Ward data, England and Wales: Census 2021

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has today (30 January 2023) added Ward-Level Data to Census 2021 topic summaries. 

Ward-level data are data provided at geographies as low as electoral ward boundaries. You can find out more about ward geographies on the ONS Website.

You can access the topic summaries via the links below. Ward-level data is available as its own dataset within the topic summary release. Please note that ward data is not available for the sexual orientation and gender identity topic summary. 

• Demography and Migration
• UK Armed Forces Veterans
• Ethnic Group, National Identity, Language and Religion
• Welsh Language
• Labour Market and Travel to Work
• Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (does NOT include ward data)
• Education
• Health, Disability and Unpaid Care

Voter ID set to come in later this year as residents are urged to make sure they are prepared

Test Valley Borough Council is urging residents to make sure they are prepared for the introduction of voter ID later this year, as the Government rolls out the major change to elections across the country.

By law, from 4 May 2023, all residents will need to show photographic ID when they go to a polling station before they receive their ballot paper. The Government is introducing the changes to reduce and prevent voter fraud.

People can use various forms of ID, including a driving licence, passport, Older Person’s Bus Pass, a blue badge or Disabled Person’s Bus Pass. The full list of accepted ID can be found at https://www.testvalley.gov.uk/aboutyourcouncil/localdemocracy/elections/voter-id-faqs

Residents can also use expired ID as long as the photograph is still a good likeness.

Anyone who doesn’t have an accepted form of identification can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) at https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

Those unable to apply online can contact Test Valley Borough Council’s electoral services team to request a paper form on 01264 368000 or 01794 527700, or by emailing elecreg@testvalley.gov.uk

Anyone who needs help completing the VAC form in person can also visit the council offices at Beech Hurst in Andover or the Former Magistrates’ Court in Romsey.

The deadline to apply for a VAC for the Test Valley borough elections set to be held on 4 May 2023 is Tuesday 25 April, but residents are being encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

There will be no need for people to provide photographic ID if they vote by post.

If anyone is registered for a proxy vote, which is where someone else votes on their behalf, then their proxy will need to provide their own ID, not the elector’s.

More information about the changes can be found at http://www.testvalley.gov.uk/voterID

Becoming a Councillor

Becoming a Councillor

This article is a chance for you to learn more about what a councillor is, what a councillor does and how to become a candidate. 

It explores some of the initial questions you might have when considering becoming a councillor. From wondering what political party you may wish to represent to just wanting to know if you’re eligible, we hope it will provide what you need to know on the next step of your journey.

How do I begin?

The next local government elections are on 4 May 2023 and you will be part of Test Valley. The website address is testvalley.gov.uk Make sure you are registered on the electoral roll by contacting the Electoral Services team at your council.

Political party or independent candidate

To stand for a political party, you’ll need to be a member of the party, get involved locally and go through their selection process to be put forward as their candidate for election. Depending on which party you are interested in, this can take up to about a year, so please visit https://www.local.gov.uk/be-councillor/contact-us as soon as you can to start getting involved.

If you are interested in becoming an independent candidate (not in a political party), you can get resources and advice from the Local Government Association’s Independent Office.

Nomination

To become nominated as a candidate you usually need to submit a completed set of nomination papers to your council by 4pm on the 19th working day before the election. However, please contact the Democratic Services team at your council to get the necessary paperwork, confirm the deadlines and find out what help they can give you to submit your papers correctly. 

Who can be a councillor?

You don’t need any specific qualifications or experience to become a councillor. We need people from all backgrounds and communities to put themselves forward for election. However to be a councillor, you do need to be:

• A British citizen, or an eligible Commonwealth citizen. You may also be eligible as a citizen of the European Union, however the criteria has now changed. You can find advice on this here.
• At least 18 years old.
• Registered to vote in the area, or you have lived, worked or owned property there for at least 12 months before an election.

You can’t be a councillor if you:

• Work in the council you want to be a councillor for – you can work for another local authority as long as you are not in a politically restricted post.
• Are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order.
• Have been sentenced to prison for three months or more (including suspended sentences) during the five years before election day.
• Have been convicted of any corrupt or illegal practice by an election court.
• Are subject to any relevant notification requirements, or a relevant order, in respect of a sexual offence. 

If you are in any doubt over your eligibility as a councillor, you can contact the Electoral Commission for advice.

Where can I find further help?

There are a number of organisations that can be of help to you when considering becoming a councillor.

