A REVOLUTION in the way East Hampshire District Council delivers its services – and treats its taxpayers and youngsters – has been promised by Tory leader Ferris Cowper. In an exclusive and far-ranging interview with The Herald, the 57-year-old former industry chief said he planned to run the council as a money-making business rather than just another loss-leading local authority. 'My ambition is to make EHDC the most innovative and creative local authority in Britain,' he pledged. While many 'heard-it-all-before' council tax payers will doubtless be sceptical about the pledges, Mr Cowper insists he is not just spouting political hot air in the wake of the Conservative's easy victory at last month's council elections. He said he would resign if he went 'native' and failed to achieve any of his ground-breaking initiatives. Mr Cowper, who represents Grayshott and whose party commands a 2:1 majority over the Liberal Democrats, has already promised to freeze council tax for three years and plans to pay for it by making the council generate cash from some services. He aims to raise £1million by the time the next elections in May 2011. 'It's falling off a log stuff,' he claimed. 'If the £1million isn't there, then I won't be standing here – raising £1million is very achievable.' Although the 'big idea' is to boost council coffers by organising a weekly East Hampshire lottery, Mr Cowper also wants some departments to raise money by charging for extra services. The charges could include providing a service whereby property developers could pay for advice they received before submitting planning applications. Other money-spinning ideas include offering pubs, clubs, hotels and other businesses the chance to join the new glass recycling scheme. The difference would be that while the kerbside collection is free for residents, businesses would have to pay. Mr Cowper also reckons people will be willing to pay for council experts to give them advice on how to save energy in their homes. Even the cemetery department is included in the proposals, offering a flower delivery and grave maintenance service. "I am immensely excited by the lottery as well," he said. "It is going through feasibility checks now; if it takes off it will be a win, win situation all round with the ticket sales going into community services and the chance to win a prize." The former European director of the Mars confectionery company, admits in his interview that he entered local politics believing that most politicians were "incompetent" "It is fair to say that I do get frustrated at slow progress," he said. "I have spent my life in fast moving consumer companies – democracy is slow, in order to ensure you are consulting people.' His blueprint for East Hampshire's future does not stop at just raising money to keep council tax down and ratepayers happy. Other priorities include helping people in deprived circumstances and letting 16 to 18-year-olds no longer have the excuse of complaining that there is nothing for them to do, or anywhere for them to go. An annual music concert is one idea, and a 'funky' council website another. Mr Cowper also wants the council to become so user-friendly that youngsters will be happy to submit their own proposals to the cabinet of leading councillors. Existing community forums – at which members of the public get a chance to have their say – must also be revamped to make them more appealing, he said, while the council must be quicker to respond to concerns about issues such as the recent Selborne roadworks. On green issues, Mr Cowper stressed that the council would play a full part in tackling the problems caused by climate change, including making sure its own buildings were 'carbon efficient.' He said the council would also be looking at alternative energy sources and ways of providing them. lRead The Herald's full interview with Ferris Cowper on page eight
