Councillor Karl Rand - Sherborne St John and Rooksdown

20/10/2026

There is no place for extremism in our Council Chamber or in any aspect of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s responsibilities as a local authority. We must uphold the principles of democracy, mutual respect, tolerance and the rule of law, ensuring that our Council remains a place where differences are debated respectfully and every community is treated with dignity and fairness.

GREEN PARTY MOTION: QUESTIONS FOR BASINGSTOKE & DEANE’S COUNCIL LEADER

The Green Party has voted to adopt a motion declaring Zionism to be racism — a decision criticised by Jewish community organisations.

But this isn’t just a national political debate.

The motion also calls on Green elected representatives to pursue Palestine-related measures in their respective chambers.

Here in Basingstoke and Deane, two Green councillors serve in the ruling Independent Forum / Liberal Democrat coalition led by Cllr Paul Harvey.

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism identifies denying Jewish people their right to self-determination as a potential example of antisemitism.

That raises important questions about equality, inclusion and community cohesion.

Our Conservative councillor Jay Ganesh is asking the Council Leader:

❓ Has he discussed the motion with his two Green colleagues?

❓ Do they support its provisions, and do they intend to pursue them through our council?

❓ What assurances can he give Jewish residents that their beliefs and identities will be respected by every member of his administration?

Cllr Sean Dillow has highlighted the importance of community cohesion, while Conservative Group Leader Cllr Simon Minas-Bound has emphasised the accountability that comes with leading a coalition.

We are not assuming that our local Green councillors support the motion. We are asking for clarity.

Every resident deserves dignity, fairness and respect, whatever their religion or background.

10/10/2026

🏡🤝 THANK YOU FOR JOINING OUR LOCAL COUNCILLORS' WARD SURGERY! 💙

A big thank you to everyone who took the time to join us at today's Sherborne St John & Rooksdown Councillors' Ward Surgery.

💬 It was a pleasure to meet with residents, listen to your concerns, discuss local issues and share updates on the work we're doing across our communities.

🏗️ We also had some great conversations about the changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and further planning reforms taking effect on 31 October 2026. While the Government aims to speed up planning decisions and housing delivery, We remain concerned that the new rules could reduce the role of elected councillors in scrutinising planning applications and weaken local democratic oversight, particularly when developments have significant implications for our communities, infrastructure and local services.

🤝 Your feedback and involvement are invaluable in helping us understand local priorities, address concerns and continue working towards positive improvements across our ward.

📅 MISSED TODAY'S SURGERY?

Don't worry! We hold regular ward surgeries, providing residents with opportunities to meet their local Borough and County Councillors, raise concerns, ask questions and discuss matters affecting their neighbourhood.

📞 Please contact any of us for details of upcoming ward surgeries or to book an appointment.

🏛️ Your Borough Councillors
🔹 Cllr Jay Ganesh
📱 07723 381042
📧 [email protected]

🔹 Cllr Simon Minas-Bound
📱 07879 477696
📧 [email protected]

🔹 Councillor Karl Rand - Sherborne St John and Rooksdown
📱 07946 354656
📧 [email protected]

🏛️ Your Hampshire County Councillor
🔹 Councillor Rhydian Vaughan MBE
📱 07774 681516
📧 [email protected]

💙 We're here to listen, support and work together to make our communities even better places to live.

We look forward to seeing more residents at our future ward surgeries! 🏡🤝

26/08/2026

Hedge trimming rules in the UK are set to change on September 1, and it means you will be able to cut back overgrown bushes at the side of your property.

Hedge trimming rules in the UK are designed primarily to protect nesting wild birds and maintain agricultural land standards.

Every year, from March 1 to August 31, it is a criminal offence to intentionally or recklessly take, damage, or destroy an active wild bird nest while it is being built or in use, under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981.

For garden hedges, while it is not automatically illegal to cut during these months, if you trim a hedge and accidentally destroy or disturb an active nest, you commit an offence carrying an unlimited fine or up to 6 months in prison per instance.

Regulations prohibit cutting or trimming hedgerows on agricultural land during this entire period. On September 1, the main bird nesting season is officially declared over, and hedgerow management rules lift. For householders and landscapers, late August through September becomes the safest window for major cuts, heavy reshaping, and reducing the height of hedges.

During the restricted window, you may trim hedges if they overhang public footpaths or roads, block sightlines for motorists, or obstruct streetlights and traffic signs. Work can be carried out if a structure is dangerous, dying, or poses a hazard to property or livestock.

Farmers sowing early crops (like winter oilseed r**e or grass) can apply for written RPA (Rural Payments Agency) permission to trim in-field hedges starting August 1, provided active nests are checked and left untouched.

Other rules apply to trees, bushes and hedges in the UK. Under property law, you may trim branches extending over your property boundary, but only straight up to the exact property line. You cannot cross the boundary into a neighbour’s airspace without permission.

Trimmings legally belong to the owner of the hedge. You must technically offer the cut branches back to your neighbour before disposing of them (though dumping them over the fence without asking constitutes fly-tipping).

Under the High Hedges Act (Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003), if an evergreen or semi-evergreen hedge consists of two or more trees/shrubs, exceeds 2 metres in height, and severely blocks light to a neighbouring domestic property, neighbours can lodge a formal complaint with the local council.

Councils can issue legally binding Remedial Notices forcing the hedge owner to reduce its height.

