Councillor Paul Varnsverry

An interesting proposal has been put forward to mark the western approach to Northampton’s town centre.

Local artist Chris Fiddes has produced a design for a building bridging the highway, with two portals through which traffic would pass.

Quite how recently, or how far back, the idea originates is not stated, but the drawing depicts one of Northampton’s old double-decker buses passing through the structure. Artistic license, or perhaps a clue as to how long the artist has harboured his idea?

The overall impression reminds me of paintings of bridges which had buildings constructed on them, straddling rivers, like Bath’s Pulteney Bridge, which was inspired by the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, The Ponte dei Sospiri in Venice, or the Palladian Bridge in Buckinghamshire.

The proposed building would use stone reclaimed from Northampton Castle, once the favoured residence of Richard the Lionheart and King John, as well as being the seat of Parliament for 200 years.

The castle was ordered to be destroyed by Charles II, in retaliation for the town’s support of the Parliamentarians in the Civil War and its ruins were finally removed to make way for Northampton’s railway station, known as ‘Castle Station’, in the nineteenth century.

I like the idea of reusing the castle’s original stones, but not in the way proposed. There are plans to significantly re-engineer Northampton’s railway station and I have long held the view that it would be fitting to commemorate the important historic building that once occupied the site within the modern transport hub that forms part of the regeneration plans for Northampton.

If there must be a use for the location that would have been the site of the universally-opposed ‘Needle’, why not commemorate the role of internationally-reknowned Cosworth Engineering, whose base is nearby in St. James Mill Road, in showing Northampton in a positive light?

Whatever may become of Mr. Fiddes’ proposals, it is useful to have the opportunity to debate the possibilities for the Westbridge and Black Lion Hill area in advance.

The law of unintended consequences. ‘Chaos theory’. A butterfly flaps its wings in the Amazonian rain forest and a hurricane hits leafy West Sussex.

Or, a planning officer’s slip of the tongue generates a media frenzy.

Delapre Abbey has hit the local, regional and national broadcast and print media with a story that defies belief – and when the facts are explained, it really shouldn’t be believed.

The background is that a Northampton Borough Council planning officer was presenting a retrospective application for change of use, to enable the Friends of Delapre Abbey to continue to operate their popular tea room. In a momentary slip of the tongue, prompted by a question from a member of the planning committee, the officer stated the tea rooms would not be permitted to use the historic walled garden as an outdoor seating area for the tea room, as “We want to keep the walled garden as a peaceful space, and it was being disturbed by tea drinking.”

Such a remark is like gold dust to the media. They love a story which can be sold as “local authorities puts community-spirited individual/group under the cosh”. Of all the media to be offered the story, however, only a national radio station has bothered to check its sources – and decide not to broadcast.

This is because, as is often the case, the reality is rather more bland than the scream of the headlines.

This was a simple application for change of use. It was so uncontentious that not one representative of the applicant – the Friends of Delapre Abbey – had registered to speak. The Ward Councillor, Brendan Glynane, was the only speaker, and voiced his support for the tea room.

 The application was approved by a unanimous vote of the cross-party planning committee.

As I have stated on numerous occasions, the Friends’ tea room has been one of the best things to happen at Delapre Abbey. It has opened up the joys of the Abbey and parklands to a whole new clientele. Both new and regular visitors can walk the extensive grounds, enjoying the tranquillity and knowing they can conclude their visit with a hot beverage and freshly-prepared fare served by a band of enthusiastic volunteers who share a common love of the building and grounds. Along with a number of my colleagues, I have regularly visited the tea rooms. Patrons derive additional satisfaction from the experience, in the belief that they are supporting a community charity that is committed to the preservation and restoration of Delapre Abbey.

Sadly, an off-the-cuff remark by a planning officer has been seized upon by opposition politicians to poke fun at the council – the very council a number of them are also elected to, let us not forget. Blogs are being written, interviews are being given to national radio stations, the facts are being conveniently avoided; all in a bid to make political capital. Why, anyone would think there was an election looming!

That so many commentators can be so knowledgeable about what happened in last Tuesday’s planning committee, when less than a handful of them were present, gives a very good indication of why the public feels it has good cause to challenge the integrity of politicians. “You couldn’t make it up!” In this case, they have.

And all the time the worthy tea rooms are becoming mired by the fall-out.

The Delapre Abbey tea room saga is a prime example of the truth not being permitted to stand in the way of a good story.

A storm in a teacup; being milked for all it is worth.

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Northampton South, Paul Varnsverry, has challenged what he calls current MP Brian Binley’s “cynical populist statements” on out-of-town planning policy as the beleaguered MP fights to save his parliamentary seat following the Westminster expenses scandal.

