TEST Valley Borough Council leader Ian Carr is looking forward to a peaceful New Year.

In his new year message to residents of the borough he says: "With our strong connections with the armed services in Test Valley, the debate about international events that has featured throughout 2002 has been particularly close to home.

"I am sure I am not alone in wishing our friends and colleagues with military connections across the borough a safe New Year.

"On behalf of the council, I have just signed a document confirming our commitment to a national programme of local government improvement.

"In the case of Test Valley, this commitment covers new initiatives like the Neighbourhood Warden scheme which is now running successfully and the established services like waste collection and recycling, which are now being provided through a ground-breaking new partnership with New Forest District Council.

"I am confident that we will be equally innovative in the way we deliver local services in the coming year.

"But of course, all of this is undertaken in very challenging financial conditions.

"Like every other organisation, the council must be realistic about and what it can hope to achieve on behalf of the community.

"Councillors are in the middle of a detailed budget-setting process that aims to set sensible objectives that will provide quality services and address the priority local issues, such as the development of Healthy Living Centres for local young people in the area.

"I wish everyone in the Borough a happy and prosperous New Year and hope we will all be able to look back in 12 month's time on a successful 2003."