THE NEW chairman of Liss Parish Council is looking forward to the next 12 months.

Cllr Roger Hargreaves was elected as chairman at the council’s annual meeting earlier this month.

Cllr Hargreaves had been the council’s vice-chairman, and he said he had to think seriously before standing as chairman.

He said: “I’ve got family commitments and I need to do the job seriously and do the best for Liss.

“I had a chat with my wife and thought long and hard about it.

“I take the view that if I do it, one must take it seriously.

“I’m committed for the year, and we’ll see where we are at the end of the year.

“I’m going to throw myself into it.”

Cllr Hargreaves also highlighted some of the key issues ahead for the year.

He said: “We have two or three big things.

“We are looking to finish everything to do with the neighbourhood plan, and we are hoping to have the referendum in Liss later this year, probably in the autumn, and then get it signed off.

“We are also trying to get the pavilion up and running.

“We will have another public consultation to make sure our plans are what the public want, and then we will apply for planning and go out to tender.

“We are also trying to help the Newman Collard Trust upgrade and replace the play equipment, and we will need a substantial grant.”

Cllr Hargreaves paid tribute to former parish council chairman Keith Budden, who is now vice-chairman after four years in the chairman’s position.

Cllr Hargreaves said: “Keith has huge experience as a parish councillor and I really appreciate that he was willing to put himself forward as vice-chairman.

“Keith is also a district councillor and we will genuinely be working closely together.”