Lib Dem 'Watch' - on this page we report on the party that has run Watford for 16 years and is now becoming arrogant and complacent
"DISGRACEFUL" SLUR ON LABOUR MAYOR
Lib Dem councillors disown Giles-Medhurst's negative leaflet
There has been near unanimous condemnation of an anonymous leaflet published by Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst attacking the London Labour Mayor, Sadiq Khan in a style reminiscent of dog-whistle campaign of Zac Goldsmith in the mayoral elections. Instead of a photo of Sadiq a black silhouette was published with obvious connotations.
Several Lib Dem councillors dis-owned their colleague's leaflet describing it as 'disgraceful.'
The attack on the Mayor and Labour was wholly unjust as it was Chris Grayling the Tory Transport Minister who scrapped the Metropolitan Line Extension See story
The Lib Dem councillor has earned the nickname Vile-Medhurst
Labour attacks years of 'Liberal Democrat incompetence.'
The Liberal Democrats started building on Watford Fields without consulting residents. Lost £250,000
Cllr Nigel Bell listed the millions of pounds of taxpayers money wasted by the Liberal Democrats whilst running Watford Council. This included
- £1m moving the market
- £1.3m benefits overpayments
- £220,000 on Mayors Office with costs rising every year
- £4.3m on Parade including bridge over pond.
- £540,000 paid out to Henry Boot to get out of Charter Place contract
- £250,000 of section 106 money lost over the Watford Fields fiasco in 2012
- £900,000 under-budgeting in accommodating homeless people.
- £150,000 on consultants on how to save money in 2011
- Hundreds of thousands of pounds more on consultants
'Shocking' Laird speaks and votes against St. Albans Road regeneration
St. Albans Road
The sole Lib Dem councillor in North Watford, Robbie Laird shocked councillors and local residents by speaking out against the proposed regeneration of the St.Albans Road shopping area. Labour had proposed a fully costed and funded £1 million scheme that would have improved the environment and rejuvenated the shopping area. The scheme has the overwhelming support of shopkeepers and residents. But Laird, with the second poorest attendance record of any Watford councillor, towed his party line and voted down the scheme.
North Watford Councillor Sohail Bashir said, "We all love our area and we want to make it even better. I don't understand why Robbie Laird is on the Council if he can't be speak up for residents or even be bothered to attend meetings on their behalf"
North Watford Councillor Sohail Bashir said, "We all love our area and we want to make it even better. I don't understand why Robbie Laird is on the Council if he can't be speak up for residents or even be bothered to attend meetings on their behalf"
"I liked being in bed with the Tories" says Liberal Democrat councillor
Collett liked being in bed with Tories.
During a heated debate on Watford Council's budget, Labour councillors accused the Liberal Democrats of supporting austerity policies based on their party's coalition in government with the Tories. Despite the Liberal Democrats trying to gloss over this shameful period which cost them most of their parliamentary seats, Lib Dem councillor Karen Collett astonished colleagues of all parties by proudly proclaiming, "I liked being in bed with the Tories." Labour's Asif Khan said, "She was saying what we already know that the Liberal Democrats including our Mayor secretly enjoyed their coalition with the Tories."
Watford Lib Dems fail on re-cycling
The Lib Dem Watford Council is sending more not less refuse to landfill. Read more
The strange story of the Lib Dem Leave referendum leaflet and the invisible Liberal Democrat councillors.
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Residents across Watford were surprised to receive a leaflet purporting to be from the Liberal Democrats urging them to vote Leave in the EU Referendum on 23rd June. The leaflet did not have a legal imprint.
A look at their web site www.liberals4britain.org or twitter account reveals that this is indeed a Liberal Democrat organisation, including several Lib Dem councillors from other areas. This is made even more curious by the absence of the vast majority of Watford's 26 Liberal Democrat councillors from the campaign to Remain in the EU. Unlike Labour and the Conservatives, Watford Liberal Democrats failed to run a campaign to stay in the EU and the Mayor made little more than a cameo appearance. With a couple of honourable exceptions, Lib Dem councillors were not to be seen in the Britain Stronger in Europe campaign. Could it be that they were secret Brexiteers? After all someone must have delivered these leaflets. The truth will emerge! |
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Watford Elections Liberal Democrat lies - here are the facts
Its election time again and predictably a forest has to be destroyed to provide enough paper for the Liberal Democrat leaflets that fall like confetti on your doormats. In the Lib Dems desperation to get elected, following last year’s massive rejection by voters, they have resorted to telling lies about Labour. It’s a sign that they regard Labour as a real challenge to their majority of one on Watford Council that they resort to such underhand tactics.
