tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43500119709548371062012-02-17T18:28:31.907ZShepton in BlueWelcome to the Shepton Conservative blog. If you want to keep up to date with what's happening in Shepton from a Conservative viewpoint, read on!John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.comBlogger601100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-14088774550594525942012-01-14T17:45:00.000Z2012-01-14T17:45:44.674ZPlan B Bites The Dust.
Humble Pie is not a dish normally associated with the shadow chancellor. Ed "I caused the problem so I know how to fix it" Balls has finally had to eat a HUGE portion and admit that there is no Plan B for the economy and that George Osborne got it exactly right after all.
It must have been excruciatingly painful for the Labour bruiser to admit that he had been wrong after 2 years of treating usJohn Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-26999504145940100682012-01-05T12:32:00.000Z2012-01-05T12:32:56.713ZDeath and Council TaxIn 1817 Benjamin Franklin re-used a previous quote originally written by Daniel Defoe and said "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."
Many things have changed since 1817, but death and taxes have certainly survived!!
This week saw Shepton Mallet Town Councils annual fist fight over the budget and precept, to be fair, this time things were dealt with fairly John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-73193514641039505632011-12-24T12:11:00.000Z2011-12-24T12:11:03.552ZThe Political Advent CalenderJust in case you missed it, here are the entries for Matt Chorley's brilliant political advent calender, I hope you enjoy it, have a very Happy Christmas and I'll be back with my review of the year next week.
Day 1 Disaster at the Treasury Christmas lunch. The goose is cooked but the tax credits are still frozenDay 2 Shoplifting row in the garden centre. Chris Huhne denies asking someone else John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-81159234754377348002011-12-17T16:47:00.000Z2011-12-17T16:47:04.330ZThe New Sheriff Rides Into Town2012 will be a tough year for sure, even the PM reckons it will be tougher than 2011 and just about everyone I know is preparing themselves for the worst. One thing on the horizon that has not had an awful lot of publicity so far is the fact that in 11 months time we will be going to the polls to elect our "chief of police", or Sheriff as they call them in America, ours will have the catchy titleJohn Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-69058168601700281992011-12-14T11:04:00.000Z2011-12-14T11:04:38.371ZThe Cameron Bounce is confirmedOver the weekend I blogged about David Cameron's use of the Veto at the Euro summit last week, and how I thought that he had done exactly the right thing for both the government and the country, I also spoke about how the chattering classes, especially auntie BBC, had started to have palpitations at the thought that we might take a couple of steps backwards from Europe, there were claims that John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-86231375798017257742011-12-11T20:19:00.000Z2011-12-11T20:19:10.333ZDidn't He do Well!!!!I first met David Cameron shortly after he had become leader of the party, he was doing the "plastic chicken" circuit of all the party constituencies and he came to a lunch at the Bath & West showground. I have to say that I was impressed by his performance that day, although I did have doubts about his leftish policies. I discussed my fears with one of his aides that day and I expressed my view John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-22038724639066736852011-11-27T15:43:00.000Z2011-11-27T15:43:13.436ZThe Gospel according to TwitterMichael Gove announced this week that every school in the country is to get a copy of the latest version of the King James Bible, with a forward written by the man himself. This was immediately pounced upon by the chattering classes and dubbed "Goves Bible", the "Bible according to Gove" or "The book of Gove".
The twitterati then got to work suggesting what the bible may contain, and in additionJohn Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-61493376421431911632011-11-27T14:47:00.000Z2011-11-27T14:47:50.169ZLabour in hock to their paymasters.With public sector strikes due to occur this week, the Labour party is in its normal state of turmoil and inaction. MP after MP have been hitting the airwaves this weekend but what have they been saying?
