Russell Holland (left) and Barrie Jenkins A ROW between two candidates for election to Swindon Borough Council hinges on the meaning of the word ‘precept’. The Conservative candidate for St Margaret and South Marston – and the council’s deputy leader with responsibility for finance – Russell Holland is annoyed at a claim made by Labour opponent Barrie Jennings in an election leaflet. In the literature delivered door to door Mr Jennings said he had obtained “agreement to freeze the Stratton parish precept two years in a row.” The precept is the portion of the total council tax collected which goes to differing authorities – in this case Stratton St Margaret Parish Council, where Mr Jennings is the chairman of the finance and general purpose committee.
Row breaks out over Stratton precept claims made in election leaflet swindonadvertiser.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from swindonadvertiser.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
DOZENS of people spent days looking for a lost rescue puppy after she ran off during a walk through Stratton. A passing lorry spooked five-month-old Cookie while owner Ann Kemp took her for a stroll down Ermin Street. The nervous Griffon cross escaped after running in and around Ann’s legs in a panic, twisting the lead and pulling her to the ground. A passerby tried to stop the speedy pup but this spooked her again and she ran away even faster towards The Crown pub. After reporting the Mauritius-born dog missing, Drove Vets alerted Ann to a sighting in the Rat Trap car park and further sightings came in from the fire station opposite and along the path to Stratton Woods.
She s one tough Cookie! Three-day search for runaway rescue pup in Stratton thisiswiltshire.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thisiswiltshire.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Every month, the branch donates to worthy causes based on employee votes. This month, they gave £750 to a scheme run by councillor Russell Holland and veteran fundraiser Alan Fletcher, and his guide dog Nutmeg. The donation has meant the fundraiser has almost hit its £2,500 target. Money raised will go to Guide Dogs UK, and the community will then have an opportunity to decide on a puppy’s name. Russell said: “A massive thank you to Honda for this donation. It’s really generous and really helped us. It’s a great step forward.” He said the idea for the fundraiser came when Alan’s guide dog Nutmeg was flooded with birthday messages.