AS BASINGSTOKE and Deane prepares to go to the polls next month to elect its representatives, The Gazette has invited the political parties to share their vision for the borough.

Here, Paul Harvey, leader of the Basingstoke and Deane Independents, explains why his party should get your vote.

Formed in 2019, the party is preparing to stand in its first elections.

We believe as Basingstoke & Deane Independents, free from party politics, free from being whipped into line, that it’s the work we do that matters most.

Climate change is a priority. Action has to be focused in every decision the Council makes, delivering on clear carbon reduction targets. We must safeguard and enhance biodiversity throughout our Borough. We need a better more reliable waste service with better opportunities to recycle more.

Basingstoke & Deane faces huge decisions on development, with thousands of houses planned without the roads, schools or infrastructure to support them. The current developer free-for-all has to stop. After 26 years and a High Court ruling it’s a disgrace not one house has been built on Manydown, as a result our towns and villages have been dumped on.

We’re seeing too many flats built. We’ll invest in affordable social housing.

We believe our towns and villages need to be heard on planning their own future. We must stop top-down planning being imposed on people. We believe in localism – community led planning.

Economic recovery is about people. Our town and village centres need investment not parking charges or exorbitant rents preventing businesses recovering. We want an inward investment action plan. We need to use Basingstoke and Deane’s strengths to attract new businesses, jobs; retain our existing businesses by helping them. We’re one of the richest councils and we must invest in training, apprenticeships and new businesses. Economic success means reviving our town centre, not cramming it full of flats. It means listening to people. A Council that is far more in touch with people’s aspirations. We have to actively tackle inequality throughout our Borough.

We must sort out the Camrose mess and the ice rink, also not cut the Anvil grant by 50%. The Anvil is crucial to our Town Centre. Investing in grassroots sports helps families and people access leisure throughout the Borough. As Basingstoke grows we need the best leisure facilities not outlet centres competing with our Town Centre.

We support the push for a new hospital. We need to work with our schools – it’s ludicrous we’re busing children across Basingstoke because new housing estates do not have local schools.

We want improved local bus services. We want to work with health services to sort out the shortage of GPs and improve healthcare across Basingstoke & Deane.

We’re local councillors finding solutions to local issues people face.

Paul Harvey, leader, Basingstoke and Deane Independents