Politics

Few would contest wisdom of PM’s policy

Means and ends are the meat and drink of politics. Few would contest the wisdom of our new Prime Minister’s key policy objective to grow our economy and reverse years of low productivity. One of the key means of doing this is to incentivise people into work and encourage those in part-time work to increase their hours. Employment has always been the best route out of poverty and it is great to hear the Truss government giving fresh emphasis and recognition to this truism. There is a welcome public consensus about the objective of economic growth but there is disagreement about the best means to bring it about. My take is that politicians must work with the grain of human nature and recognise that people will work harder if their extra effort is properly rewarded. That is why I favour lower taxes so that people can retain more of their income to spend on their own priorities. Similarly, we should be ensuring that those who receive in-work benefits are not penalised by working longer hours. We should also be encouraging people to become entrepreneurs by making selfemployment, once again, an attractive alternative. As one of the few Conservative MPs who voted and spoke against the increases in National Insurance when first announced by Rishi Sunak, it was a pleasure to see almost unanimous support in Parliament for the legislation reversing that policy. This change is one of the means by which the economy can grow and is a victory over the anti-growth coalition and Treasury orthodoxy which has dominated our economic thinking for too long. The next stage in this process should be to ensure that those in employment do not find percentage rises in their wages and salaries being exceeded by increases in benefits. No one is immune from the cost of living crisis with businesses and households having to respond to the challenges posed thereby. The same principles apply to our local councils. It was, therefore, disappointing to read a statement by the Leader of Dorset Council, Cllr Spencer Flower, contesting the opinion of the Local Government Minister, Paul Scully, that there is still ‘fat to be trimmed from councils’. While our Council has performed well compared with many, by reducing management costs by £10million and having a programme of £30million in efficiency savings over a four-year period, it cannot be correct that there are no more reductions in expenditure which can be made to help insulate local residents from ever higher rates of council tax. I, therefore, invite readers to contact me with their own ideas as to where savings and efficiencies in Dorset can be achieved. Please write to chopec@parliament.uk.

Christchurch & East Dorset CHRIS CHOPE MP

Beware the inaction of county councillors

Although it is tempting to crow about national politics right now, I want to use this column to focus on an issue literally close to my heart. That’s the state of Shaftesbury’s high street. Before all non-Shastonians turn the page, stick with me please. What the town is going through and the lack of action on the issue from Dorset councillors should strike a note of concern all through the vale. As you may be aware, the Shaftesbury high street is really struggling. There have been nearly a dozen shop closures this year. Whilst the town thrived during the Covid-enforced pedestrianisation, trade has collapsed since this ended last summer. The town council voted in favour of permanent pedestrianisation in June 2021. Like many residents, I wanted to know why nothing has happened on the matter since. So, I sent a Freedom of Information request (an FOI) to Dorset council to ask them what meetings the person responsible for Highways, Travel and Environment, Councillor Ray Bryan, had on the matter since June 2021. The answer? No meetings on pedestrianisation. And therefore – unsurprisingly - no action. What is interesting, though, is that Councillor Bryan did have three meetings on the town’s Thursday market between August and November 2021. Yet he didn’t invite either the Shaftesbury Mayor, Councillor Brown, or the town’s two Dorset Councillors Cook and Beer. Curiously, the meetings were attended by councillors from Blandford and Purbeck. He even held one of the meetings in Shaftesbury and didn’t invite anyone from the town. What we are seeing here is local democracy failing. It’s often been suspected that the unitary administration out of Dorchester has little time for what town and parish councils have to say. We have proof of that now. Not just in the FOI response, but in the inaction concerning the number of shops closing on the high street, and the deferral of any further consultation until the summer of next year. Other towns and parishes should take note. Don’t expect Dorset Council to act on anything you vote for. Criticism is not just reserved for the Tory administration in Dorchester though. What have the Lib Dem county councillors achieved on the issue, on behalf of the town they represent? By the looks of it, they’ve not even secured a meeting with Councillor Bryan. Labour is committed to handing real and lasting economic and political devolution across our towns, communities and to people across the country. And we would at least be banging the door down in Dorchester to make sure we got a meeting.