Not once have I heard any sort of condemnation of these strikes that will hit the people that they are so called supposed to be representing harder than anyone else, and why is this happening, John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-14191816431195401382011-11-08T18:36:00.000Z2011-11-08T18:36:43.403ZSkewered lIve on BBC RadioIf you want a good laugh, listen to one of the Liberal Democrats finest, Cllr Danny Unwin, Mayor of Wells, being interviewed live on BBC Somerset this morning about car park charges. The clip starts at 1:47:20 and lasts 4 minutes or so, I laughed so much I nearly choked on my meusli. I don't need to add anything. Here is the link. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00lc074/John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-1895627202763104562011-11-08T10:54:00.000Z2011-11-08T10:54:52.517ZParking mattersAs portfolio holder for Regulatory services at Mendip, one of my more challenging responsibilities is to oversee the car parking regime across the district.
Car park charges are like any other taxes and things like the bubonic plague and botulism, in other words, not universally popular. However as a council we have a duty to provide sufficient and well managed car parks that are properly John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-54294488532833779242011-10-31T11:31:00.000Z2011-10-31T11:31:57.338ZThe Nuclear OptionToday (Monday) should see the application for a new Nuclear Power station at Hinkley point submitted. If approved, Hinkley C will be built on the site where the old Hinkley A Magnox reactor and Hinkley B the Advanced Gas Cooled Reactor, are currently located.
As part of my new "Community Safety" brief at Mendip, I was invited to attend one of the regular Hinkley Site Stakeholder meetings in John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-73369261354300691612011-10-12T20:35:00.000+01:002011-10-12T20:35:39.139+01:00Opportunity MissedAfter the May elections this year, and the dust settled allowing the new batch of councillors to settle in to their new roles, Stuart Brown, CEO of Mendip District Council offered each and every member the opportunity of a "walk about" around the ward, to look at issues first hand and to discuss with the newly elected councillors their vision for the future.
During my walkabout with Mr Brown, I John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-67447311867503198662011-10-09T23:08:00.000+01:002011-10-09T23:08:57.412+01:00Break out the thermals, Ice Age on the way!The party conference season has come and gone, the normal stage managed theatricals dispensed with for another year, and what did we learn?
Well "cat gate" highlighted the lunacy of the Human Rights Act for all to see, Ken Clarke highlighted his liberal credentials, (nothing new there), Ed Balls proved that he should not be allowed within a light year of the economy ever again, and Ed Milliband John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-67090188496464470042011-10-07T16:41:00.000+01:002011-10-07T16:41:54.455+01:00Greek LunacyIt appears the Greeks have been taking economic lessons from Ed Balls, he of "the only way to cut the deficit is to borrow more" school of economics.
I read today that the Greek government, in debt up to their eyebrows and beyond, with a supposed austerity drive being fought at every step by the disgruntled public, have ordered no less than 400 battle tanks from the USA to supplement their John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-62655030123658433292011-10-05T14:22:00.000+01:002011-10-05T14:22:27.361+01:00Quitting the Euro - By Daniel Hannan - The Corner - National Review OnlineEveryone should read this. Dan Hannan nearly always makes sense, this time he hits the nail firmly on the head.Quitting the Euro - By Daniel Hannan - The Corner - National Review OnlineJohn Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-51118098545098010932011-09-13T14:19:00.000+01:002011-09-13T18:18:39.499+01:00Boundary Review: Massive changes for SomersetThe long awaited report from the Boundary Commission has been published today, I should be fishing in the Channel Islands and unable to comment, but Hurricane Katya has forced us to postpone for 24 hrs and so there is no escape!!!!
