Bishopstoke & Fair Oak Ward candidates video hustings

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

[10s] Because local people deserve councillors who put residents first, protect our communities and focus on real issues, not party politics.

[19s] Residents are telling me that they never see any counsellors unless it's election time.

[24s] Many telling that I'm the only person that's bothered to engage on the doorstep.

[28s] I've reassured the great people of Bishopstoke and Fairoak that things are going to change with me.

[32s] I'm going be transparent and hold monthly surgeries, listening and fighting for real change, given important monthly updates as we near the new unitary

[42s] authority stage.

[43s] As an experienced businessman with a track record of community and public service, I am going bring these attributes with to fight for change using common sense.

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

[58s] Bishop's Oak and Fair Oak have always been home.

[60s] Your frustrations are my frustations.

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

[65s] If re-elected, i'll keep protecting our local environment, opposing unsustainable development, ensuring services meet your needs,

[72s] and holding our councils to account.

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

[77s] Hi I am Louise Ann Parker Jones, asking for your vote to keep putting our community first.

[83s] What's one transport change you would prioritise locally and where?

[88s] I would prioritize the Bishopstoke Road corridor between Fair Oaks, Bishop Stoke and Eastley Town Centre.

[95s] This is a key route for residents getting into Eastleigh.

[98s] for Southampton and beyond.

[99s] Hampshire County Council itself recognises a key transport link.

[104s] My priority would be practical, fix the road surface properly for a change, tackle pinch points and make junctions work better rather than spending years

[113s] on glossy strategies.

[114s] Residents want journeys that are safer, quicker and more reliable.

[118s] I'll be pushing for public local authority priority list so residents can see which roads are due for repair and when.

[126s] In Eastleigh, Fair Oak and Bishopstoke and throughout Hampshire in general, people pay enough council tax.

[132s] They should not be risking damage to their tyres, their suspension and wheels, just getting to work, running their business and taking their children to school.

[142s] The B3037 from Fair Oaks to Eastley was not built for modern traffic and it suffers from chronic congestion.

[150s] How can we reduce the amount of vehicles when widening it just isn't an option?

[156s] If we were to swiftly repair potholes along the bus and school routes, not just A and B roads, increase bus traffic light signal priority and design safe

[167s] pedestrian and cycle routes modal transport shift could occur, all of which would help to free up capacity for those that actually need to drive on our roads.

[177s] Where would you spend more and what would cut to pay for it?

[182s] I would spend more invisible frontline basics like potholes, resurfacing, drainage, safer junctions and keeping essential local bus links viable,

[191s] where residents generally rely on them.

[193s] I'd pay for that by cutting council waste, unnecessary consultations, over-complicated strategies, communication spin, vanity projects and non-essential bureaucracy.

[205s] Reforms approach is simple.

[207s] Taxpayers' money should go first to services people actually use, not to paperwork, ideology or management layers.

[215s] I feel we need to be more innovative across the whole of the public sector estate.

[220s] i'd like to see public service hubs established to include social and health worker teams, people to assist with council services via safety,

[229s] police queries, Centre which includes libraries, the arts, museum, registry services, a community pantry, essentially a one-stop shop.

[240s] This would enable significant property to be either sold or to reallocated.

[244s] The money saved from co-location I would use to improve services for our young people and to ensure that new parents receive the support they need so children

[254s] get the best start in life.

[256s] One last call, anything you'd like to say?

[260s] I believe in listening first, working collaboratively and delivering real results that benefit everybody.

[265s] I'm community focused and dedicated to putting residents before politics.

[271s] When elected, I'll work tirelessly, remain accessible and stand up for issues that matter most to local people.

[278s] Together, we can enhance what makes our community special while planning positively for the future.

[284s] together, We can bring reform.

[287s] Finally, i'd like to say, please do go and vote.

[290s] 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.

[299s] But whatever the outcome of May elections, it's been a privilege and an honour to have represented Bishop Stoke and Fair Oak.