TWO familiar figures are stepping down from the front line of local politics, as we report on page six of today's paper.

Councillor Laura James and Cllr Paul Harvey have decided to step down as leader and deputy leader respectively of the Basingstoke Labour Group at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

The duo, who held their positions for eight years, will remain on the borough council, representing the people of the political ward of Norden.

In their place step Cllr Gary Watts, as leader of the group, and Cllr Mike Westbrook, as the deputy leader.

Cllr Watts, in particular, is no stranger to leading the Labour group in Basingstoke, having filled the position between 2006 and 2008.

The Gazette wishes the new duo good luck, not out of any political bias, but out of respect for our democratic system.

As the second largest political group at the borough council, the Labour councillors have a duty to scrutinise and challenge, where necessary, plans put forward by the Conservative administration to help get the best deal for rate payers.

The Gazette hopes that they do.

 

I am sure every parent thinks their child is the cutest, but today we unveil the overall winner of our Cute Kids 2015 competition.

The winner was Harry Lomer-Cross, an excitable two-year-old boy from Laverstoke.

The Gazette would like to say congratulations to all those who took part, and the runners-up and winners of this year's competition.