Sign up to regular monthly newsletters by email by clicking here... Last month's elections mark an important moment for the Vale as we embark on a new Council and look forward to the challenges and rewards of the next four years. The poll on 7th May saw the introduction of new ward boundaries across the district which saw the number of councillors reduce from 51 to 38. This change, which results in the creation of 24 new council wards, means that each councillor now represent a more equal number of voters and has also reduced the cost of democracy to taxpayers. You will recall the devastating fire that destroyed the council offices in January as a result of an arson attack. Since then our staff have been fantastic in pulling together and making do as they have been forced to work in corridors and any bit of space we could beg or borrow from other organisations. By the end of this month we will be open at our new premises at 135 Milton Park. This new home in the Vale will see all of the Council's staff brought back under one roof for the first time since the fire. Milton Park is a short term solution (around three years) and decisions are still be to taken on the long term rebuild or replacement of the old offices. Delivering a new Local Plan and dealing with the pressure for new housing continues to be the biggest challenge facing the Vale. The Planning Inspector has confirmed that he will begin the Examination Hearings on 21st September. Details of the Examination process are available on the Vale's website at www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/localplan and will be updated as we go through the process. The Inspector will assess the 'soundness' of the Vale's plan and take into account all of the comments submitted as part of the latest round of consultation. No doubt there will be plenty more news on this matter in due course.