By the time you read this, the Town and Borough elections are either in just a few days time, or, once again, you have the advantage of knowing the result. Such are the time scales for getting 'copy' in, the March issue arrived after I had written last months article which, you may remember contained letters from members of the Lib-Dems, Conservatives and Independents, so it must be that Labour either have better things to do or don't read this superb (get that, Mr Editor?) publication.
As you all know by now, I don't have a political bone in my body, so I can treat them all equally. Let's start with John Cooks (Conservative) one first (great column John, only people seem to read yours first then mine!). John inferred that the Conservative run Town Council was responsible for the Sports Centre, Gossoms End elderly care unit, Youth Club, the bypass, Manor St. health centre, traffic calming and the 'Waitrose' development. If that was true, then they have made a right pigs ear of it and the Townspeople let them know they had.
Ian Johnson (Independent  - Berkhamsted First) takes a similar stance, although Ian believes the Council should only spend money on what it can achieve. This would mean that the Council only would need to meet every month or so, a part-time clerk would suffice and we could let the Borough Councillors do some work for the town for a change (if the other 46 let them).
When you look at John Cooks list, then the Council did none of those things, indeed the reason the Conservatives lost power in 1995 was exactly because others imposed 'projects' on the town. These were often badly thought out and could have met the needs of the Berkhamsted residents far better if only the Town Council had more power/influence.
Betty Patterson (Lib-Dem) must be reading a different 'Donldsons' Health Check (mine is dated February 1999) as the point was made that although a number of operators had expressed interest in the REX site, none had actually followed up that expression of interest. The report suggests that a 2/3 screen 'niche' market (p9) but my opinion is it just ain't big enough to do that properly. I am aware that the same people and organisations are talking to both the supporters of the REX and Town Hall. My opinion is still that the Town Hall complex will be completed before the REX project and the only advantage the REX has, is that the floor is raked and ideal for theatre or cinema use. Unfortunately, some swine invented television and Berkhamsted is a commuter town, which would make this use difficult to support.

It looks as though this could be my last column, as I haven't found time to 'con' 10 people into signing my nomination papers, let alone start do any canvassing. This could, therefore, be a suitable time to reflect over the past 4 years and have a sneak preview on what the next 4 could bring.
Both Town & Borough Councils had a major change in 1995. At the Borough Council, the Labour group started with an overwhelming majority and for the first few months, didn't quiet know how to handle it, but the party machine soon took hold and lots of social projects were planned, funded and put into place. Some were good, some were bad, although most picked up on the national governments view that communities should help themselves and so reduce the burden on the national taxpayer. The combined efforts of the Conservatives, Lib-Dems and Independents only served to slow the Labour program down until the last few months. This was the result of a by-election halfway through the term and the sudden realisation, by some of the Labour Majority group, that the interpretation of the manifesto was not the same as theirs. A deal was done with the Lib-Dems to hold together the Council as the minority groups could out vote the Labour majority if they wished.
The Town Council had almost a complete change in 1995, with just two members of the previous council hanging onto their seats. Nearly half had resigned by mid-term, mainly due to frustration with the limited powers the Town Council has. National government has realised this and is promoting devolution of power down to the local levels. I think the idea is District/Borough level, but your Council is hoping that more will come down further. Unlike Borough, the Independents did not have a 'party machine' to guide them, so have had to progress everything by trial and error. This has taken longer than the expected 4 years, but they are getting there.
The coming 4 years will have almost as dramatic change. The Borough Council will have 6 less members and will have to address the governments decree that we change our way of working to make local government more accountable.  This could include a directly elected mayor with powers beyond the existing or perhaps a cabinet style with the 'back-benchers' just looking after their own wards.  I believe anything which puts a lot of power in the hands of a few cannot be good, apart from pushing through the ideas and policies of those few. Until some method is found to make local government more interesting, then less than 50% turnout will remain the norm.  I might as well let you know I don't agree with the proposed proportional representation format of electing by party rather than a person, although I wouldn't mind betting that that to will rear its ugly head again.
On the Town Council front, increased numbers must mean some new faces. I also expect the devolution of power down to continue and a review in the way the council works. I expect the town council share of the Council Tax to increase and it's up to you to ensure it is spent to the benefit of the town by actually taking an interest in your local council. The first step is to get out on election day (Thursday May 6th) and actually vote. You can at least have the satisfaction of either saying I told you so, or what a good job the cons/lib/lab/Ind (cross out as applicable) group is doing for the town.

And finally, if you wondered how/why/how tin cans and paper become shredded along the verges, I can tell you. Picture the scene, it's the Monday before Easter, the sky is overcast with slight drizzle in the air. In your hands you have a three-foot wide grass cutter powered by a mighty engine and your job is to cut all the sloping bits of grass that the wheeled machines miss. What a feeling it must be, chop up everything in your path whilst having the satisfaction of cutting the grass and adding that distinctive aroma of newly cut grass to the surroundings of the Hilltop Estate. I know it happened, because I watched it.