Electoral Commission – The Electoral Commission is the independent body which oversees elections and regulates political finance in the UK. You can find out what elections are happening in your area, guidance on becoming a candidate, and more. 

Elect Her – Elect Her is an organisation looking to motivate, support and equip women in all their diversity to stand for political office. They provide free workshops and training programmes, online resources and community spaces for women to learn and connect in their political ambitions.

My Life My Say – My Life My Say is a youth-led, non-partisan movement on a mission to change the culture of democracy and get every single young person voting.

Shout Out UK (SOUK) – SOUK is a multi-award winning creative social enterprise aiming to defend and amplify democracy by ensuring all citizens understand how their government functions. They run some of the largest city-wide voter registration and voter awareness campaigns in the democratic world. 

Operation Black Vote – Operation Black Vote exists to ensure we have greater racial justice and equality throughout the UK. Their work spans a number of areas including voter registration, lobbying politicians, mentoring schemes and political leadership programmes.

What comes next?

We hope we’ve helped clear up some questions you might have as you progress along the road to becoming a councillor.

January 2023 Minutes – Smannell Parish Council

The Minutes of the Smannell Parish Council meeting held on 9 January 2023 are now available and can be viewed here.

Please be aware that the Minutes are not formally agreed and resolved by members until the March 2023 meeting of the Parish Council.

Smannell Parish Council – 6 March 2023 Meeting

The next meeting of the Smannell Parish Council will be held on 6 March 2023 commencing at 19.00 hours at April’s Farm, Green Lane Farm, Upper Enham, Smannell. The meeting is open to all members of the public and they are warmly welcome to attend. The agenda for that meeting will be available nearer to that date.

The next meeting of the Smannell Parish Council will be held on 9 January 2023 commencing at 19.00 hours at April’s Farm, Green Lane Farm, Upper Enham, Smannell. The meeting is open to all members of the public and they are warmly welcome to attend. The agenda is now available and can be found under Documents and then Meeting Agendas or here

Test Valley Borough Council – Christmas News and Updates

When should you put your bins out over Christmas?

As always, bin collection days will be changing temporarily over Christmas and New Year. See the image below to find out when to put your bins out over the festive period. Garden waste collections will not be taking place between Monday 19 December and Monday 2 January. You can find out more information by visiting www.testvalley.gov.uk/bins. 

Excess waste? Pop a bin bag beside your black bin and the Test Valley Borough Council teams will collect it. Collection teams will only empty one black bin per property unless extra bin capacity has been authorised.

Extra recycling? Pop your recyclable materials in a cardboard box beside the brown bin for collection.Please leave your bin at the edge of your property by 7am on collection day.

Where to find to a warm space in Test Valley.

A network of community organisations, churches, libraries, businesses and more across Test Valley have opened their doors to provide a warm space for those who may be unable to switch on the heating. You can find warm, welcoming spaces in the local community by visiting the Test Valley Borough Council Website. Find your nearest warm space.

Food bank support If you can’t afford the food you need, help is available, but you’ll usually need a referral to a food bank before using it. A good place to ask for a referral is your nearest Citizens Advice. You can ask for a referral from an organisation already supporting you – for example, a charity, school or children’s centre. There are also several community pantries operating in Test Valley. Find out more information here: Food banks and community pantries in Test Valley If you are able to give help, then there are a few ways you can do so: Visit Andover Foodbank or Romsey Foodbank online for shopping lists of urgently needed items. Alternatively, you can donate money via their websites.

Where can you recycle your Christmas tree?
The big day hasn’t arrived yet, but some of you will be thinking about what to do with your Christmas tree when it comes to bringing down the decorations. There are multiple, temporary sites around Test Valley that will be in operation from Wednesday 28 December to Monday 9 January, including Dobbies Garden Centre in Andover and Knightwood Leisure Centre in Valley Park.  If you subscribe to the Garden Waste Collection Service, Test Valley Borough Council can collect you trees, but if it is over 6ft please only cut it in half.

Andover Public Realm Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) 2022

Test Valley Borough Council has published for public participation its draft Andover Public Realm Design Guide Planning Document (SPD) 2022 and is inviting representations between Friday 16th December 2022 and Friday 3rd February 2023. 

The Andover Town Centre Public Realm Design Guide is aimed at those who either develop, improve, or alter the public streets and spaces in Andover Town Centre. The Design Guide builds on national guidance and best practice and is concerned with issues such as movement, pedestrian and cycle infrastructure, traffic calming measures, use of space for events, the introduction of green and blue spaces, street furniture, materials etc. It is designed to provide a coordinated structure for the many different bodies who have a degree of control over the public realm.

