CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a homeless shelter in the middle of a quiet residential area will be a test for three new councillors, it has been warned. The ward of Brookvale & Kings Furlong elected three new public representatives after the town went to the polls last week - Conservatives Arun Mummalaneni and Sam Jeans and Labour’s Michael Howard-Sorrell. The trio replace long-standing councillors Jack Cousens and Mike Westbrook, both formerly of Labour, who quit the party in 2019 before forming the Basingstoke & Deane Independents Group. Residents previously expressed their concerns about anti-social behaviour, drugs and litter resulting from the site.
Basingstoke Gazette, May 13, 2021 The Conservatives are celebrating after securing a comfortable majority on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council with 33 councillors elected out of a possible 54. The party scooped significant wins in battleground wards in the all-out elections, gaining two seats in Brookvale & Kings Furlong - their first representation there since 1983. This will mean the party will have little opposition in pushing forward their agenda for the town and voting on pressing issues such as the ice rink, the Camrose and Anvil Arts. Basingstoke Labour meanwhile was counting its losses after losing one councillor in Brighton Hill, and two from Buckskin.