Bishopstoke Ward candidates video hustings

[7s] Who are you and why are standing?

[10s] Hello, I'm Graham Smith, a local resident, former serviceman and successful businessman with years of community service under my belt.

[18s] I am standing because I care passionately about Bishopstoke and Fairoak.

[22s] It's where my wife is from, where our children grew up and where family still reside.

[28s] I want to focus on practical issues, fix our roads, local services, increase jobs and make sure things are fair and work properly for everybody.

[37s] I don't want housing and public services not focused on where somebody is from, but a system that's fair, sustainable and actually delivers for the people

[47s] who live here.

[48s] Oh, and the best public service is not just for here and now, But for our future generations.

[55s] Hi, I'm Louise Anne Parker-Jones.

[57s] Bishop's Oak and Fair Oak have always been home.

[59s] Your frustrations are my frustations.

[62s] I believe in representing people, not a party.

[64s] If re-elected, i'll keep protecting our local environment, opposing unsustainable development, ensuring services meet your needs and holding our councils

[73s] to account.

[74s] i'm here to listen and to help.

[83s] Hi, I'm Sarah Duggan and I am standing as a Conservative candidate for Bishopstoke.

[88s] I care deeply about our local community and want to make sure Bishop Stoke has the strong voice it deserves.I live in BishopStoke and very close to Stokes

[96s] Park woods and walk around there every day and it reminds me how important it is to protect all of our green spaces and the character of the parish.

[105s] Professionally,I am a psychologist and have worked in social work, mental health and now HR and people development.

[111s] And so my background has been built around listening to people, solving problems and helping communities thrive.

[117s] I'm standing because I believe we need councillors who will listen, focus on local priorities and work hard for residents.

[125s] That means working with Eastleigh Borough Council and holding them to account when needed and making sure our area gets fair investment and better infrastructure.

[134s] Where in the borough should new homes go?

[136s] Name one place and one We need to regenerate tired industrial land before expanding into our countryside, using our brownfield sites such as Chickenall

[148s] Lane's former depots and warehousing plots.

[152s] I would refuse any area that's going to encroach on our greenbelt or add to the chaos of our local road system or put increased pressure on local schools

[160s] and services, such our our doctors and dentists.

[163s] Our infrastructure needs to match our housing demand and development.

[168s] For development to benefit both the existing and new community, it must be sustainable.

[174s] Good transport solutions such as a modern road network, connectivity to the M27, a railway station, infrastructure to support modern living such schools,

[186s] dentists, doctors, employment opportunities and a town centre, all accessible within 15 minutes walking.

[195s] Conversely, areas where roads are already over capacity, areas which would incur significant infrastructure cost due to lack of services and areas,

[205s] which will negatively impact on ancient woodland and the world-renowned River Itchen would not be good.

[212s] Under this model, Hedge End could be considered sustainable, whereas Bishop's Oak and Fair Oak would NOT.

[220s] We do need new homes, especially affordable homes for local people and families, but development must happen in the right place and with the correct infrastructure.

[230s] I would prioritise brownfield land first, previously developed sites, as they should come before losing more countryside.

[238s] Where larger development is needed, it should be in areas with stronger transport links.

[243s] These areas are better placed for roads, jobs and local services and preventing further destruction of our semi rural areas such as Bishopstoke.

[253s] I would oppose further development around Bishop Stoke, Horton Heath and nearby communities.

[258s] Roads are already extremely congested and services are under a lot of pressure.

[264s] Residents should not keep paying for the price of poor planning.

[267s] Growth must be balanced, sensible and supported from the start.

[271s] Would you increase council tax, cut it, or keep it the same?

[275s] And what would that mean for residents?

[279s] I certainly wouldn't be looking to increase our council taxes.

[282s] It's way too high as it is.

[284s] I'll be look into best practices, get better value whilst increasing our service delivery through efficiency and competitive tendering.

[292s] Council tax is very emotive as is based upon property value and it's often called regressive.

[298s] However, local services need to be paid for.

[302s] If council tax stands still or is reduced, then services will be cut.

[307s] Finding efficiencies in generating income has proved useful.

[312s] However, after almost 16 years of austerity, there is no give in the system.

[318s] I personally believe this is a matter central government now needs to address based upon the ability to pay through income tax.

[327s] As we pay a significant amount of money to furnish half a billion pounds worth of debt, I would only support increasing council tax if the outcome was

[336s] to improve services for our community.

[341s] My priority would be to keep council tax rises as low as possible while protecting the services residents rely on.

[349s] Families are already under increasing pressure, so every pound must be spent wisely.

[355s] That means focusing on clean streets, road repairs, parks and communities, and support for vulnerable residents and young people.

[364s] If rises are ever needed, they must modest, transparent and clearly justified.

[370s] One last call.

[371s] Anything you'd like to say?

[372s] Now what I'm hearing on the doorstep is loud and clear.

[377s] People are fed up.

[378s] They want an active local councillor who's going to actually listen and deliver for a change.

[384s] Local democracy works best when residents choose the person they trust to stand up for the area, not just a party label.

[392s] If you want strong local representation, vote for it directly with me, Graham Richard Smith, on the 7th May.

[399s] And let's build a community we can be proud of.

[402s] Finally, I'd like to say, please do go and vote.

[405s] It is so important to ensure we have a strong voice on the delivery of local services and I hope you put your trust in me to represent you in the future.

[414s] But whatever the outcome of May elections, it's been a privilege and an honour to have represented Bishop Stoke and Fair Oak.

[423s] This election is about giving Bishop Stoke a strong local voice and protecting the community that we are proud to call home.

[430s] I'm standing because I care deeply about our parish and our village identity and what makes Bishopstoke special.

[437s] Our green spaces, our community spirit, local character and quality of life.

[442s] BishopStoke should be protected.

[444s] represented and that means standing up for residents and making sure your voice is heard, ensuring our area is never overlooked for services,

[452s] infrastructure, supporting young people, vulnerable individuals and all residents.

[459s] I want to protect our parks, our woodlands, open spaces and our neighbourhood character, whilst pushing for investment, road improvements and infrastructure.

[468s] If elected, I will be visible, approachable and hardworking, listening every day to residents and working for you.