However, the afore mentioned report has thrown up quite a few changes to the local Parliamentary Constituencies, so I thought I would just comment on the proposals soJohn Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-214485420925476402011-09-03T19:09:00.000+01:002011-09-03T19:09:55.251+01:00More woes for Labour.Things have been far from well with Her Majesty’s Opposition for many years, lack of leadership, wrong leaders elected, thieving MP’s sent to prison, a new scandal gets added to the increasing list almost daily. Then there is the political positioning, having taken a gigantic lurch to the left with the appointment of Brown, followed by the hapless Milliband, they find themselves on the wrong sideJohn Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-54292295284589200092011-08-13T16:26:00.000+01:002011-08-13T16:26:04.983+01:00A Wake Up Call for Us All There can't have been many people who were not as shocked as I was when viewing the sheer lawlessness displayed on the streets of our major cities during the last week. We often hear about young tearaways up to no good, we even get some of it around here at times, but the scale of the violence and looting carried out by children and young adults was of a whole new order.
The inquests to what John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-78083996965687700602011-08-08T10:15:00.000+01:002011-08-08T10:15:41.362+01:00The things they wish they hadn't said!! There are times in your life when things you have said in the past come back to haunt you. With the continuing turmoil in the markets across the globe, and the potential meltdown of the Euro, I thought it might be interesting to look at what some of our illustrious leaders have said in the past.
"The reality of the euro has exposed the absurdity of many anti-European scares while increasing John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-69126513822524322022011-07-22T22:00:00.000+01:002011-07-22T22:00:43.158+01:00Beware of bearing gifts to the Greek'sIt been an interesting week one way or another, we've seen the Murdoch's up in front of the Commons Select Committee along with their former editor Rebeka Brooks to answer questions about phone hacking, why does this whole episode smack of chickens coming home to roost?
For the past three years or so the press have been constantly kicking the ball into an empty net regarding the MP's expenses, John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-52109634156207177062011-07-19T22:34:00.000+01:002011-07-19T22:34:48.792+01:00One for the old guys.This last weekend saw the annual Open Golf Championship played out over the magnificent links at Royal St. Georges Golf Club, Sandwich, Kent. As is usually the case, the great British weather played a huge part in proceedings with all four seasons coming and going within a few minutes, at one time on Sunday huge raindrops like goose eggs pelted down, followed a few seconds later by bright John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-23881171410367899962011-07-08T22:09:00.000+01:002011-07-08T22:09:03.680+01:00Look out we're backWell here it is! After a short summer recess, Shepton in Blue is back and better than ever (well I guess you'll be the judge of that).
What to write about now I'm back? Red Ed and his inability to lead Labour out of the wilderness, Nick Clegg and the rapidly disappearing Lib Dems, phone hacking and the demise of the Screws of the World, the Accommodation review at MDC or the crisis in the Euro John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-27142359019847920542011-06-09T17:53:00.000+01:002011-06-09T17:53:40.650+01:00When two world's collideAs a businessman and local councillor I have to be scrupulous to keep business and political matters entirely separate. The penalties for nest feathering are very severe, it is therefore essential that the public is fully aware what your interests are, and that you declare them when necessary.
Having said all that, I now find myself in a position where my professional expertise and my role as a John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-69094007359578169302011-05-27T15:59:00.000+01:002011-05-27T17:44:38.638+01:00Somerset gear up for the future.You have probably heard by now that the Somerset and Devon bid for funds to develop a high speed BroadBand network across both counties has been successful. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) put everyone out of their misery early on Friday morning when they announced that Somerset and Devon were to receive £31 million out of a total pot of £50 million to bring high speed John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-57119391494740671122011-05-21T11:32:00.000+01:002011-05-21T11:32:17.916+01:00Back in the Groove.It's been a sort of get back to normal week this week, I've even manged a few days of paid work, quite a change after spending pretty much all of the previous month involved in one way or another with elections, councils, or politics.
After changing portfolio's at Mendip, I've now got to get to grips with the all new "Regulatory" function, it appears that I have inherited Licensing, Car Parking John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-33832529872913405802011-05-12T17:03:00.000+01:002011-05-13T21:42:39.152+01:00Post Election Comment and a very sad lossHaving let the dust settle for a week, I thought it is about time that I looked at what happened last Thursday and what it all means in a wider context.
