Two thoughts for this week from 1st May 2000
At the annual meeting of the Council, both the Chief Executive of the Borough and several Councillors states that they would consult with the public before making decisions. In the Boroughs case, it was suggested that they would consult and listen - then let residents know why they took the particular decision they actually had.
In the Town Councillors case, a plea was made to let the Town Council have residents views so that they could be passed on to the responsible bodies.
I can only hope that you all have enough salt, as it was not that long ago that the planning committee of the Town Council, who are only part of the legal consultation process (like you and me!) in planning matters, had a fair number of protesters regarding the ‘Coopers’ site. Having listened to all the arguments, promptly went against the wishes of local residents ‘as it was not a planning consideration’. I can only suppose that as only 30 odd residents out of 15000+ actually turned up, the other 14970+ were all in favour.
I can only hope that Councillors never take this view at election time. I was very conscious that although I received more votes than other candidates, more people either voted for others or did not bother to vote, I still actually represented everyone. Perhaps that is were I went wrong and didn’t get re-elected. The Chairman of the Planning Committee has already changed political groups three times in order to get elected, so what do you expect?
Next Wednesday, the Borough Council has its’ annual meeting when the ruling party nominates its suggestion as Mayor and every nods and it happens.
Last week, 26 Conservatives faced 20 Labour and 6 Lib-Dem's.
This week, 25 Conservatives face 21 Labour and 6 Lib-Dem's.
Whoops - 25 beats 21, but if 6 plus 21 get together for some reason, the 25 will lose their nomination.
The numbers game means that the chairman of the Council and each Committee frequently had to use the casting (usually 2nd) vote to make decisions. This also means that everyone turns up or else they are in trouble. It was difficult enough with 26 Conservatives facing the rest, but only 25 will mean the Lib-Dem's will hold everyone to ransom and judging from the last Council when a number of Labour members got so fed up, then became Independents, do not be surprised to see more changes over the coming months and years.
Second thought for 1st May 2000
Just in case the current holders of high office in the Town or Borough start taking credit again, I thought I had better just remind you of what a sea change the Independent Council of 1995/99 brought the Town.
After years of neglect and always passing the buck to the Borough Council, funding was found for the Mayors Walk (now the Heritage Walk), repair of the De-Lisle clock in the town centre, the Canal project and, dare I say, the Berkhamsted Urban Design Study (the one good thing that Cllr Foster came up with without getting her proper credit).
Now after my campaign to get the Chesham Road/Hilltop steps sorted out, at last funding has been allocated and over the Easter School holidays, will be completely rebuilt.
Whilst blowing my own trumpet, I pushed through the funding for the towns independent bore hole for monitoring the water table in the town centre and a large grant to enable the Town Hall progress to a usable venue and on a smaller scale, the footpaths completed between Coram Close and Woodlands Avenue together with Upper Hall Park to Swing Gate Lane. I bet no-one ever noticed!
How about pedestrianisation of Lower Kings Road and the entrance to the Car Park?
How about a visitor centre in the now empty shop on the corner of Lower Kings Road and the High Street (was a greengrocer and more recently a cooked meat/take away).
How about lighting along the many public footpaths that crisscross the town?
Remember you read it here first!!
Thought for week
from 20th May 2000
I thought I would just ask you all the questions I never got answered at the Towns annual meeting
1 With all political levels moaning about the level of apathy amongst the public at an all time low, will the Borough Council allow posters to be erected along the highways and byways like happens in other parts of the country?
2 Will the Town Council explain why it continues to have faith in the Dacorum Internet site which is run by an organisation that cannot even get the Councils correct in the residents handbook, not once but twice even after being told?
The answer to the first question when I asked in May 1995 was that the political groups had decided not to and fly-posting is illegal anyway.
The answer to the second one goes along the lines that tagging onto the Borough one will be better for the town and cost nothing.
I can only repeat that the ‘berko’ site has been running for over 3 years and has offered the Council all the space it can fill, to say what it likes and by who it likes.
Secretly, I believe they just cannot bring themselves to admit they just don’t like me!
