DISTRICT COUNCILLOR FOR BECTON WARD
My name is Paul Woods. I am one of your two District councillors for Becton ward in New Milton.
I have served you now for 13 years on both the Town & District Councils. During that time I have served in a variety of positions on both councils. I was Chairman (2001/02) & Mayor (2006/07) of New Milton Town Council and Chairman of the New Forest District Council 2008/09.
At present I am serving on the following panels and committees of the NFDC: Environment Review Panel, Planning Development Control Committee, Licensing and General Purposes Committee and Appeals Committee. I am also the representative on the New Forest Environmental Protection Committee and the New Forest Road Safety Panel. From this you can see that I bring a wealth of experience to the job of Councillor.
During my 17 years of living in the area with my wife Olwen, I have seen the Town grow in prosperity. I ask the question how many towns of this size can provide separate grounds for cricket, rugby and football.
A new public toilet has been provided at the bottom of Fishermans Walk, the toilet on Marine Drive has been refurbished and looking to the future we have been promised further refurbishment for our Town Centre toilets.
£300,000 has been allocated by central government to investigate the problems we have of erosion to Barton cliff tops.
The Town Centre has been given a new modern look with the new pavements and additional trees and seats.
I am sure that you will all agree that our rubbish and recycling collections are working well with the use of plastic sacks, contrary to that of many other councils.
I will continue to monitor the question of the use of Ashley Manor Farm for gravel extraction. Twice I have represented this Town at two Inspectors enquiries with successful outcomes on both, and now with the latest report, I am glad to report that Ashley Manor Farm has been removed from the list of preferred sites.
The adoption by the NFDC into the local plan of New Milton Distinctiveness Supplementary Planning Document and the new Government regulations now in force regarding “Garden Grabbing” means that it is far easier to resist/refuse/prevent overdevelopment of sites in the town by greedy property developers which has been changing the face of New Milton over these last few years.
FINALLY, MY MOTTO: I will remember that it is my job to serve all members of the public to the very best of my ability and to ensure that their views are always represented in a fair and honest manner.
