The 'Berkhamsted Syndrome' continues to dog the local political scene. On the 18th May, it was Berkhamsteds' turn to elect its' Mayor. With the now usual slick organisation, we had two proposals for Town Mayor and John Brookes (Lib-Dem) got the position by a hairs breath. The Lib-Dems showed their appreciation, by proposing Peter Ginger (Cons) as his deputy who was duly elected. As number of the Committees had a bit of a shake up, on the fly, as it were, following this unexpected series of events, with the labour member, Paul Dyett, coming off Planning and going on to Finance & Policy. This meant changes necessary to both Planning and Finance & Policy, together with finding replacements for John Brookes on his old Committees. The other surprise was that the new chairman of Finance & Policy is Cllr. Ian Reay (Cons), although he was chairman in the previous Council. Avid readers may remember the minor difficulties last year when we attempted to get the 'political balance' as near right as we can.
All you have to remember is that out of 13 members, the Independents have 6 seats (46.15%), the Lib-Dems have 4 (30.77%), the Conservatives have 2 (15.38%) and Labour 1 (7.69%). The Committee make up is now; Finance & Policy, together with Community Action - Ind (33.33%), LD (33.33%) and Cons/Lab with 16.16.66% each; Environment together with Transport; Ind (50%), LD (33.33%), Cons (16.66%); Planning now has Ind (83.33%) and Cons (16.66%). Full details are available from the Town Clerk or on the web site.
The reason I went into so much detail over the own Council is because Borough is still having percentage problems of its' own. The Council meeting held on 3rd June, brought to light the effect that having attempted to keep the majority party in the majority and increasing the size of Committees to keep everyone happy, those nasty Lib-Dems had purloined one of the Conservatives policy committee seats (according to the Conservatives). In the best tradition of democracy, the matter has been referred to the Policy Committee being held at the end of June, although concern was expressed whether or not that Committee was legal!

Meanwhile, returning to things that directly affect you & I in Berkhamsted. If you are quick, the Town Centre Forum will have its' quarterly meeting on July 1st in the Town Hall where you can join in the discussions on how to put right all those things that have gone wrong over the past few years. Questions can be asked and answers provided by members of the Borough majority group. If you have practical ideas, then this is the one meeting to attend. Later in July, on the 20th, the West Herts Health Authority is holding a public meeting (in the Town Hall again) to discuss the future of the heath provision in the area. This is all about whether to keep the main hospitals as they are (option A) but cut services, or build a new one (option B) and still keep the existing hospitals open. Everyone, except the Health Authority, considers that the decision has already been made and option B is the one to go for. After all, if you have the choice of cutting services or consolidating them in one place, is there a choice? The answer is to suggest an alternative, let's say, option C, and get public support behind that. Watch the local press for updates on this saga, attend the meeting(s) and make sure we get the best solution to the problem that the NHS has created for itself.

The Council has accepted a report/proposal by Cllr. Peter Such, which suggested the Canal & Riverside Partnership (CARP) it takes advantage of funding from the EEC for a project manager. He has assured the Council that it will cost it nothing, as it will be fully funded. I'm afraid, I will believe it, when I see it. The suggestion is that providing a person is found who meets the fairly strict requirements, then that person(s) could be used for Youth & Community development and/or Town Development. This is the same scheme that the Borough Council proposed taking forward last year - remember, two wardens, come on, pay attention - but for reasons best known to themselves, was quietly dropped. I wonder why?
Readers will remember that the whole CARP project is estimated to cost around £630,000, and the Town Council has paid £11,000+ for the design work. The first part to be 'attacked' is the bridge over the canal in Castle Street, which will be enhanced and 'beautified'. This work will include replicated gas lamps on each corner of the bridge, street lighting removed in Mill Street (makes you wonder why it was recently renewed, doesn't it?), new paving to match the rest of the town (!!) and the balustrade top section of the railings changed to reflect the design of the adjacent railings. I bet you are all looking forward to looking out of the train window at this wonder of design. It won't last long, I reported the broken light fittings about a year ago, but Borough said they belonged to County, as they hadn't been handed over. County took the view that as they were in Berkhamsted and not on a trunk road, they shouldn't pay to repair the lights. In best local government tradition, nothing happens. After all they can't even get all the NEW High Street lights to ALL come on at dusk and off at dawn in the same 24 hour period. Is it just me?
The 'Festival of Light' (aka Christmas Lights) group is now under the wing of our new mayor and I like what I have heard so far, so once we have some firm news, I will pass on all the details in the next issue or so, all I can say at the moment is that switch-on day could be well worth turning out for. It is hoped that we can get organised some town orientated events to mark the millennium, but, again, watch this space.

On a personal note, the changes in Borough mean that I have come off Development Control (planning) and Environment Committees and I am now on the Housing and Policy ones, so you should hear more from me about their activities. On the Town Council, I am no longer on Finance & Policy, but gone back onto Planning. I hope these changes will allow me to provide a better & broader 'news service' for you all. For my sins, I will still be involved in town planning via my involvement with the Planning committee and Berkhamsted Urban Design Study (BUDS). The Environment committee as the allotment representative for Sunnyside and member of the Parish paths group. The Transport & Highways committee as a member and involvement in the CCTV project. Community Action and the Finance & Policy committees will also suffer, as I am still involved with the Christmas Lights, Town Warden, Berkhamsted Access committee and Internet. Thinking about it, not a lot will have changed and I expect my knowledge base to continue to expand to stand me in good stead for next years election.