So with a little weariness but with clear determination we are going to put the record straight.
LIB DEM LIE No 1.
Labour doesn’t support our local hospital because we oppose using allotment land for housing.
FACTS
It was Labour MP Claire Ward that secured Watford Hospital’s future rather than moving services to Hemel. And it was Labour that guaranteed the funding to modernisation of Watford Hospital in 2008 - money that the Conservative/Liberal Democrat Coalition government immediately scrapped when they took power in 2010. Since them Labour has continued to campaign for funding whilst our Lib Dem Mayor sits on her hands and does nothing.
Labour does not believe we should be building housing on allotment land. The Hospital Trust Chairman has admitted that using allotment land is not necessary for hospital modernisation.
LIB DEM LIE No.2
Labour left Watford Council in a mess.
FACTS
It’s 14 years since the Liberal Democrats took power. It’s their record that should be under scrutiny.
But in any case Labour did a good job over the 30 years it ran the town before 2002. The Council was debt free and ran services that were in many areas better than the cut back services we have today.
Read Labour's legacy to Watford here.
It was the Liberal Democrats who were elected in 2002 on a false promise to reduce Watford’s Council tax to the Hertfordshire average. 14 years on you pay the highest Council Tax in the County.
LIB DEM LIE No.3
Labour failed to back a Lib Dem budget that would have stopped the bus cuts.
FACTS
It was Labour that led the campaign from the beginning against bus cuts and in particular our petition to save the 142 and 258 bus routes. We didn’t support the Lib Dem proposed budget because we presented our own proposals to the County Council that would have restored bus subsidy. Labour’s budget was fully costed by Council finance staff whereas the Lib Dem budget irresponsibly didn’t balance the books.
So with a little weariness but with clear determination we are going to put the record straight.
LIB DEM LIE No 1.
Labour doesn’t support our local hospital because we oppose using allotment land for housing.
FACTS
It was Labour MP Claire Ward that secured Watford Hospital’s future rather than moving services to Hemel. And it was Labour that guaranteed the funding to modernisation of Watford Hospital in 2008 - money that the Conservative/Liberal Democrat Coalition government immediately scrapped when they took power in 2010. Since them Labour has continued to campaign for funding whilst our Lib Dem Mayor sits on her hands and does nothing.
Labour does not believe we should be building housing on allotment land. The Hospital Trust Chairman has admitted that using allotment land is not necessary for hospital modernisation.
LIB DEM LIE No.2
Labour left Watford Council in a mess.
FACTS
It’s 14 years since the Liberal Democrats took power. It’s their record that should be under scrutiny.
But in any case Labour did a good job over the 30 years it ran the town before 2002. The Council was debt free and ran services that were in many areas better than the cut back services we have today.
Read Labour's legacy to Watford here.
It was the Liberal Democrats who were elected in 2002 on a false promise to reduce Watford’s Council tax to the Hertfordshire average. 14 years on you pay the highest Council Tax in the County.
LIB DEM LIE No.3
Labour failed to back a Lib Dem budget that would have stopped the bus cuts.
FACTS
It was Labour that led the campaign from the beginning against bus cuts and in particular our petition to save the 142 and 258 bus routes. We didn’t support the Lib Dem proposed budget because we presented our own proposals to the County Council that would have restored bus subsidy. Labour’s budget was fully costed by Council finance staff whereas the Lib Dem budget irresponsibly didn’t balance the books.
Cost of Mayor's office rises by 'intolerable' 40%
Nigel Bell "Intolerable"
In 2014/15 the cost of the Mayor’s Office has risen by 40% from £158,000 (2013/14) to £220,190 (2014/15). Labour proposed a reduction to £150,000 at the Watford Council's budget meeting.