Dorset Labour GREG WILLIAMS

Feel like getting out and about and enjoying the autumn air? There’s still a feast of walks to enjoy in the New Forest as part of the area’s popular Walking and Cycling Festival. Some of these events are free but most carry a charge. More details from newforestnpa.gov. uk/ which also lists many other events taking place as part of this festival. Always check details on the site before booking.

Fun day at the town’s green fest

The Mayor of Wimborne Minster, Carol Butter, with town crier Chris Brown and world-record swimmer Oly Rush opened a great first day at Planet Wimborne Green Festival week. Wimborne Community Theatre were on the Minster Green along with the children’s display inside the Minster last weekend. It was a great fun day event, with much to see and get involved in. Words and pics: TOM SCRASE

We Will Remember Them.

As the country builds up to November 11 – Armistice Day – all our thoughts turn to the sacrifices of those who have fought for our country. From the First World War to the Falklands, the Battle of Britain to Baghdad and beyond, our Armed Forces are the best of us all. Remembrance activities in the UK – and here in the South West – are led by the Royal British Legion. The RBL supports the Armed Forces community in a myriad of ways, with hundreds of thousands of volunteers doing what they can to honour not only the fallen, but those still serving – and their families. We want to show our respect, and give something back. Your New Stour & Avon magazine is publishing your messages to our Armed Forces. For a donation of £10 or more – all of which will go to the RBL – we will publish your message of up to 25 words. It can be dedicated to one of The Fallen, a veteran, serving personnel or our brave forces in general. “We are passionate about supporting our Armed Forces, as we know the people of Dorset are too,” said publisher David Armishaw. “This is one way we can show our appreciation of those who take care of us each and every day – and we are proud to do so.” Simply follow the instructions below to place your message, and we will remember them.

Those faraway giants

Starwatch night sky events with Bob Mizon MBE of the Wessex Astronomical Society

The giant planets Jupiter and Saturn have now moved back into the evening sky, as the Earth pursues its ceaseless dance with the rest of the Solar System. Look mid-evening for these two yellowish objects in the south-east and south respectively. Planets are normally brighter than the stars in front of which they move, but planets don’t actually shine: what we see is reflected sunlight bounced back towards us from great distances across the solar system. Currently, Jupiter, in the constellation of Pisces, is about 600 million kilometres away from us, and Saturn, in Capricornus, about 1400 million (1.4 billion). Light from Jupiter has been travelling towards us for about 45 minutes, and Saturn’s yellowish hue represents light that bounced off it about one and a quarter hours ago. So everything we see in the night sky is in the past – even the Moon, just over a lightsecond away. The most remote galaxies’ light began its journey long before the Earth ever existed.

Remember them, and support the Royal British Legion

On November 4 the New Stour & Avon magazine will publish your messages of remembrance and dedications. For a donation of £10 or more, your message will be published in our remembrance feature, in print and online, with all donations given in full to the Royal British Legion. To place your message, up to a maximum of 25 words, please call 01963 400186 and place your message with Lizzie, or place it online at

www.stouravonmagazine.co.uk/remembrance

Core values of love, hope and truth

St James’ is a small village school, set in beautiful rural surroundings, just outside Wimborne. We provide a safe and nurturing environment in which all children can flourish. We pride ourselves on building excellent relationships with both our children and parents, ensuring that there is a strong foundation for all children to believe in themselves and achieve their best. As a church school, welcoming children from all backgrounds, we value our Christian distinctiveness and, through our core values of love, hope and truth, have developed a curriculum that not only strives for academic success but values the development of each individual child as a valued member of ours and the wider community. As a member of the Diocese of Salisbury Academy Trust, we receive regular support and guidance to build upon our established success. If you would like more information about our school, please contact the school office.

Daniel Lawford Headteacher St James’ First School

St James’ First School Open Events

Book a School Tour

There is no substitute for seeing the school in action and we would be delighted to show you around during the school day. Please telephone the school office to arrange a tour with the Headteacher.

Attend our Open Evening (Wednesday 2nd November | 5.30pm – 6.30pm) You are warmly invited to attend our open evening for prospective reception parents. A relaxed opportunity for you, and your child, to explore the school and engage in our interactive activities.

For more information, please visit our admissions page.