I am one of your three Borough Councillors for Northaw Ward, which in 2008 became Northaw and Cuffley Ward to reflect the growth in our villages. I was first elected Councillor in May 2004 and I thank you all for re-electing me in May 2008.
On 9th November, 2009, was appointed a Cabinet Member with the Environment Portfolio covering street scene and its many aspects, refuse and recycling, landscape, ecology and cemetaries. I am a member of HCC Waste Awareness Committee and the Hertfordshire Environmental Forum. As a Cabinet Member I attend Strategic Leadership meetings and Conservative Leadership Group meetings and attend the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee. I am also the Vice Chairman of Northaw Village Hall Management Committee.
I am particularly pleased to be appointed Cabinet Member for the Environment which deals with enviromental issues affecting the whole Borough. With officers, I review policy, policy development, best value reviews and scrutiny functions. However I also have a keen interest in the other committees on which I serve.
My main interests for our villages are keeping our environment at a high standard, reducing crime and anti-social behaviour and being available for consultation to assist with problems. I regularly communicate with Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (WHBC) to report poor activity in respect of street scene, street sweeping and failures with regard to waste collection and recycling. I also commmunicate with Hertfordshire County Council with regard to matters affecting the highway, pavements and lighting. I liaise closely with the Parish Council, having been chairman in 2006/7. I am a strong supporter of the committee 'Stop speeding in Northaw' (SSIN) and I liaise with Hertfordshire County Council Highways, and with our County Councillor Bill Storey, our MP Charles Walker and our Police Ward Constable David Wardell and Police Community Support Officer Mark Randall. I have regular contact with the head of our commmunity Police Team at Hatfield Police Station. Policing for me is vital for our villages to ensure the continued safety of residents and children.
WHBC have recently introduced a Community Chest ( July 2008), which following a report from your three Councillors of a Ward Improvement Plan, allows for the expenditure of funds to support local initiatives. Also your three Councillors also have access to a small fund for one-off items to assist ward improvement. For 2008/9 we completed six projects with these funds, four for our two village halls, one for the Northaw and Cuffley Residents Association and lastly acquiring a bus shelter at Cuffley Station. The 2009/10 programmes, so far, include projects for Northaw Village Hall, Northaw Great Wood, the Cuffley Scout building and assisting our over 55 club with refurbishing equipment. All projects are to assist residents to enhance community facilities for all.
If a local association or group require small funds for one-off projects to assist in development or communications, please conatct me or your two other Councillors John Masnfield or John Nicholls and we may be able to assist.
I attend full Council and Cabinet meetings as one of your representatives, Strategic Leadership meetings, Conservative Group meetings(2) which consider future plans and policies.
Please note that the individuals or organisations underlined have either email links or websites links for you to click on to send a message should you wish to do so.
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