It is all too easy to get caught up in the euphoria that surrounds victory and sometimes we say things in the heat of the moment that we regret later, so I thought it better to wait a few days and then make a sober assessment of the results.
John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-4189312142502930052011-05-08T16:25:00.000+01:002011-05-08T16:25:44.410+01:00Election 2011, a Great Night for the ConservativesThe Story of Election Night in Pictures
The carnage starts, first result of the night and Peter Knibbs gains Beckington & Selwood from the Lib Dems.
Nigel Woolcombe - Adams returned to Mendip
Leader and Deputy happy with how things are going.
Tom Killen easily holds his seat, talks with Ron Forrest.
Another new Conservative Councillor, Wayne Closier welcomed by Stuart Brown CEO
Wayne Closier & John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-54998876174789236102011-05-04T18:16:00.000+01:002011-05-04T18:16:03.655+01:00The Chancellor of the Exchequer Visits Shepton MalletGeorge Osborne Arrives at Gaymers, Shepton Mallet
Harvey Siggs with the official welcome.
I saw the Lib Dems go that way!
Meeting the Candidates
There are how many elections in Shepton?
Jeannette Marsh introduced.
Garfield who!!!!!!? Discussing the local issues.
You can never get everyone to look at the camera!
One for the family album.
Now thats what you call a pose!John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-53565035873915568422011-05-01T10:09:00.000+01:002011-05-01T10:09:20.245+01:00Open letter to Shepton Mallet
May 5th will be a crucial day for Shepton Mallet. It is a day when the voters of the town get to choose whether they want to elect a forward looking, proactive, positive group of Conservative councillors, who will work hard to bring vitality back to our wonderful town, or whether we are to return to the bad old days of negativity, in fighting, jealousy and mismanagement that was the feature ofJohn Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-76755607270975068382011-04-27T23:15:00.000+01:002011-04-27T23:15:21.730+01:00Ashley Fox MEP campaigns in Shepton MalletAshley Fox MEP for the South West of England visits Shepton Mallet for some serious campaigning and to meet the Conservative activists.
Here is the story of the evening in pictures.Meeting the local Conservative Activists
Warm welcome to Shepton Mallet
On the doorstep
Discussing the EU budget being filmed by the BBC
The canvassing crew sets out.
All points of the compass covered.
Discussing the John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-64648076431727068252011-04-22T17:00:00.000+01:002011-04-22T17:00:45.759+01:00Winston Churchill on the Alternative Vote SystemIn 1931, Parliament debated the introduction of the Alternative Vote system. During the debate, Winston Churchill spoke passionately against the proposals, using the now famous quote "worthless votes for the most worthless candidates"
Below is a fuller text of what he said, Churchill was seldom wrong, the country heeded his words then and we need to heed them now.
The Government have, as it John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-90261970781552665522011-04-21T16:30:00.000+01:002011-04-21T16:30:46.383+01:00Doctor Osborne's medicine is workingIt appears that George Osborne's prescription for the economy may well be working as today we have seen official figures published that shows retail sales and car production up and public borrowing down.
Retail sales rose unexpectedly in March, up by 0.2 per cent month-on-month - defying experts' predictions of a 0.5 per cent plunge.
Car production in the UK also rose last month, with a total John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-67170761764145053362011-04-16T19:21:00.000+01:002011-04-18T16:25:56.846+01:00The Conservatives Hit the TownYour Conservative Candidates were out in force in Shepton Mallet today. The "Action Day" was called to ensure that everyone in the town had the opportunity to meet the candidates , discuss their concerns, and to find out what local politics in action is all about.
Conservatives from all across the county came to Shepton to support the local Town, District and County Council candidates in John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-3051117283719380292011-04-15T18:15:00.000+01:002011-04-15T18:15:39.548+01:00Local politics is hard on the feet!Voice croaking, feet throbbing, muscles aching, recognise the symptoms?
