Iris Andersen: Rising costs and empty buildings a problem

Andover has achieved a lot of different things in the town.

There are different businesses that are having smart new shopfronts from the support of the Andover Town Centre frontage grant.

These Town Centre Grants are funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Andover Framing, a business that has been part of Andover for decades, has received this grant for the frontage of its High Street premises.

We have also seen different businesses come into our High Street that are supporting Andover.

Yes, I am sad to say that we have lost some businesses too.

I am not happy with seeing Copper Beeches building still empty for four years, which is owned by Hampshire County Council.

This building could be used for so many things, I have asked questions before and I am asking for some answers again.

Another question I am asking is about our magistrates court that belongs to Test Valley Council and has been empty for many years.

It needs to be removed and something better put in its place.

I do have concerns about where the Government thinks these businesses in the hospitality trade are going to be making their money to survive like they are expecting them to do.

In April this year, the 40 per cent discount will end. This was given during Covid to support the hospitality sector, these are people and businesses we need to support as much as we can.

It is not just pubs, it's also restaurants, coffee shops, tea rooms and entertainment.

The other day I thought about something. The council tax stays the same for a whole year, but sadly other things don’t.

Electric, gas, phone and water seem to go up whenever they feel like it.

In the meantime, the Chancellor in the budget has put things up.

Councils work tirelessly to deliver on the ambitions of residents and are key to solving many of the challenges the Government is looking to address, but the council is facing huge costs in areas including adult social care, temporary accommodation, special educational needs, disabilities and home-to-school transport.

However, local government finances remain under severe pressure with councils facing huge costs.

However, some councils will clearly do better than others from these allocated plans.

By Iris Andersen