For your Christmas reading this year, I feel I should start getting political. After all, you will have the opportunity to throw all us newcomers out of office and get back to cosy party politics in May.
As I write, the two hot political subjects are the reduction of the 'moderating' power (aka abolition) of the House of Lords and government by parties. All I will say about the former is that it will not affect the local situation directly, but I fear the country will suffer as a result if it goes through.
The second contentious issue stems from the change from the current 'first past the post' system to proportional representation. The idea is to start as far away as possible with a system that concentrates political power in major political parties and once that is done, the usual argument is then used to justify implementing it closer to home, right down to local level where most people I speak to believe that party politics should have no place.
The Independent has no place in the current proposals, as if the first chosen named representative does not get sufficient votes, then your second choice goes to a party appointed representative. It is only a small step from this position that something completely unacceptable in contained within a parties manifesto suddenly becomes policy without question. We've all heard it - 'it was in the manifesto, so you must support it' (or voted for this or that policy). How many of you read each and every word of election manifestos or even understand it.
Perhaps all is not bad after all. Being Independent, means I can (and do) agree and support the best bits of the Labour, Conservative and Liberal-Democrat views without fear of upsetting my group leader. Remember nearly 10% of the majority Labour group at Borough have upset their leader according to the local press, and even in Berkhamsted nearly 50% of the 1995 elected Independents have resigned over policy issues.

The second residents association has been formed in the town under the guidance of the Borough Council. The first was in the Swing Gate Lane/Woodlands Avenue area and the newest is based on the Ashlyns Estate. I was lucky enough to hear about the latter a day before the first meeting and duly attended as both are within my ward. I understand that the Town Council and ward Councillors are not encouraged to get involved as the idea is to allow access to the Borough officers and Housing committee Chairman and vice-Chairman. As the only Berkhamsted representative on that very same committee I was stupid enough to believe I should be involved in this excellent initiative of the Borough - silly me. At that meeting, residents were as surprised as I was that the only area set aside (although neglected by the very same Council) for children to have a kick about or play in was located at the foot of Robin Hill, and described as a ' disused playground', is about to be built on. No alternative sites have been suggested by the Borough Council I suppose, because it wasn't used although the report that went to Council suggested youths were hanging around the area, making a nuisance of themselves. As the land was under the control of the Housing department the solution was obvious, wasn't it?
Other non-housing concerns raised at that meeting were the Hilltop Road 'pedestrian facility' near the flats, possible damage caused by the weight of a certain metal 'contraption' on the flat roof of one of the blocks of flats and the construction/maintenance of the footpath 'steps' leading down into Chesham Road. These steps are unlit, unevenly spaced and each step slopes downwards. I will go as far as to say they are downright dangerous and the Council have been lucky that only one death has occurred in this area. I have tried to get additional lighting (no money), cut back the trees (the warden had a go, but nature took its' course) and even suggested relocating the Chesham Road column about 5 yards down the hill to light up the steps to no avail. I wonder if the election will suddenly make something happen?

Meanwhile, back on the Town Council, it is budget time. Readers may remember that I was instrumental in preparing the last two Town Council budgets, the 1997/8 as a result of the then Chairman of Finance & Policy resigning and the current 1998/9 one, as I ended up as the Chairman. As a result of pressure by some of the newly elected members, the current year's precept was reduced and nearly £37,000 planned to be taken from reserves. I believed a serious error was made by Council and did not stand for re-election on that particular committee. Never the less I have continued to retain a keen interest and it looks as though the electorate will suffer this year as a result of the decision to reduce the precept last year. All I can say is that I am sorry my Independent colleagues did not support my proposals last year, and that you remember the majority of the influence on the Town Council is now Party Political, with now only two Independent members on the Finance & Policy Committee. Isn't this where I started?

The 'Festival of Light' should have been a great success with most of the credit going to the Town Mayor, John Brookes, even organising things from his hospital bed. He is now back in harness and I hope the organising group will meet early in the New Year to build on the framework now in place. The Town Council should be congratulated on picking up the pieces dropped by the Chamber of Commerce and allow the participants to forge ahead independent of the Council, but with the support only local government can provide.

Have a merry Christmas; a healthy & prosperous New Year and I look forward to keeping you up to date with all those little things that generally pass over the local press. Next month I should have news about the budget, various developments within the town and the usual comments to get you thinking, now you will not have the pleasure of elections every year, although 2 more Town Councillors, 1 less Borough Councillor and all the wards shifting around will be enough to keep your interest for a few more months yet