New Year's Resolutions (rant)

I’ve given up paying my usual lip service to regaining my long lost six pack or hoping that after an eighteen year absence, a full head of hair will miraculously grow back of its own accord or hoping to ever win the lottery.

From a councillors perspective, being one of only four Labour Councillors on Hertsmere Borough Council and having the demoralising task of facing its twenty eight conservative councillors, resolving to effect real change can be somewhat challenging, in fact it would be easier getting my head through the proverbial brick wall . With such a large albeit democratically elected political imbalance in Hertsmere, it’s hard to see how can we could ever realistically challenge the decisions they want to get through or even more frustratingly, when crucial meetings are held in a Part II confidential format, holding them to account for mistakes they have made becomes legally impossible.

Recent examples of the Labour Groups support for Brookside Boys Club and the motions we put forward for 20 mph speed limits in certain areas and the reduction in the use of plastic bags in our borough have shown me that it is far more practical, productive and successful to persuade and influence HBC’s 28 Tory councillors to do the right thing for the residents they have been trusted to represent. With so many councillors and so much power it is totally understandable how an executive group could become a little out of touch, comfortable and dare I say it, believing themselves to be unassailable.

So the next time I am involved in or a witness to things that make my blood boil, I resolve to stay calm, continue reminding this ruling group who put them in their positions of control and whose money it really is that they are spending, wish me luck. I wish you luck with your resolutions and a Happy New Year.