Nigel Bell said, “ It is intolerable that the cost of the Mayor’s office is escalating when hard-working people are suffering a cost of living crisis due to this coalition government.”
Nigel Bell said, “ It is intolerable that the cost of the Mayor’s office is escalating when hard-working people are suffering a cost of living crisis due to this coalition government.”
Will Liberal Democrat Mayor Thornhill go down in history as the person who deprived Watford of its market town status?
 Watford market half empty
MARKET TRADERS IN REVOLT
Watford's market traders are in revolt of the disastrous move from Charter Place which has caused them massive losses. And now the Lib Dem Council appointed company that runs the market wants to double the rents. One independent web site is asking the big question. 'Is Dorothy Thornhill going to go down in history as the Mayor that deprived Watford of its Market Town status?' Local resident Mike Haley said, "This is an unmitigated distaster for the town and the traders brought about by a dogmatic Lib Dem Mayor who doesn't listen to local people." Read Mike Haley's letter to the Watford Observer opposite 
Mike Haley "The Lib Dems did not listen"
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Dear Sirs,
A Sad State of Affairs According to the Mayor in last weeks’ WO the severe difficulties now being experienced by Watford Market’s traders in their new location is because the Liberal Democrats tried to please too many people! That is another way of saying “its not our fault… its yours”…”if only you had listened to me…” In fact it is the Liberal Democrat Mayor that has made a complete hash of the market move, which has so far cost us a cool £2miliion. After the triumphal opening with which she could not wait to be associated, it is gradually dawning on here that she got it wrong. The Liberal Democrats were told by Labour councillors that they were moving the market to the wrong place – tucked away behind the old Clements building. The Liberal Democrats did not listen... They were told by Labour councillors that they were moving the market too far away from the main footfall on the high street. The Liberal Democrats did not listen… They were told by Labour councillors that shoving traders into sea containers was unsuitable. The Liberal Democrats did not listen… They were told by Labour councillors that people wouldn’t want to eat their food besides a busy flyover and inhale petrol fumes instead of their steaming coffee. The Liberal Democrats did not listen... Instead of telling us that she was ‘trying to please everyone” and blaming the traders for their predicament, I suggest that she and her fellow Liberal Democrats do begin to listen to the public and the market traders, and take urgent action to rescue the market - else she will be the mayor that will be remembered for the closure of our centuries old market. I am very sorry for both the traders I’ve spoken to whose takings are so little that their livelihoods are on the line and for the general public who have seen our market begin to die on its feet. I hope it is not too late to save the market and I for one will be popping in again over the Easter Weekend to give my support. Changes need to be made says the Mayor. I agree: Her resignation should be the first. Mike Haley Labour Candidate for Central Ward |
Lib Dems spend 40% more on Mayor's office
Labour proposes sensible amendments to Council's annual budget.
Watford Labour Group of Councillors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 28th January 2015
Watford Council Labour Group
Councillor Nigel Bell, Leader of the Labour group of councillors will propose the following amendments to the Liberal Democrat’s budget proposals at tonight’s Watford Council meeting:
Reduce the extra 40% cash spent on the Mayor’s Office.
In 2014/15 the cost of the Mayor’s Office has risen by 40% from £158,000 (2013/14) to £220,190 (2014/15). Many departments have had their budgets slashed, Mayor Thornhill has had an increase.
Labour propose to cut the running costs of this office to £150,000 in 2015/16, £100,000 in 2016/17; this is a saving of £120,190. The Mayor’s office is a luxury we would not miss.
St. Albans Road - £1.5 million to invest.
This proposal earmarks money for the development of St. Albans Road. Labour would work with partners: local businesses; local residents; Herts. County Council; the L.E.P. and work to obtain Section 106 money.
Women’s Centre - £50,000 per annum.
Labour would restore the annual grant to the Women’s Centre. We will strive to protect families and the most vulnerable. This grant will enable the Women’s Centre to focus more on their work rather than continually seeking outside funding.
Weekend Burials.
This is an ongoing issue for people at a very distressing time. The needs of our diverse town are not being met. There have been at least eight burials recently which have had to wait because of historical red tape and work patterns.
