A by-election was held in the Bitterne Park Ward after the resignation of a fifth Liberal Democrat Councillor. The seat had been held by a Liberal Democrat and - until a few years ago - had returned three Liberal democrat Councillors. Clifford Coombes was elected with 984 votes pushing the Liberal democrat candidate into a humiliating third position.

Royston Smith commented "The Liberal Democrats have never made the transition from campaigning group to Council Administration, their candidate in this election was campaigning on issues that were in her party's gift to sort out. It all became very confusing for the electorate and the result, in my opinion, speaks volumes."

Click on the link below for the Daily Echo Story.  

http://archive.thisishampshire.net/2005/9/16/94211.html    

Cllr Royston Smith was at the launch of a Conservative drive to improve home safety in our area. "Anti social behaviour is spiralling out of control." Royston said.

Harefield Councillors are delivering a small window poster warning salesman and uninvited visitors that ID will be required and to inform them that the householder would prefer not to buy at the door.

Royston said, "The poster is one small way in which we can help ourselves to stay safe in our own homes"

Royston Smith recently successfully lobbied the City's Planning Panel over an inappropriate development at Moorlands Farmhouse. 

The planning application - on a site that currently has 2 semi-detached houses  - was for 12 X 2 bedroom flats. Residents were concerned about the lack of parking and the extra volume of vehicles on the already congested roads in and around the proposed development. 

Royston Smith helped residents put their case to planners. On Sunday (27th November 2005) 35 people - including many children - assembled at the site for a photograph for the Daily Echo.

Royston said " Residents accept that in-fill developments are necessary but what they don't accept is safety and security being compromised by over-development and government legislation leaving local authority planning panels powerless to refuse many planning applications.

"I want to see local planners given the powers to decide what is and what is not acceptable in their own locality."