Paul Varnsverry commented: “Brian Binley and his local Conservative associates are advocating that the go-ahead is given to new supermarkets in edge of town locations. Not only does this breach national planning policy and endanger the Guildhall Liberal Democrat administration’s efforts to breath new life back into Northampton’s town centre, it also flies in the face of his comments, as Chairman of the Conservative Parliamentary Enterprise Group, in the report ‘Healthy Towns Make for a Healthy Country’.

“How can he denounce the decline of our town centres in his own report, whilst simultaneously supporting a growth in the same out-of-town retail development that his report criticises? Evidently Mr. Binley will say anything just so he can garner a few extra votes. He is part of the problem and not part of the solution.” Paul added

Mr. Binley’s latest comments come hot on the heels of his contradictory positions on urban development, where he advocates cramming every empty space in the town with housing, whilst telling his soon to be ex-constituents in rural South Northants that he is opposed to growth.

“This is a clear sign that Mr. Binley is rattled and not as confident as he would like us to believe that the expenses scandal is not proving damaging to his prospects at the General Election. He is obviously desperately trying to be everyone’s friend, rather than speaking up for what is best for Northampton, its residents and businesses. It is time for him to go!” Paul concluded.

Senior Councillors have reacted angrily to the government’s announcement of a 0.5% rise in its 2010-11 grant settlement for the improving authority. Government funding, which accounts for 60% of the Council’s income, will be increased by just £94,211 to £18,936,385 next year, despite increased pressures on frontline services. 

The figures, released by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) yesterday, are based on a town population of 197,999. Meanwhile, government statisticians at the Office of National Statistics (ONS), project the figure to be 5% higher at 208,500. 

Responding to the announcement, Cabinet member for Finance David Perkins (Lib Dem, Boughton Green) said: “The average settlement for other authorities was 3%, which means we are being shortchanged by £470,000. 

“Had Northampton got its dues, we would not need to increase Council Tax by 2.47% this year.  “Northamptonians are tired of picking up the tab for government underfunding through increases in their Council Tax. “Frankly, it’s time that Councils were funded locally based on peoples’ ability to pay, rather than a cocktail of Council Tax and government handouts. 

“This year alone, the government’s Concessionary Bus Fare scheme is costing local taxpayers £1.3 million.

“Added to these farcical population figures, Northampton is losing out to the tune of £1.8 million.   

“It’s only thanks to the decisions we’ve taken to bring costs down and increase productivity that means we haven’t yet had to cut services. 

“At a time when more people than ever need the Council’s help, a 46p per year increase in government support for Northampton is a bitter pill to swallow.”

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Northampton South, Councillor Paul Varnsverry, Deputy Leader of Northampton Borough Council, added “David Perkins has succinctly captured the unfairness of how the Labour Government has treated the residents and businesses of Northampton for too long. Sadly, we can expect more of the same if there is a Conservative government after this year’s General Election.

“The people and businesses of Northampton need an MP who will speak up for their interests. They have seen the scale of improvements the Liberal Democrat administration at the Guildhall has achieved in three years, after two decades of Labour incompetence and another four of Conservative dithering. The town needs a Liberal Democrat MP in Westminster.”

Responding to twoa rticles in the Northampton Chronicle & Echo on Wednesday 20th January 2010, Paul Varnsverry writes: 

“Northampton’s small business owners will have read with horror how former Labour Council Leader, now Chronicle & Echo columnist, John Dickie, and Conservative opposition leader, David Palethorpe, think that national planning policy should be set aside and the viability of our town centre put at risk by yet more out-of-town supermarkets.

“Let us not forget that, as Labour Leader at the Guildhall, Mr Dickie put the Council on the road to Government monitoring, while Cllr Palethorpe was a member of the Conservative Cabinet that achieved nothing in its four years of office - aside from green-lighting the Delapre bund, threatening to close Lings Forum and closing public toilets.

“With Northampton already awash with supermarkets, offering not only the weekly shop, but clothes, holidays and mobiles, Alderman Dickie makes it clear that he is no friend of the independent retailer.  “More out-of-town supermarkets would, the evidence shows, lead to a scaled down town centre, devoid of high street names like Debenhams, Marks & Spencer and H&M – to say nothing of our Market Square.

“Not my problem” says Mr Dickie glibly in his article. No matter, so long as he can daily frequent his favourite café and regale his dwindling band of supporters with tales of ‘the good old days’ when he was Leader of the Council.

“Both Alderman Dickie and Cllr Palethorpe conveniently ignore the fact that rejuvenating Northampton’s long-neglected town centre is not driven by a parochial party policy, but by a sincere desire on our part to see new life breathed into our town, supported by national planning policy that recognizes the detrimental effect of uncontrolled out-of-town development.”