Labour proposes to budget £30,000 for weekend burials in order to end the distress of so many families.
Finally……..
We propose: Free removal of graffiti
Free collection of bulky goods
Cut £1680 on mobile phone bills for members of the Cabinet.
We will not borrow a pound nor raise Council Tax by a penny.
Commenting, Nigel Bell said, “These are sensible and affordable changes to the Mayor’s budget. It is intolerable that the cost of the Mayor’s office is escalating when hard-working people are suffering a cost of living crisis due to this coalition government.”
Councillor Asif Khan (Leggatts) said,” The Mayor is more interested in vanity projects in the High Street than boosting local shopping areas like St. Albans Road. The £1.5 million is just one third of the amount that the Mayor spent on the pond area, yet it would give a much-needed fillip to the North Watford traders and residents who live in the area, who have felt the full brunt of the coaltion governement’s austerity programme.”
Councillor Anne Joynes (Leggatts) said, “Cutting the budget for the Women’s Centre was one of the most miserly and dangerous cuts made by the Mayor. For a female Mayor to cut the funds that are used to support the victims of domestic violence is disgraceful. The cut was a bad mistake and it is urgent that the Women’s Centre should be properly funded to undertake this important work.”
Councillor Jagtar Singh Dhindsa (Vicarage) said, “The inability of the Liberal Democrat Council to allow the timely burial of the dead is a blot on our town. Watford is a diverse community in which everyone pays their taxes. The community has a multiplicity of needs - all of which are equally important and should be met.”
Councillor Nasreen Shah, (Vicarage) said, “Since the Liberal Democrats started charging for the removal of bulky collections, there has been an explosion of fly-tipping in the town which the Council then has to pay to clear up. It is a false economy to charge. Labour proposes returning to free collections.”
Councillor Seamus Williams (Callowland) said, “I don’t expect tax payers to pay for my mobile phone and there’s no good reason why Liberal Democrat Cabinet members should run up these huge bills for the taxpayer. They trouser an over-generous allowance already. They should get their noses out of the trough and pay for their phones from their allowances.”
Watford Council Labour Group
Councillor Nigel Bell, Leader of the Labour group of councillors will propose the following amendments to the Liberal Democrat’s budget proposals at tonight’s Watford Council meeting:
Reduce the extra 40% cash spent on the Mayor’s Office.
In 2014/15 the cost of the Mayor’s Office has risen by 40% from £158,000 (2013/14) to £220,190 (2014/15). Many departments have had their budgets slashed, Mayor Thornhill has had an increase.
Labour propose to cut the running costs of this office to £150,000 in 2015/16, £100,000 in 2016/17; this is a saving of £120,190. The Mayor’s office is a luxury we would not miss.
St. Albans Road - £1.5 million to invest.
This proposal earmarks money for the development of St. Albans Road. Labour would work with partners: local businesses; local residents; Herts. County Council; the L.E.P. and work to obtain Section 106 money.
Women’s Centre - £50,000 per annum.
Labour would restore the annual grant to the Women’s Centre. We will strive to protect families and the most vulnerable. This grant will enable the Women’s Centre to focus more on their work rather than continually seeking outside funding.
Weekend Burials.
This is an ongoing issue for people at a very distressing time. The needs of our diverse town are not being met. There have been at least eight burials recently which have had to wait because of historical red tape and work patterns.
Labour proposes to budget £30,000 for weekend burials in order to end the distress of so many families.
Finally……..
We propose: Free removal of graffiti
Free collection of bulky goods
Cut £1680 on mobile phone bills for members of the Cabinet.
We will not borrow a pound nor raise Council Tax by a penny.
Commenting, Nigel Bell said, “These are sensible and affordable changes to the Mayor’s budget. It is intolerable that the cost of the Mayor’s office is escalating when hard-working people are suffering a cost of living crisis due to this coalition government.”
Councillor Asif Khan (Leggatts) said,” The Mayor is more interested in vanity projects in the High Street than boosting local shopping areas like St. Albans Road. The £1.5 million is just one third of the amount that the Mayor spent on the pond area, yet it would give a much-needed fillip to the North Watford traders and residents who live in the area, who have felt the full brunt of the coaltion governement’s austerity programme.”
