News from the Rickmansworth Liberal Democrats

A Celebration of the Centenary voyage of the restored horse drawn canal boat, Ilkestone, was held at Batchworth Lock on Saturday 18th August presented by the Rickmansworth Waterways Trust. Local people were able to:
* Climb on board both the historical working horse drawn canal boat Ilkestone and Roger the engine powered wooden boat
* Navigate a boat on The Little Union Canal
* Take a boat trip on the Pride of Batchworth
* Listen to music by Phoenix Jazz, Tom Craven, Dave Auld, the Land of Liberty and others.
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Is Three Rivers District Council the right size? The Boundary Commission is consulting on the number of elected members the Council should have.
At present there are 48 Cllrs representing 20 wards. These wards were established some years ago, after a great deal of careful thought and consideration. Three Rivers is a very diverse area, including both affluent parts and deprived areas, rural and suburban areas and communities with strong local loyalties. It was felt then that these differences should be respected and supported so the wards were designed to achieve this. The Lib Dem administration of of Three Rivers District Council believes these factors should still be respected and supported. Think of the differences between South Oxhey, Moor Park, Leavesden, Maple Cross and Mill End and Rickmansworth town centre!

Your council's recommendation is that the 48 should only be reduced to 39 (the Boundary Commission is insisting on 3 member wards). Labour wants a smaller reduction to 42, but the Conservative Group is supporting a huge reduction of more than a third, to just 30 members representing 10 wards. We cannot agree with that. The Liberal Democrats want an open democratic system which is able to respond effectively to all parts of the district. We stand for an open form of local government where the Councillors and the local people can all to contribute to decisions.

We believe such a large reduction in members would be very damaging to local democracy. It would mean a loss of representation that preserves the geographical integrity of different areas and recognises and respects their community life.

There would also be less time for members to be available to support and help individuals in their wards and to protect and promote the interests of communities. It is vital that Councillors spend most of their time engaging with and listening to the community views and needs, rather than just in committee work.

This is an issue that will impact on the whole district. Please consider the issues and make representations to the Boundary Commission if you have views. To read the submissions go to http://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/eastern/hertfordshire/three-rivers-fer