Commenting on the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standard’s ruling into Brian Binley MP’s use of public money, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Northampton South and Deputy Leader of Northampton Borough Council Cllr. Paul Varnsverry (Lib Dem, West Hunsbury) said: “Mr Binley is coming out of the corner fighting today in an attempt to put himself in a more positive public light. 

“He is now claiming credit for securing a change in parliamentary rules. The fact remains that Mr Binley twice renewed the lease on his flat, in full knowledge that his arrangements breached parliamentary rules at the time.

“The issue is not Mr Binley’s private wealth, or his position at the head of a profitable firm, but his judgement in pursuing an arrangement that the majority of his constituents would have found beyond their means in claiming work-related expenses.  

“Concerns have also been expressed at the lack of coverage in the local media, with allegations that ‘deals have been done’ to ensure the under-siege MP is not held to account by the press in his own constituency.

“Local press blackouts and national polls aside, Mr Binley’s real judgement day will come at the ballot box in a few weeks’ time, along with every other MP caught up in the expenses revelations.”

With the General Election due within 6 months Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidates across Northamptonshire have launched a ‘Clean Campaign Pledge’ and challenged their opponents to sign up in a bid to set clear standards for the coming election. 

The Clean Campaign Pledge makes the following commitments: 

• We will never lie to the electorate
• We will not make statements about our opponents without evidence to support them
• We will provide references for these statements on our web sites
• We will be honest about our past records, good and bad, and we will be open about the policies we would support as MPs
• We will publish details of major donors to our campaigns
• We will never let electioneering stop us fighting for our constituents

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Northampton South, Paul Varnsverry, said “This pledge will be made available on the local party and candidate websites, along with the evidence supporting statements we make. Every single member of the public should have access to the sources of the information that politicians want them to believe.” 

Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Northampton North Andrew Simpson said “After the expenses scandal people’s view of politicians is, rightfully, at an all time low. We want to try and restore trust by making sure electors know that our election campaign will stick to certain key principles. For example, any statements we make about our opponents will be referenced with evidence to support them. We will publish details of our major donors and make clear how our campaign is funded.” 

Scott Collins, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for South Northamptonshire, added “I hope in this election period that all candidates will sign up to this pledge. The rules are simple, unbiased and designed to ensure the electorate can make a fully informed decision about who will be their next MP.”

Read a copy of the Clean Campaign Pledge at: Liberal Democrat Clean Campaign Pledge

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Northampton South, Paul Varnsverry, has condemned rail operator London Midland for the way in which it has introduced increased charges for those making return journeys from both London and Birmingham.

Previously, anyone purchasing an Off-Peak Day Return has been able to complete their return journey without restriction. Effective from Monday January 4^th, however, the new changes will require any train passenger leaving London Euston between 4.45 pm and 6.45 pm and Birmingham New Street between 4.35 pm and 6.00 pm to pay for an Anytime Day Return – more than doubling the cost of their train journey!

Paul Varnsverry has criticised London Midland’s actions, stating “This seems to have been sneaked in on the back of the general fares changes and will come as a shock to passengers who will expect to pay £22.90 for an Off-Peak Day Return, and be shocked even more when they are informed they must pay the difference for a £46.80 Anytime Day Return if they want to take an earlier train home. It is going to hit tourists travelling to London, as well as anyone visiting the NEC or returning home from Birmingham International Airport.

“London Midland announced the changes on their web site on 22^nd December - just before the Christmas holiday - which means the first many off-peak travellers will know of it is when they turn up this week and are told they must pay the higher fares. To add to confusion, late on Sunday evening the National Rail Enquiries website was still quoting the Off-Peak Day Return ticket as being valid at the new peak afternoon times!

“London Midland’s decision to implement these changes for of-peak rail travellers is astounding at a time when everyone is being urged to use public transport in order to help reduce global warming,”

The national planning policy which safeguards town centre businesses from fringe-of-town retail developments has been reconfirmed in a new publication, released today.

Planning Policy Statement 4 - “Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth” -replaces a number of previous policy documents, whose provisions are now incorporated within the new PPS4. These include “Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning for Town Centres” (PPS6) which was originally published on 21 March 2005.

Paul Varnsverry said he welcomed the continuation of policy to reinvigorate town centres. “The Borough Council has been criticised with regard to its policy position on proposals for fringe-of-town retail developments.  The confirmation of the original, 2005 policy statement objectives in the new PPS4 is a further vindication that the council’s stance is correct.

“Whilst the new policy has seeen a degree of loosening up of certain restrictions; clearly, development proposals for edge-of-centre and out-of-centre retail sites are still required to pass the test proving they will not prove detrimental to the viability and vitality of town centre businesses before they can proceed.”

A copy of PPS4 can be downloaded from:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/towncentresguide.pdf

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Paul Varnsverry