✍ Neil Shaw

15/06/2026

As your ward councillors for Sherborne St John & Rooksdown, we firmly believe that regularly attending Parish Council meetings is one of the most important parts of representing our communities effectively.

That is why Cllr Simon Minas-Bound, Cllr Jay Ganesh and Councillor Karl Rand - Sherborne St John and Rooksdown make every effort to attend meetings across all four Parish Councils within our ward, while working closely with Councillor Rhydian Vaughan MBE, our Hampshire County Councillor, to ensure local issues are raised and addressed at every level of government.

📍 Sherborne St John Parish Council
📍 Monk Sherborne Parish Council
📍 Wootton St Lawrence with Ramsdell Parish Council
📍 Rooksdown Parish Council

Parish Councils are at the heart of village life. They are often the first place where local concerns, ideas and opportunities are discussed. By attending regularly, we can:

👥 Listen directly to residents and parish councillors
🏛️ Provide updates on Borough and County Council matters
🏡 Support local projects, village halls, recreation grounds and community groups
🛣️ Work together on highways, transport, drainage and infrastructure issues
🏗️ Ensure planning and development concerns are understood and represented
💰 Help secure funding opportunities and community grants
🔗 Strengthen communication between Parish, Borough and County Councils
🌿 Champion the needs of our rural communities

This is especially important for the villages in the rural part of our ward. Every parish has its own character, priorities and challenges. Regular attendance helps us stay connected to local issues, build strong relationships and ensure that residents have a direct voice in decisions that affect their communities.

Strong Parish Councils, working alongside Borough and County Councillors, are essential to protecting and enhancing the quality of life that makes our villages such special places to live.

We remain committed to working closely with all four Parish Councils and to ensuring that the voices of residents across Sherborne St John, Monk Sherborne, Charter Alley, Ramsdell and Rooksdown continue to be heard.

Cllr Simon Minas-Bound l Cllr Jay Ganesh l Councillor Karl Rand - Sherborne St John and Rooksdown - Ward Councillors for Sherborne St John & Rooksdown in Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

Councillor Rhydian Vaughan MBE - County Councillor for Hampshire County Council

07/06/2026

👋 Meet Your Ward Councillors & County Councillor

Following the local elections, we are pleased to introduce and update your local representatives serving the communities of Sherborne St John & Rooksdown.

🏡 Your Borough Councillors for Sherborne St John & Rooksdown Ward

We are delighted to welcome Councillor Karl Rand - Sherborne St John and Rooksdown, who was elected on 7 May 2026 and joins Cllr Jay Ganesh and Cllr Simon Minas-Bound in representing residents at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

Together, we are committed to listening to residents, supporting local organisations, and working hard to improve our communities.

Borough Councillors can help with:

✅ Planning applications and development concerns
✅ Local Plan and housing proposals
✅ Council housing matters
✅ Environmental health issues
✅ Fly-tipping, litter and street cleanliness
✅ Grounds maintenance and grass cutting
✅ Parks, playgrounds and open spaces
✅ Community safety and anti-social behaviour concerns
✅ Tree and hedge issues on council land
✅ Waste and recycling collection services
✅ Leisure facilities and community centres
✅ Economic development and support for local businesses
✅ Community grants and local projects
✅ Adoption and maintenance concerns on housing estates
✅ Flooding and drainage issues (where Borough Council is responsible)
✅ Licensing matters (pubs, taxis, events, etc.)
✅ Signposting residents to council and partner services

🚦 Your County Councillor

We are also delighted that Councillor Rhydian Vaughan MBE has been re-elected and will continue serving as your Hampshire County Councillor.

As your County Councillor, Rhydian represents our area at Hampshire County Council, helping shape and deliver many of the services residents rely upon every day.

County Councillors can help with:

🚗 Roads, potholes and highway maintenance
🚦 Road safety schemes and traffic management
🚸 School places, admissions and education services
🚌 Public transport and supported bus services
🚶 Footpaths, cycleways and rights of way
💡 Highway street lighting (where maintained by Hampshire County Council)
🌳 Countryside services and public rights of way
📚 Libraries and cultural services
👶 Children's services and safeguarding
👵 Adult social care and support services
♿ Support for vulnerable adults and families
🚑 Public health and wellbeing initiatives
🌊 Flooding and drainage on the highway network
🔥 Fire and Rescue Service oversight
🏗 Major transport and infrastructure projects
🏫 Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services
🌱 Climate change and environmental programmes delivered by the County Council
💷 Local highways and community grant funding opportunities

🤝 Working Together for Residents

Your local councillors work closely together across all levels of local government to help residents navigate issues, secure improvements and ensure local voices are heard.

Your Local Team

🔹 Cllr Jay Ganesh – Borough Councillor
🔹 Cllr Simon Bound – Borough Councillor
🔹 Cllr Karl Rand – Borough Councillor
🔹 Cllr Rhydian Vaughan – Hampshire County Councillor

Whether you have concerns about roads, planning, schools, community facilities, local services or neighbourhood issues, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Working together for Sherborne St John, Rooksdown, Ramsdell, Monk Sherborne, Charter Alley, West Heath, Sherborne Fields, Marnel Park and our surrounding communities.

Cllr Jay Ganesh l Cllr Simon Minas-Bound l Councillor Karl Rand - Sherborne St John and Rooksdown for Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

Councillor Rhydian Vaughan MBE for Hampshire County Council