Well its not flu if that's what you are thinking, it's the penalty of running for election. Days spent delivering election literature to 4000 plus houses, evenings spent talking to people on their doorsteps about the challenges ahead, what our plans for the future are, how is this or that was allowed to happen etc etc.
Not John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-82781791191097472472011-04-09T17:27:00.000+01:002011-04-09T17:27:58.025+01:00250 Conservative councillors already elected !!!Nominations closed for the Local Council elections at midday on Monday last, (April 4th) and the nominations have now been published and analysed.
More than 9,000 councillors will be elected on May 5th, about 5,000 of which are currently held by the Conservatives, 1,800 the Liberal Democrats, 1,600 by Labour and 800 by other parties and independents.
Official nominations published yesterday John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-86529832715819231972011-03-28T16:13:00.000+01:002011-03-28T16:16:17.385+01:00The Final Act of Folly.Just less than a year ago, in the week immediately following the General Election, the National Press and TV concentrated themselves on the machinations going on in Westminster as the leaders of the various political parties conducted the horse trading that eventually led to the formation of the Coalition Government.
The discredited Labour government had been roundly rejected by the electorate, John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-54292702468686350592011-03-18T17:23:00.000Z2011-03-18T17:23:21.963ZHoist on their own Petard
After months of denying any wrongdoing, the Sainted Tessa, has finally admitted after all that she did owe Sedgemoor District Council money for falsely claiming discount on her council tax. Richard Kay of the Daily Mail has written this week that the Munter from Mark despite her holier than thou act, has coughed up the two and a half grand that she owed in council tax. (http://John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-40899599029604946312011-03-06T12:23:00.000Z2011-03-06T12:23:44.082ZThe Promised Land
Over five thousand years ago Moses said to the children of Israel "Pick up your shovel, mount your asses and camels, and I will lead you to the Promised Land."
Nearly 50 years ago, Harold Wilson said, "Lay down your shovels, sit on your asses, light up a camel; this is the Promised Land."Then the Somerset Liberal Democrats sold your shovel, taxed your asses, raised the price of camels, and John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-58853318752517708372011-03-05T17:31:00.000Z2011-03-05T17:31:41.077ZLib Dems hit all time low.
The triumphant return to Wells bandwagon by the Lib Dem leader suffered a serious derailment this week when the Lib Dems suffered their most crushing defeat so far at the Barnsley by-election. The by-election triggered by the resignation of a disgraced Labour expenses fiddler saw the Lib Dems reduced from 2nd to 6th place by the voters, with such a paltry return that they lost their £500 depositJohn Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-4412738494719020352011-02-25T10:19:00.000Z2011-02-25T10:19:40.820ZGood news on the economyIt's been a while coming, but at last there was good news this week on the economy.
Monday saw the figures published for tax revenues collected by the government during January, and while the tax take from ordinary working people was down, the very good news is that the tax take from business was sharply up, meaning that January saw the first fiscal surplus for over two years.
The reason that John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-23235013239806033302011-02-18T14:54:00.000Z2011-02-18T15:32:15.045ZThe Delusional Mrs HudsonSo another interesting week at the coal face comes to an end. So what shall I talk about this time, the budget at Mendip District Council, the budget at Somerset County Council, the planned increase of EU contributions or the delusional Mrs Hudson, mmmmmmmmm how about all four? Well OK then!
Wednesday evening saw the annual meeting to set the MDC budget for the coming year. Several members John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-77904141053312324352011-02-13T21:36:00.000Z2011-02-13T21:36:15.769ZThe cracks are showing.I think I should start this week by countering the completely hyped headline in this week’s newspapers that councillors are to get a £600 per year rise. The local press rarely let the facts get in the way of a good headline, especially in the run up to an election; however this one is completely irresponsible.
