YOUR COUNCIL
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Welcome to our new Councillors
Following Borough Council elections on 2 May, the makeup of the Council is now: Liberal Democrat (LD) – 34 seats; Independent – 3 seats; Conservatives – 2 seats.
Darshan is the new Mayor of Eastleigh
We’re pleased to welcome three new Councillors:
Michelle Marsh (LD) (left) for Fair Oak & Horton Heath; James Duguid (LD) (centre) for Hiltingbury and Timothy Bearder (LD) (right) for West End South. Find out who your local Councillor is eastleigh.gov.uk/ yourcouncillor
Plus new Citizens of Honour awarded Councillor Darshan Mann is the new Mayor of Eastleigh, following the annual Mayor Making ceremony. Darshan, who represents Eastleigh South ward, has been a Borough Councillor for seven years. Darshan has always been involved with the local community and is a trustee of the Asian Welfare & Cultural Association, organisers of the popular Eastleigh Mela. Darshan said: “I’m really excited about my mayoral year and, in particular, I’m looking forward to representing the Borough of Eastleigh and promoting the many good things it has to offer. In particular I’m keen to meet lots of local residents, organisations and businesses - and to promote and support my nominated charities.” This year’s Mayor’s Appeal will be in aid of One Community’s Visiting Scheme, the Eastleigh Lions Minibus Appeal and Eastleigh Borough & Romsey Mencap. Councillor Cynthia Garton, who represents Hedge End South, was invested as Deputy Mayor for the year. The Council also recognised the immense contributions of two local residents by making them Citizens of Honour. The awards are given every two years in recognition of long and exceptional service to the community.
Audrey Steele Audrey, who is now 90, has been volunteering for many years. She made scarves and mittens for the North Sea convoys during the Second World War and knitted clothes for the Southampton General Hospital neo-natal unit. She has raised thousands of pounds for the Scouts and has worked in the kitchen for the Eastleigh Baptist Church luncheon club since it opened. Audrey has also helped to build a playground and buy a minivan for a Brazilian orphanage.
Prosecutions protect taxi users
Sri Kandiah Sri has been active in the local community since moving to Eastleigh nearly 50 years ago. He was a trustee of One Community, the independent charity, supporting the voluntary and community sector in Eastleigh for nearly 30 years, and was its chair for the past 14 years.
It is illegal for a private hire vehicle (often referred to as a ‘minicab’) to ply for trade on the street in the same way as a licensed hackney carriage (or taxi) and - in a rare case that raises serious public safety issues - unlicensed driver Dennis Hewlett of Southampton picked up two undercover enforcement officers outside a club in Hamble in a car decorated to resemble a legitimate, licensed minicab.
The Mayor, Cllr Darshan Mann, said: “I’m delighted that one of my first duties as Mayor was to bestow Citizen of Honour awards to two such deserving recipients as Audrey and Sri.” Last year’s Mayor, Cllr Bruce Tennent raised over £12,000 shared between four local charities; The Alzheimer’s Society, National autistic Society South Hants Branch and Wildern Opportunity Group & Hedge End, West End & Botley Scout Groups.
Picture above: The Mayor with Sri Kandiah and Audrey Steele
A bogus taxi driver and a licensed private hire driver, who were both caught illegally plying for trade as hackney carriages (taxis), have been successfully prosecuted by the Council in an ongoing campaign to protect the travelling public.
Meanwhile Shaun Scott was hit with fines and costs in excess of £2,000 with eight penalty points for agreeing to drive two undercover licensing officers from near the taxi rank
at Eastleigh rail station to Botley. Cabinet Lead for Transport, Cllr David Airey, said: “Unlicensed drivers are not DBS (formerly CRB) checked and have not passed the Fit and Proper Person Test that indicates their suitability for the role. Getting a lift in an unlicensed vehicle or a private hire vehicle that has been plying for trade, means that passengers are not insured in the event of an accident.” *The work of Eastleigh’s Licensing Enforcement Team will feature in the BBC’s Defenders UK documentary series in the autumn.