Councillor Anne Joynes (Leggatts) said, “Cutting the budget for the Women’s Centre was one of the most miserly and dangerous cuts made by the Mayor. For a female Mayor to cut the funds that are used to support the victims of domestic violence is disgraceful. The cut was a bad mistake and it is urgent that the Women’s Centre should be properly funded to undertake this important work.”
Councillor Jagtar Singh Dhindsa (Vicarage) said, “The inability of the Liberal Democrat Council to allow the timely burial of the dead is a blot on our town. Watford is a diverse community in which everyone pays their taxes. The community has a multiplicity of needs - all of which are equally important and should be met.”
Councillor Nasreen Shah, (Vicarage) said, “Since the Liberal Democrats started charging for the removal of bulky collections, there has been an explosion of fly-tipping in the town which the Council then has to pay to clear up. It is a false economy to charge. Labour proposes returning to free collections.”
Councillor Seamus Williams (Callowland) said, “I don’t expect tax payers to pay for my mobile phone and there’s no good reason why Liberal Democrat Cabinet members should run up these huge bills for the taxpayer. They trouser an over-generous allowance already. They should get their noses out of the trough and pay for their phones from their allowances.”
Mayor goes part time in bid to save Lib Dem vote
Thornhill - another broken promise
Dorothy Thornhill has broken yet another promise by putting herself forward as the Lib Dem's Parliamentary Candidate just months after being re-elected as Watford's Mayor for a four year term. Given the Lib Dem position in the opinion polls showing them fourth; her bid is likely to end in dismal failure.
Commenting, Mike Jackson, Chair of Watford Labour Party, in a published letter, wrote:
"MPs should not have two jobs and parliamentary candidates should not expect local taxpayers to fund their campaigning. But this is just what Dorothy Thornhill is planning to do as the adopted Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Watford.
So what are reasonable people supposed to make of her plans? After all she told us in May this year when she ran for Mayor that she wanted to 'complete the job' i.e. do a full four year term. Now she has broken that promise or even worse she may have lied to us in May.
Having been re-elected on a false premise she is now planning to take her full mayoral salary of £65,000 plus pension and allowance add-ons, whilst campaigning to win the parliamentary seat.
Every council tax payer in Watford will now be subsidising her parliamentary election campaign. Her salary is paid for mayoral duties not political campaigning. This will be improper use of public money. She is entitled to run for parliament as Nick Clegg’s candidate – someone has to take on this unenviable task - but not to trouser a fat salary from the taxpayer for doing a different job.
Thornhill said, "It will be business as usual. I already go out and door knock, meet people and attend community events. I won’t be doing anything differently." Does she think we are all stupid? Of course it will be different; she will be politically campaigning to be an MP!
The Liberal Democrats couldn’t win in Watford in 2010 at the height of ‘Clegg Mania’. They’ve been losing popularity ever since. Any talk of them bucking the trend is just fanciful pie-in-the-sky stuff. Watford will be a two-horse race between the Conservatives and Labour.
Dorothy Thornhill has made her choice – bad as it is. Watford has the right to a full time MP and a full time Mayor – with Dorothy Thornhill they will get neither.
She should stand down immediately so we can elect someone totally committed to doing the job of Mayor full time."
Mike Jackson, Chair, Watford Labour Party
Commenting, Mike Jackson, Chair of Watford Labour Party, in a published letter, wrote:
"MPs should not have two jobs and parliamentary candidates should not expect local taxpayers to fund their campaigning. But this is just what Dorothy Thornhill is planning to do as the adopted Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Watford.
So what are reasonable people supposed to make of her plans? After all she told us in May this year when she ran for Mayor that she wanted to 'complete the job' i.e. do a full four year term. Now she has broken that promise or even worse she may have lied to us in May.
Having been re-elected on a false premise she is now planning to take her full mayoral salary of £65,000 plus pension and allowance add-ons, whilst campaigning to win the parliamentary seat.
Every council tax payer in Watford will now be subsidising her parliamentary election campaign. Her salary is paid for mayoral duties not political campaigning. This will be improper use of public money. She is entitled to run for parliament as Nick Clegg’s candidate – someone has to take on this unenviable task - but not to trouser a fat salary from the taxpayer for doing a different job.
