Local businessman and county councillor, Tony Hooke, has called for the resignation of the TVBC leader, Ian Carr.
Cllr Hooke cited a list of reasons including the 4.1% increase in the council tax which was just 0.1% short of the figure when a local referendum that would have been needed.
He said: “I am sorry to say that Cllr Carr has been in the post far too long, become complacent, and consequently the town desperately needs a change in leadership.”
Cllr Hooke also voiced concern over the time the Andover Summits are taking and the feeling that that the majority of the activity will come in the last quarter of 2014 and first quarter of 2015, in the run-up to the election for TVBC.
Letter From Cllr Hooke
Dear Councillor Carr,
I write to you today requesting your resignation forthwith from the position as Leader of TVBC.
The reasons are as follows:
- The Town Summit, which you instigated, is a total failure after 8 months. This was set up to rejuvenate the town. To date, , there are no improvements, and you have only today asked the public to comment on the ridiculous street furniture in the High Street
- Spending in the Borough is out of control. Nearly £12 million spent over the last year, much of it needlessly
- Almost £500,000 will be wasted on the Town Council over 4 years with few tangible outcomes
- The Finance Committee is being run by an ex-officer of the council who is sitting on a reserve of approximately £75 million, which could significantly benefit the rejuvenation of Andover
- The Scrutiny Committee is being run by a member of your own party, which is most unusual
- The rates were raised by 4.1%, and you had to personally intervene, to stop 8 members of your own party voting against it and made them abstain
- You are spending far too much time away from your post. You have just spent the best part of a month in your holiday home in Italy. You have also stated you will have an extended holiday in excess of a month later this year, as well as public and various other holidays. As this is paid leave, it is unfair on the public purse
Above all, the town and the industrial parks are rapidly deteriorating. No effort is being made to correct this situation.
Indeed it is the feeling of some that the majority of the activity will come in the last quarter of 2014 and first quarter of 2015, in the run-up to the election for TVBC.
The worst part of all this is that a number of your own councillors are whispering that you should go, but do not have the courage to state this publicly. They have asked me to do their dirty work for them.
The above, Councillor Carr, are strong indications that you have failed this town, and failed it miserably. I am sorry to say that you have been in the post far too long, become complacent, and consequently the town desperately needs a change in leadership.
I have no doubt that you will attempt to laugh this request off, and reassure your colleagues that all is well. Needless to say, I have pre-empted this move, and have pre planned a number of events which will lead to a significant loss of seats at the TVBC election in 2015.
Yours
Tony Hooke
Hampshire County Councillor
Cllr Carr’s reply can be seen here.