The truth of the matter is that an INDEPENDENT advisor has recommended that all of John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-48117191945134785642011-01-30T18:23:00.000Z2011-01-30T18:23:41.420ZA Councillors LotIt’s been one of those weeks when all the heartache that goes with the territory of being a councillor is forgotten because you have been able to achieve something tangible. Quite often our efforts go un-noticed and un-heralded by a public that either doesn’t care or is unaware of the things we do.The Library battle has changed all that for a while; after important meetings with Harvey Siggs and John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-2093845212158225742011-01-21T15:56:00.000Z2011-01-21T15:56:14.191ZThe Lib Dem Road to Hell!
It was illuminating to read the Shepton Journal today and to see the considered thoughts of Cllrs Kennedy and Horsfall in print. True to form in a letter full of factual inaccuracies, spin and deception, the duo try to re-write history to try to put the discredited Lib Dems in a more favourable light.They state that Somerset County Council does not have debt, it merely has a mortgage. I looked John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-73980416695859187532011-01-15T20:44:00.000Z2011-01-17T14:18:47.789ZLibraries, Fish and Responsible PoliticsA bit of a mixed bag from me this week, as there have been a few events that caught my attention.Firstly it was great to see a group of totally united Town and District councillors at the public meeting regarding the consultation on the future of our library in Shepton. Members of the public and politicians all spoke passionately in defence of our library, and to the full credit of John Osman, John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-41401462156622987632011-01-13T12:01:00.000Z2011-01-13T12:01:03.567ZShepton Mallet Library
For your information, here is the text of a letter that I have written to Somerset County Council Library Service setting out the reasons as I see them why the Library should be preserved.
(Picture of John Parham and Jeanette Marsh discussing Shepton Mallet Library with Ken Maddock leader of Somerset County Council in Shepton Mallet Market Place)
I write as District Councillor for Shepton John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-88061015374227710342011-01-08T18:29:00.000Z2011-01-08T18:29:38.467ZConservatives thwart Lib Dem/Labour attempt to increase taxes again!Firstly, can I take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy and prosperous New Year, look I know it's a little late, but in common with what seems to be 60% of the population, I've had the wretched flu bug that is going around and the last thing you can do if you get it is to sit in front of a computer putting your thoughts into any sort of order. I think I'm on the mend now, so if you see me inJohn Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-22150611803215591682010-12-16T22:59:00.000Z2010-12-17T09:01:11.746ZDebt and DeficitTo say that we had to make some difficult decisions this week would be the understatement of the century, after Eric Pickles announced on Monday afternoon the final settlement for Local Authorities for the next two years, the full horror of the scale of the cuts that have to be made started to sink in.We had prepared ourselves for what we thought was the worst case scenario, and though extremely John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-8695571066503594612010-12-11T18:42:00.000Z2010-12-11T20:51:22.571ZIs Clegg finished as Lib Dem leader?So another interesting week for the coalition comes to an end. As I predicted last week, the four headed Lib Dem snake reverted to type and went off in all directions at once. Clegg just about managed to get his ministers to vote alongside the government; however I suspect the votes in favour had more to do with fears of loss of the ministerial limousine than it did with any conviction that they John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-41483640167144930862010-12-06T18:28:00.000Z2010-12-06T18:28:13.789ZLib Dem chickens coming home to roost.I’ve made the point often enough with regard to local politics that it is awfully easy to snipe from the sidelines without all the facts at your disposal, and to pontificate as to how you will act in this situation or that, when you have little or no chance of having to enforce your view, or little likelihood of having to make good on your manifesto promises.Manifesto promises have often been theJohn Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-2177817501929468432010-11-27T12:05:00.000Z2010-11-27T12:05:17.693ZChristmas Shopping is coming.Firstly this week can I say a big thank you to everyone who is reading this blog on a regular basis, we now have hundreds of hardcore supporters and it is very gratifying that people take the time to read and contribute. For those who send me comments, again many thanks, there have been some very useful and thought provoking contributions, not all agreeing, but hey it's a free country. If