Thornhill said, "It will be business as usual. I already go out and door knock, meet people and attend community events. I won’t be doing anything differently." Does she think we are all stupid? Of course it will be different; she will be politically campaigning to be an MP!
The Liberal Democrats couldn’t win in Watford in 2010 at the height of ‘Clegg Mania’. They’ve been losing popularity ever since. Any talk of them bucking the trend is just fanciful pie-in-the-sky stuff. Watford will be a two-horse race between the Conservatives and Labour.
Dorothy Thornhill has made her choice – bad as it is. Watford has the right to a full time MP and a full time Mayor – with Dorothy Thornhill they will get neither.
She should stand down immediately so we can elect someone totally committed to doing the job of Mayor full time."
Mike Jackson, Chair, Watford Labour Party
Mayor in 'Carry on up your allotments' farce
Watford's Lib Dem Mayor, perhaps with a post election career in mind, says she intends to carry on regardless. Responding that to the news that the High Court had given the Farm Terrace allotment holders leave to challenge her decision to build houses on their vegetable patches, Thornhill told the Watford Observer, "we will carry on one way or another".
The Farm Terrace campaigners are preparing for a full court hearing later this summer. The case will be heard in the Royal Courts of Justice by a full time High Court judge. As the hospital rebuilding programme becomes an even more distant prospect, Labour has accused the Mayor of only being interested in making profits from a private property development on the allotment site, rather than lobbying the government for money to modernise Watford General.
Meanwhile Thornhill is busy updating her CV with transferable skills for her post mayoral career.
Will it be script writing for a new generation of 'Carry On' farces or will it be re-recording a new version of the famous Blondie/New Direction hit 'One way or another'?
Quiz Who sang 'One way or another' on the Muppet Show?
A) Blondie
b) New Direction
c) Thornhill
Answer here
The Farm Terrace campaigners are preparing for a full court hearing later this summer. The case will be heard in the Royal Courts of Justice by a full time High Court judge. As the hospital rebuilding programme becomes an even more distant prospect, Labour has accused the Mayor of only being interested in making profits from a private property development on the allotment site, rather than lobbying the government for money to modernise Watford General.
Meanwhile Thornhill is busy updating her CV with transferable skills for her post mayoral career.
Will it be script writing for a new generation of 'Carry On' farces or will it be re-recording a new version of the famous Blondie/New Direction hit 'One way or another'?
Quiz Who sang 'One way or another' on the Muppet Show?
A) Blondie
b) New Direction
c) Thornhill
Answer here
Nigel Bell attacks mayor's priorities during Council's budget debate
Nigel Bell
In his opening remarks, responding to the Lib Dem Mayor's budget speech in February, Labour Leader, Cllr Nigel Bell said, "This is a complacent budget from a self satisfied mayor". He attacked the Mayor for failing to stand up for Watford, pointing to the £5 million removed from the Council's budget since 2010 as a result of Conservative/Lib Dem coalition government cuts which had let to increased charges for services, cuts in roadsweepers and redundancies.
Nigel highlighted the loss of £250,000 on Watford Fields, the £500,000 spent on consultants, the £4.5 million project that included a bridge over the Pond and the £1.3million in overpaid benefits as examples of Liberal Democrat mis-management of the public's finances.
He said, "Whilst all this is going on St Albans Road is crying out for regeneration for the past 12 years since the mayor was elected".
Jagtar Singh Dhindsa, Labour mayoral candidate in May said, " The Mayor rejected a reasonable proposal by Labour to re-direct money for a fully costed project to regenerate St. Albans Road. Instead she spends millions on a vanity project to put a bridge over the pond. I haven't met one person who thinks this is money well spent. It's time for her to go."
Nigel highlighted the loss of £250,000 on Watford Fields, the £500,000 spent on consultants, the £4.5 million project that included a bridge over the Pond and the £1.3million in overpaid benefits as examples of Liberal Democrat mis-management of the public's finances.
He said, "Whilst all this is going on St Albans Road is crying out for regeneration for the past 12 years since the mayor was elected".