The Design Guide will encourage the best in design and development quality, including examples of best practice and how they can be applied in the context of Andover Town Centre.

As the Design Guide makes reference to areas of Andover Town Centre that are adopted highway, it makes reference to Hampshire County Council’s technical advice and signposts the appropriate processes.

A copy of the draft SPD document, is available on the Council’s website Draft: Public Realm Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document | Test Valley Borough Council and is available for public inspection at the following Council offices between the hours of 08.30 and 17.00 Monday to Thursday and 16.30 on Friday:

•           Beech Hurst, Weyhill Road, ANDOVER, Hampshire, SP10 3AJ, and

•           Former Magistrates Court, Church Street, ROMSEY, Hampshire, SO51 8AQ

It is also available during library opening times at local libraries at Andover, Romsey, North Baddesley, Chandler’s Ford and Lordshill.

Representations can be made by either:

•           Sent in writing to Planning Policy and Economic Development Service, Test Valley Borough Council, Beech Hurst, Weyhill Road, ANDOVER, Hampshire, SP10 3AJ; or

•           Emailed to planningpolicy@testvalley.gov.uk

Only those representations that are made in writing to arrive at the address specified above (either hard copy or electronically) within the 7 week period from Friday 16th December 2022 and ending 12 noon on Friday 3rd February 2023 will have the right to have their representations considered.  Any representations should specify the matters to which they relate and the grounds on which they are made.  Representations will be available for public inspection with personal information redacted. 

Further information can be obtained from the Planning Policy and Economic Development Service on 01264 368000 or email planningpolicy@testvalley.gov.uk  

Southern Water Freeze/Thaw Advice

Following the latest cold spell and with temperatures set to rise rapidly this weekend, Southern Water has reviewed its approach to supporting their customers in the event of a ‘freeze/thaw’ style event.

Southern Water will be reminding domestic and business customers to be on alert for bursts and leaks over the coming days, offering advice about how to prepare their properties and how to reach Southern Water in an emergency.

With a thaw predicted to in the next few days, the most important thing is to ensure people know where their stop cock is located, should they need to turn the water off in the event of a burst. Where is my stop tap? (southernwater.co.uk)

With businesses closing for the Christmas holidays, Southern Water is also urging business owners to turn off the water if their premises will be unoccupied over the holidays. For more tips on how to prepare for cold weather, visit: Retailer useful information (southernwater.co.uk)

There’s supporting information available at: Prepare your home for winter (southernwater.co.uk) and How to stop your pipes freezing and bursting in cold winter weather (southernwater.co.uk). Southern Water also posts regular updates on its social channels – Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

In an emergency, customers can call Southern Water 24/7 on 0330 303 0368. Calls are charged at a local rate.

Southern Water has put in place a number changes across the business aimed at mitigating risk and improving its response to any incidents:

• Early and frequent communications to customers
• New measures to assess when severe weather is likely to have significant impact on water networks
• A complete overhaul of its incident management system, from identifying the potential for an incident, through preparation stages and actual incident handling to post-event management.
• Major investment to improve the resilience of our networks. In particular, Southern Water has added many more remote sensing devices to the water network to better monitor flows and deliver updates in real-time.
• Southern Water is also working more closely with Local Resilience Forums.

Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks Priority Services

Helping you when you need SSEN (Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks) most

We all rely on electricity day to day for various things, but for some, a power cut can be worrying or difficult. That’s why SSEN offer extra help and support during a power cut. Registering for the SSEN Priority Services helps them to help you when you need it most. All SSEN priority services are free.

Should anyone in the Parish have any power outages, you are encouraged to call the SSEN emergency contact number of 105. It doesn’t matter who you pay your bill to, SSEN will look after the network and are responsible for getting power to your house and restoring any outages. You can also download the SSEN Power Track App if you have and are able to use a smart phone.  It will give you details of any power outages in your area and will also give you details of when an engineer is on site and when it is likely to be restored.

Should you struggle to reach SSEN by phone to report an outage it can be done on there too with just the press of a button.

In addition – if you are not signed up to the SSEN Priority Service Register – you are urged to call SSEN on 0800 294 3259 (text phone 0800 316 5457) to sign up so that SSEN can attend to you first in an outage.

All the details are available on the SSEN Website here