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Ian McLennan |
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Newly Elected Wiltshire Councillor Laverstock, Ford & Old Sarum Ward |
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Wiltshire Council Election Thursday 4 June |
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Yes this is me pictured wearing my ‘Chairman of Salisbury District Council’ Chain, before the December Council meeting in City Hall. I was very proud to represent Laverstock Ward (inc Ford & Old Sarum) as your District Councillor from 1995 to 2009 and become Chairman. |
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Laverstock Ford Old Sarum Hampton Park |
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Keep the faith vote: Ian McLennan |
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Ian’s Campaign – Keep the Faith Most of you know me and I usually just let you all have my latest newsletter (Viewpoint) as my election leaflet. However, instead of the usual two District and one County Councillor, there is only ONE SEAT available. I normally walk the ward and knock every door. This takes me most of the period up to the election. However, by then, all those with a postal vote have long since voted. This time, there is only one seat and probably lots of new residents in the last two years (since the last District election). This leaflet lets you know I am standing and seeking your vote. It also tells all the new folk a little about me. This ‘early bird’ has been delivered by me and some volunteers – local residents from all parts of the Ward - for which I am extremely grateful. The next leaflet will be delivered by me, by hand, with a knock on your door – so you can look into the whites of my eyes and decide for yourself!
Who is Ian McLennan? I am 55 (almost 56 owing to the June election!) and have lived in Church Road, Laverstock for over 28 years. Family I am married to Virginia and we have one daughter, Olivia, who attended St Andrew’s before going on to South Wilts. She is 28, married and currently, lives in Bexley. Virginia worked as the Senior Midday Supervisor at St Andrew’s for 19 years, before retiring at 50. Work 1969 -1999 Post office Telephones/BT in Sales, Marketing and as a Senior Customer Service Manager. In 1999 I became a full time Entertainment Promoter. I created ‘The Scottish Tattoo’ with my first show at The Royal Albert Hall. I write a new show each year and have toured the finest concert halls in England and Scotland. I still promote the show in City Hall and also Ferneham Hall in Fareham. Over the years, I have been asked to promote ‘The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra’ in the Royal Albert Hall, stage the first two years of the ‘Manchester Military Tattoo’ and most recently, stage the ‘We Will Remember Them’ concert and remembrance service in City Hall. I turned it into a ‘Remembrance show and service’ and I am pleased to say it got rave reviews and they have asked me to do another year. (You must go! It’s poignant and entertaining and raises funds for the Poppy Appeal!) Council I was first asked to stand for Salisbury District Council in 1991, by the Salisbury Labour Group. They promised me I would not win, as they had only polled 50 votes previously. I stood on that basis and upped the vote to over 300 while the other candidates all lost votes. I stood again in 1995 and asked you to ‘Keep the Faith’. If the same progress could be made as in 1991, I would be elected. I knocked some doors and the response was positive. So I knocked lots of doors and you kindly elected me (just). I was re-elected in 1999 (again just) and in 2003 I topped the poll. In 2007, I topped the poll again with over 700 votes, more than 100 votes clear of 2nd place and with over half of those who voted, giving me one of your two votes. John King was also elected. He is not standing this time. Two years on, there is only one seat! Keep the faith
Most of you have happily voted for me and know that my position is always ‘Laverstock Ward first’. I have fought hard to represent us all, over the years, with your help and with a great deal of success. I have tried to involve you all by composing and delivering my Viewpoint Newsletter twice a year for the last 14 years, letting you know what’s going on and what I am doing. I have also carried out several community votes with a great response from you all. I used these votes in my argument and your wishes were met every time at Council! This democracy can be a powerful thing! Past successes using your issue votes: Saving the (Church owned) Football Green Space at The Laverstock Sports club, from being the next City Cemetery. Choosing residents preferred hours of work at Duck Lane development. Deciding Green Lane Ford – Old Sarum link would be Cycle/Pedestrian access only. Keeping Hampton Park as part of the Parish of Laverstock & Ford, when Bishopdown Cllrs, including Mary Douglas, were keen to steal it against the wishes of all communities of our Parish. (City rates = £80 Laverstock & Ford Parish = £10 at Band D) Current Issues Most recently, I have succeeded in getting agreement for the ‘acquisition’ of Cow Lane, for the Parish as Salisbury District Council disappeared. This is the enabler, for the proposed Community Farm, which will also permit us to wander and picnic – and help on the farm. I also instigated the concept of ‘Parish ownership’ of all the green space surrounding Hampton Park and Bishopdown, as part of the development gains for Hampton Park II. This is progressing well as a ‘Country Park’ project. I am on the way to eliminating school traffic from Laverstock. The cycle lanes (June 2009) being a major element and the council officers have been instructed to work on a ‘Green Travel Plan’ with the schools. This is part of our Parish Plan (which I enthused about to the Parish Council some years ago. Now it’s real, thanks to the community and the Steering Group. Strong Voice I believe I have been able, with the support of my group (the most experienced councillors on SDC) , to ensure Laverstock, Ford and Old Sarum (and Hampton Park and Clarendon Park in times now past) have benefitted. More detail in my next hand delivered Election Viewpoint. Please keep the faith and vote for me as your preferred Wiltshire Councillor. See you shortly. Ian |
