Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s chief executive has defended his annual pay packet after details were published by a national pressure group.

The TaxPayers’ Alliance’s Town Hall Rich List breaks down the wages of top council officials.

According to the report, Tony Curtis saw his income increase by 2.23 per cent from £139,470 in 2009/10 to £142,574 in 2010/11.

Last year, his package was made up of a £117,957 salary, £7,431 in benefits in kind and £17,186 in pension...

Eco-campaigners have joined forces in a bid to fight pollution of Basingstoke’s River Loddon.

The crusade is spearheaded by Basingstoke MP Maria Miller and environmental group Basingstoke Transition Network (BTN).

The campaign is urging residents to snub phosphate rich products, such as detergents in washing machines and dishwashers.

Mrs Miller said people need to buy phosphate-free tablet alternatives.

“We can all do our bit to help reduce pollution in the river now and protect the...

Students win pledge on discount bus travel

STUDENTS at Queen Mary’s College (QMC) in Basingstoke are toasting victory after getting bus operator Stagecoach to introduce a young person’s discount travel card.
Andrew Dyer, director of Stagecoach South, met members of QMC’s Labour group on Tuesday.
Mr Dyer was responding to a petition from students calling on the firm to improve the service.
The document carried 578 signatures.
Following the meeting, Mr Dyer said Stagecoach had agreed to...

A new blue plaque commemorating a highly-respected Basingstoke architect was unveiled on Saturday.

Basingstoke Heritage Society honoured Baroque architect John James, who is believed to have been born in Basingstoke in 1673.

He is famous for designing Appuldurcombe House on the Isle of Wight and St Mary’s Church in Twickenham.

The plaque was placed at the Burgess Road entrance to South View Cemetery.