A debate over an allowance motion at Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) became particularly heated on Wednesday (April 7) as councillors argued over the motion. Cllr David Coole had proposed that the minority opposition group leader on the council, himself, should be paid a special responsibilities allowance (SRA). These allowances are given to support extra work undertaken by councillors with additional roles. He said that being paid the allowance was “a matter of complying with the constitution”. Other councillors, however, accused him of having a “total lack of respect” for TVBC and residents by asking for the payment. The motion proposed at a meeting of the full council on April 7 said that a SRA should be paid to the leader of the minority opposition group, and backdated to May 2019. Cllr Coole argued that by having three members, the Andover Independents Party is an opposition group on the council.
PLANS have been put forward to build a brand-new Costa coffee drive-thru, The Advertiser can report. In news that will be welcomed by caffeine lovers, the chain has submitted proposals to build an outlet on the junction of Watery Lane and New Street, where the McDonald’s and BP garage sits. The coffee giant is proposing to demolish a former car dealership and convert it into a shop and drive-thru. Salisbury Jones Planning, which is representing the mega-brand, estimates the new outlet would create up to 18 full and part-time jobs. It notes in its application: “Costa Limited do not use zero hours contracts. There is a bonus scheme for all employees and they have a high internal promotion rate. All employees are paid at least the minimum wage for 25+ year olds, regardless of their age.”
Posting to Facebook this morning (February 5), Cllr Phil North said: It has been confirmed today that the scheduled elections due to take place on the 6th May this year WILL be going ahead. In our area that means a full set of Hampshire County Council elections, the Police and Crime Commissioner poll and Test Valley Borough Council and Andover Town Council by-elections delayed from last year.” However, he added: To be honest, I’ve got mixed views on this. On the one hand, timely elections are essential for our democracy. On the other, I know some people will be concerned about voting in person.
Andover’s Mayor has said that his party will not put forward candidates if an election is held in May over safety concerns. Councillor Richard Rowles told the Advertiser that the recently re-registered Andover Alliance would not put forward candidates for the local elections due to be held in three months time as it is “irresponsible” to do so. He urged other parties to follow his lead. His comments follow a survey which suggests nearly 95 per cent of councils in the UK have concerns about the possibility of running a May election. The Andover Alliance was temporarily de-registered by the Electoral Commission in November after Cllr Rowles allowed the registration to lapse, having been locked in a stalemate following the expulsion of Cllr David Coole, the party’s nominating officer, meaning that the party was unable to use its name and description in elections without his permission.