you John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-36919938813001804702010-11-21T14:11:00.000Z2010-11-21T14:19:19.124ZTown Centre revival on the way.It’s been a little less frantic on the political front this week, and I’ve had the chance to catch up on a few of the things that I had to do in my business, and even earned some money for a change!!Late last week a client contacted me from Hastings who had a serious issue that he needed help with, so I decided to visit him on Monday, Hastings is not the easiest place to get to from this part of John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-84516612344985432222010-11-13T12:14:00.000Z2011-01-22T18:59:13.420ZLest we forget.As a councillor I get invited to attend many events during the course of the year, and whilst there is never enough time to put in an appearance at all of them, the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph is one that I feel extremely privileged to attend. I always find it very poignant and moving and I feel greatly honoured to be able to lay the wreath on behalf of the District Council as I John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-29039194632474520272010-11-08T16:22:00.000Z2010-11-08T16:22:39.477ZA credit to their generation.I had the great pleasure yesterday afternoon (Sunday) to be part of the welcoming party for the group of marchers representing all of the services on their “March for Honour” as they passed through Shepton. The group of young men involved in the march are truly a credit to themselves, their colleagues and the country as a whole. I have not spoken to a more polite, respectful and self assured John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-65940619816194577582010-11-06T11:30:00.000Z2010-11-06T11:30:10.684ZLet’s park that idea!!Well I did say last week that I hoped to finally have news about my parking scheme this week, and joy of joys it has come to pass.After many months of preparation, surveys, persuasion, prevarication, obstruction and finally agreement, Shepton will trial a parking refund scheme for 4 months as from the beginning of December.The general idea is thus; if you park in one of the town car parks and payJohn Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-40164071260895856482010-10-30T12:22:00.000+01:002010-10-30T15:31:03.340+01:00The website that dare not speak its name?It's been a strange week, I was prepared for it being busy, and it has not disappointed on that front, work has been manic and finding time for my council duties difficult, however it all fell into place eventually. That with three yes three games of skittles has fully occupied all of my time.
Monday's meeting of MDC Cabinet and the Corporate Management Team went well and plans for the future John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-72816937709693037562010-10-26T12:49:00.000+01:002010-10-26T12:49:21.179+01:00Challenge DeclinedIn my last blog I challenged our local Lib Dems to respond positively to the needs of Shepton Mallet and to come forward with any ideas that they may have. I am prepared to work with anyone who has the interests of the town at heart and who will work without prejudice for the good of the community.
To say that I've been disappointed so far is an understatement. Our new councillors website is John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-7322727706235269472010-10-23T12:47:00.000+01:002010-10-23T12:47:51.534+01:00What a week!!!Who ever described politics as boring and irrelevant can never have lived through a week like the last one, we've had the long awaited Comprehensive Spending Review, followed by all the analysis a predictions of either a golden future or death and disaster depending on which side of the political divide you stand. We also had a local by-election in Ashwick, Chilcompton and Stratton ward, which John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-24899155714071538062010-10-18T15:31:00.000+01:002010-10-19T11:44:05.170+01:00Labours' CutsIt makes me chuckle to read the musings of various Labour politicians regarding the comprehensive spending review that George Osborne will announce this Wednesday.
You would think to read the utter tripe coming forward, that the Labour Party had absolutely nothing to do with the current financial situation the country finds its self in, and whilst it may be argued that the full scale of the John Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4350011970954837106.post-71766294164423106732010-10-16T17:22:00.000+01:002010-10-16T17:22:34.042+01:00Getting StartedAfter several years of constant nagging I have finally succumbed to the pressure and started this blog.
Over the coming weeks and months I will try to keep you all informed with what is happening in Shepton Mallet, Shepton Town Council and Mendip District Council from a Shepton Conservative perspective, so if anyone has any queries or suggestions for future posts that they would like to see justJohn Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502130567145433773noreply@blogger.com0