Over 500 signatures were collected in the save the Heights Post Office petitions, one by Cllr Lloyd Harris and myself and another initiated by a local resident.

It was surprising how widely distributed the names listed in the petition were. It shows that the Post Office is valued not just used by people of Highfield but by people from all over.

My colleagues and I received a warm reception when we launched a campaign to save The Heights Post Office here in Highfield, from local residents and shopkeepers alike.

Geoff Lawrence, a former post master of the Heights Post Office said “This Post Office is the hub of the parade, its loss could have a detrimental effect on the other shopkeepers”

I believe Pensioners and the disabled find the main Post Office in the Marlowes inconvenient now it has moved. We need local Post Offices so they wont have to struggle with the stairs in WH Smith.

4/00978/08/FUL TWO DWELLINGS GARAGE COURT ADJ. 7, MALVERN WAY, HP2 5RB for HIGHTOWN PRAETORIAN & CHURCHES HOUSING ASSOCIATION LTD (comments by 10th JUNE)
http://www.dacorum.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=1497&ID=4/00978/08/FUL

4/00794/08/FUL CONVERSION OF DWELLING TO FORM THREE RESIDENTIAL UNITS, 9 SATURN WAY, HP2 5NY (comments now closed)
http://www.dacorum.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=1497&ID=4/00794/08/FUL
4/00797/08/FUL CONVERSION OF DWELLING TO FORM THREE RESIDENTIAL UNITS, 21 SATURN WAY, HP2 5NY (comments now closed)
http://www.dacorum.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=1497&ID=4/00797/08/FUL

On 27th February, the Dacorum Council members debated the budget. I voted for a 3.8% Council Tax increase but the Conservatives used their majority to impose a 4.5% increase.

Lloyd Harris and I together with our Liberal Democrat colleagues voted to support an amendment that would have reversed the cuts to charities and in fact increased the amount they currently receive, increased bus subsidy, remove the petty cut to stop providing bags for the Council’s dog waste bins and delivered a 3.8% Council Tax increase. (more…)

Highfield Cllrs Brenda Link and Lloyd Harris will hold an advice surgery on Sat 20th Sept at Highfield Community Centre, Bellgate, Fletcher Way from 10am-noon

At the full council meeting the Conservative Administration denied that the budget process for the coming year was delayed but admitted that the first chance opposition members would have to see it will be in February. Cllr Denise Rance, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Official Opposition, questioned the Leader of the Council who could not bring himself to admit that scrutiny of the budget had been removed from all committee meetings in the autumn, and often with little notice. (more…)

At the full council meeing of the Dacorum Borough Council in January I asked the portfolio holder responsible for the old market site what plans were in place for the old market site now that the market has moved into the Marlowes.

His answer demonstrated the lack of planning and forethought the Conservative run council has given to this and other strategic decisions. He said they were thinking of putting an skating rink there but found out that they can’t because there is already one at Leisure World.  He was not able to identify any other use at that time.

Considering it will be a long time before the area is re-developed for the new Waterhouse Square project, the site runs a big risk of becoming a rundown eyesore in the heart of the Town.

If you have any suggestions as to what the site could be used for please let me know.

At full council meeting on 16th Jan Conservative councillors had to admit that the auditors had expressed several concerns about the Council’s financial arrangements. A list of 86 corrections that had to be made to the accounts was circulated including one adjustment of over 13 million pounds.

(more…)

At the Dacorum Council meeting today my fellow ward councillor, Lloyd Harris asked the Tory run council to earmark a proportion of car park revenue to support public transport. They refused.

My colleague Cllr Nick Hollinghurst asked if the Council would pay its full share of bus subsidy for late night and rural buses. They refused and resorted to insults against my colleagues.

This goes to show that Tory run Dacorum is more interested in raking money in from the car parks then its commitment to provide alternatives to the car. It also shows that they are willing to put bus services at risk even when for some people it is the only way they can get around town.