Small Print
It was some 9 years ago when I suddenly realised that the public were being walked all over, as we really didn’t take an interest in local politics and politicians assumed that as no one cared, they just did things ‘in the best interest of the majority’. Hmm mm.
OK, I was as guilty as the rest, but I did do something about it.
I stood as an Independent in 1995 and managed to beat the pants off the opposition and was elected as both Town and Borough Councillor to represent the ‘old’ Berkhamsted East. Then in 1999, someone moved the ward boundaries and I lost half my support and was not re-elected. I was asked by the Conservatives in 2003 to represent them and in spite of adding some 300 votes over my dismal 1999 showing, still lost out to the Lib-Dems. This situation continues, but I still do my best to stir up a little interest in what local politicians get up to in our name as no-one else does.
Why a newsletter?
Since I stopped doing my column in the 'Berkhamsted Review', it is fairly difficult for residents to find out the background to the decisions taken on our behalf. Even the Borough Councillor who took over my column, Cllr. Ian Reay, tells us very little about local day to day political activities. The official word is available via the Internet, but never seem to answer questions like 'why were the yellow lines removed from most of Three Close Lane?' or 'why are the lines recently painted a nice bright yellow and still not conservation area style in all the area?' (see Charles Street for an example).
In May 2005, we will be able to elect a County Councillor, maybe even a new government and decide if we stay in Europe or not (forget the constitution, it will be on whether or not we stay in Europe as the government will have a better chance of getting the result it wants!).
Westminster
I hate to say this, but the best source of information really is a magazine entitled 'Private Eye'. It has a completely biased view on Government and will make you either want to emigrate or get involved in the decision(?) making process.
The major political parties have excellent web sites promoting their particular brand and another good source of information is a web-site nattily called www.wpolitix.co.uk.
If you've managed to stay interested this far, then why not have a look.
Locally
The Borough Council is Conservative controlled, although most of the Berkhamsted representatives are actually Lib-Dems. The Town Council is Lib-Dem apart from just one Conservative, Carol Green.
The Town Council struggles to spend the ‘precept’ with reserves building up nicely thank you. Even so, they manage to justify more than £120,000 of spending currently. As you all know, the Conservative controlled Urban and District Councils handed all except the allotments over to ‘new’ Borough Council in 1975, so do you really think you are getting value for money?
When your Council Tax bill arrived did you notice that services are being reduced and costs are going up. I think everyone now accepts that national government, and our 'friends' across the channel, have imposed more and more requirements on both County and Borough Councils without actually providing enough money to carry them out. Our Borough was one of a few in the country that was actually solvent until recently. This was largely due to funding for the New Town being used to ensure its success.
The latest imposition is to transfer the Council housing stock to outside bodies.
The carrot being that the government would not take all the valuation monies and the outside bodies could use all the rental income to carry out maintenance and improvements.
The stick is that the government will set rental rates anyway, but take even more than the current 41% already taken - thus even less to cover the cost of maintaining the housing stock.
Tenants will have to vote for this change to take place, but what would you do?
I’m afraid, that I am one of the old school. Local Councils should provide the services that local residents need. Housing for rental, transport, waste disposal, roads and infrastructure. Passing control of essential services to the private sector really must increase costs as a profit has to be made, otherwise, what would be the point.
But remember, the Labour party promised no increase in income tax and the Lib-Dems are looking to bring in a local income tax, so this will go someway to satisfying both parties.
Another concern, regular readers have expressed, is Development Control. This is currently under the stewardship of the Borough with the Town Council, well, just consulted. Not to worry though, soon even that little pleasure will be no more with decisions being taken by
own very own unelected Regional Assembly located somewhere round the M25, turn left up the M11 and then right into
the Fens – I think! Just a thought though, perhaps that should be round the M25, down the M20, under the water and keep going.
I wonder if conservation areas will be better protected?
What else?
What are the two burning issues in the town as I write.
Well, the new refuse collection system has just started and just £20,000+ could easily be spent installing a skateboard park on Velvet Lawn that no-one seems to want.
Skateboarding
I have to declare an interest in this as the proposed site is less than 100 yards from my garden, will mean either removing or moving a
fair distance, one of the football pitches and generally be a real pain in the neck. If it is used, it will attract older children and the noise drift will mix with the current by-pass vehicle noise. The Town Council are making all the right noises to meet a commitment made by the last Council - even down to suggesting that CCTV will be installed to help keep an eye on the situation. The only problem is that privately, a number of Town Councillor's are not convinced it is a good idea (sorry - vote winner) and when it was on the town planning committee agenda recently, it transpired that the Youth Council didn’t think it a good idea either. I did suggest that the money could be better spent on the town centre ‘Gatecrashers’ club or even the Youth Club up the other end of town. Some hope!
Just in case the Borough Council are minded to approve the application - they who must be obeyed!! - I suggested that only temporary planning permission is granted and the CCTV and management group be in place prior to any work commencing. We shall see.
Meanwhile -
The ‘wheelie’ bins have arrived!
Those of you who are members of the Berkhamsted Citizens Association - just £5 per year and apply via the web site http://www.bca.normcall.com - will have seen my photograph of the illegal parking of these bins on footpaths in Hemel Hempstead. Where are the wardens when you want them?
This disgraceful event is starting in the conservation area of Berkhamsted. But fear not, I have good reason to believe the Borough Council may have seen the error of it’s ways. Amongst the hills in our area, they spotted that a number of homes actually didn’t have nice smooth access to the highway, just a lot of steps. These homes have been issued with bio-degradable sacks to help the situation. It surely can only be a matter of time before the obstruction fines start to build up and eat into someone's budget. After all, we know who they belong to and who left them there.
The poor old Borough Council have discovered that the new parking charges/fines have not come up to the consultants expectations and therefore charges may have to go up. As I have pointed out in the past, their figures depend on a high rate of fines. Surely, the private company doing the enforcing are not trying. I mean, you have to pay the parking fee and display the ticket, before parking, also no part of the vehicle must extend outside the markings.
Come on, think about it!!
As part of my ongoing commitment to make this town better to live in, why not visit one of my web-sites (or even the Conservative one at http://www.tory-herts.org/southwest) and keep updated on local events and political campaigns.
You could even ask a political question or two and I will endeavour to find out the answer.
www.normancutting.com - about me
www.berko.org.uk - about the town
