at Bourne Hill, restore the “Secret Garden”, save a number of mature trees and see a much-reduced extension, which is more in keeping with the original building . As a result of firm leadership and strong negotiating by Liberal Democrat Council Leader Paul Sample, the compensation costs paid to the contractor will cost £525,000 - not in excess of £2,000,000 as the Conservatives had claimed. Liberal Democrats will do all they can to dig the Council out of the financial mess which has been created by the Conservatives.

BOURNE HILL: WE ASKED…

YOU TOLD US… WE ACTED!

Bourne Hill: the then Tory run Council finalised the £15.4 million contract just 6 days before the local elections.

Salisbury District Council, your locally accountable

Council, is to be abolished - thanks to Trowbridge

based Conservative Councillors who run Wiltshire

County Council. On 25th July it was announced

that Tory-run Wiltshire County Council's bid to take

over all local Council functions in the area had been

approved by the Labour Government. Salisbury

District Council will be abolished by 2009. The

District Council is contesting the approval of the

County bid in the Courts. Local Liberal Democrats

have always supported a smaller, more approachable

council. But now that the decision has been made we

will work to ensure that the new Authority is local,

accountable and that your voice will be heard.”

LIB DEMS FULFIL ELECTION PLEDGE

Durrington's Lib Dem District Councillors have welcomed the news that Durrington Swimming and Fitness Centre will now be open on Bank Holidays. Cllr Graham Wright said “this is great news not just for Durrington, but for Bulford, Figheldean and the other villages along the Avon Valley”. Cllr Jo Broom said “the Lib Dems have made good another election pledge” .

Durrington Pool and other important leisure facilities had been closed by the previous administration on Bank Holidays - potentially periods of greatest use, to save money.

ENJOY YOUR BANK HOLIDAY - BY GOING FOR A SWIM AT DURRINGTON SWIMMING and FITNESS CENTRE!

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS -

KEEPING YOU INFORMED!

LOCAL DEMOCRACY ABOLISED