Jagtar Singh Dhindsa, Labour mayoral candidate in May said, " The Mayor rejected a reasonable proposal by Labour to re-direct money for a fully costed project to regenerate St. Albans Road. Instead she spends millions on a vanity project to put a bridge over the pond. I haven't met one person who thinks this is money well spent. It's time for her to go."
New Questions to the Liberal Democrats on their benefits chaos
Letter published in the Watford Observer
Dear Sir
Having been caught red-handed presiding over the financial mess at Watford council, which has seen overpayment of benefits to the tune of £1.3million last year alone, what does Councillor Mark Watkin, the man the Mayor charged with looking after the money have to say about this costly mess ? (‘Resign?No that’s out of the question’, Letters 29 November 2013)
Does he apologise, no – not a bit of it. Does he resign over lax financial practices which saw the Lib Dem-run council dish out £386,000 in error due to its own inefficiency, no – certainly not!
No, he washes his hands of all responsibility for the financial fiasco at the rotten heart of Town Hall and lamely writes to the Watford Observer saying ‘not me gov!”
On Thursday last week, Labour councillors tackled the Lib Dem administration asking just how many local people had been affected by their errors. We asked how many hard-pressed families had been forced into debt as a result of these overpayments. Incredibly they couldn’t tell us - they didn’t have a clue. Is there no limit to the Liberal Democrats’ incompetence?
Councillor Watkin gets paid a special responsibility allowance to count and account for the council’s cash. That’s money paid for out of the council tax to guard the council tax. It seems this is money down the drain too.
Christmas is coming and the goose maybe getting fat in the Watkin household but for hundreds if not thousands of Watford people on low incomes now faced with repayment bills through his incompetence, things will be bleak in their house.
The Liberal Democrats from Mayor Thornhill do have some questions to answer:
· Do the Liberal Democrats admit that £386,000 last year was overpaid due to mistakes made at the Town Hall? Yes or no will do.
· As he claims to be “proud” of “progress” that he claims is being made in trying to recoup the “Mayor’s missing million” will he admit that seems an odd thing to say when in fact overpayments last year were in fact higher than the previous year?
· Can Councillor Watkin tell us how many people have been overpaid as a direct result of the Liberal Democrats’ laxity at the Town Hall and if not why not?
· Will he find out the numbers of families who, through no fault of their own, have been forced into debt because of the council’s incompetence or doesn’t he care?
· Is he willing or unwilling to let council taxpayers’ know just how much it is costing to reclaim the money they have simply let walk out the door. Surely he must know that, but I wouldn’t put too much money on that given his financial track record.
What’s going on at the Town Hall is a scandal of monumental proportions. The Mayor who appointed him and Councillor Watkin are equally culpable. The financial blundering has been going on for years and they should take full responsibility and resign.
Yours faithfully,
Councillor Jagtar Singh Dhindsa
Vicarage Ward, Watford Borough Council and Labour Party Mayoral Candidate.
Dear Sir
Having been caught red-handed presiding over the financial mess at Watford council, which has seen overpayment of benefits to the tune of £1.3million last year alone, what does Councillor Mark Watkin, the man the Mayor charged with looking after the money have to say about this costly mess ? (‘Resign?No that’s out of the question’, Letters 29 November 2013)
Does he apologise, no – not a bit of it. Does he resign over lax financial practices which saw the Lib Dem-run council dish out £386,000 in error due to its own inefficiency, no – certainly not!
No, he washes his hands of all responsibility for the financial fiasco at the rotten heart of Town Hall and lamely writes to the Watford Observer saying ‘not me gov!”
On Thursday last week, Labour councillors tackled the Lib Dem administration asking just how many local people had been affected by their errors. We asked how many hard-pressed families had been forced into debt as a result of these overpayments. Incredibly they couldn’t tell us - they didn’t have a clue. Is there no limit to the Liberal Democrats’ incompetence?
Councillor Watkin gets paid a special responsibility allowance to count and account for the council’s cash. That’s money paid for out of the council tax to guard the council tax. It seems this is money down the drain too.
Christmas is coming and the goose maybe getting fat in the Watkin household but for hundreds if not thousands of Watford people on low incomes now faced with repayment bills through his incompetence, things will be bleak in their house.
The Liberal Democrats from Mayor Thornhill do have some questions to answer:
· Do the Liberal Democrats admit that £386,000 last year was overpaid due to mistakes made at the Town Hall? Yes or no will do.
· As he claims to be “proud” of “progress” that he claims is being made in trying to recoup the “Mayor’s missing million” will he admit that seems an odd thing to say when in fact overpayments last year were in fact higher than the previous year?
· Can Councillor Watkin tell us how many people have been overpaid as a direct result of the Liberal Democrats’ laxity at the Town Hall and if not why not?
· Will he find out the numbers of families who, through no fault of their own, have been forced into debt because of the council’s incompetence or doesn’t he care?
· Is he willing or unwilling to let council taxpayers’ know just how much it is costing to reclaim the money they have simply let walk out the door. Surely he must know that, but I wouldn’t put too much money on that given his financial track record.
What’s going on at the Town Hall is a scandal of monumental proportions. The Mayor who appointed him and Councillor Watkin are equally culpable. The financial blundering has been going on for years and they should take full responsibility and resign.
Yours faithfully,
Councillor Jagtar Singh Dhindsa
Vicarage Ward, Watford Borough Council and Labour Party Mayoral Candidate.
Lib Dems privatise Watford services
Workers protest at sell off of services
Members of the town hall trade union UNISON and supporters of Palestinian rights joined forces to protest at the decision of the Mayor and Liberal Democrats to hand over public services to multi-national company Veiola. Read more
Lib Dems forced to concede on the 'Living wage' in privatisation plans
Labour Councillors scored an important victory in ensuring that the private contractor taking over Watford Council's services will pay at least the Living wage of £7.45 per hour to all its workers. Read more
MAYOR’S MISSING MILLION - OPEN LETTER TO THE WATFORD OBSERVER
Cllr Jagtar Singh Dhindsa
"The scandal surrounding the amount of overpayment of benefits going on in Watford is only matched by the blasé attitude of Liberal Democrat Councillor Mark Watkin’s defence of it and the deafening silence of Mayor Thornhill on the matter.
Last year alone, a staggering £1.3 million was overpaid in Housing Benefit, some £386,176 of which the Lib Dem-run council has been forced to admit was incorrectly paid out due to their incompetence and error.
None of this seems to worry the Lib Dems in the slightest. No, instead, its all par for the course they say.
Well that’s not a view that I believe local council tax payers, who end up funding the gap between income and expenditure take. Let’s not forget, that despite Mayor Thornhill promising to reduce the council tax here to the county average, she has done no such thing. The Lib Dems still charge the highest council tax in the county, perhaps this is one of the reasons why!
More sensible Lib Dems such as Councillor Rabi Martins, as reported in the Watford Observer of 13 September, agree with my concerns that the situation is a complete mess and that the council has been failing for years. He and I believe the Lib Dem-run council’s record is “unacceptable”.
Councillor Watkin is a busy man with his three jobs, Watford Councillor, County Councillor and Cabinet member paying a nice little earner of almost £32,500 a year. His mate, Mayor Thornhill is in overall charge on a whopping £65,738 a year. It is clear that they are both so busy raking in the cash they can’t see it simply walking out the door.
Instead of writing complacent and misleading letters to the cover up the financial black hole that has been created by their shocking performance, Liberal Democrat Mayor Thornhill and Councillor Watkin should join the Head of Benefits and Revenues and the Manager of the Revenues Department and resign too.
The Mayor’s missing £1.3 milllion shames her and her party. She should apologise to Watford residents on her way out."
Councillor Jagtar Singh Dhindsa
Vicarage Ward and Watford Labour Party Mayoral Candidate
Last year alone, a staggering £1.3 million was overpaid in Housing Benefit, some £386,176 of which the Lib Dem-run council has been forced to admit was incorrectly paid out due to their incompetence and error.
None of this seems to worry the Lib Dems in the slightest. No, instead, its all par for the course they say.
Well that’s not a view that I believe local council tax payers, who end up funding the gap between income and expenditure take. Let’s not forget, that despite Mayor Thornhill promising to reduce the council tax here to the county average, she has done no such thing. The Lib Dems still charge the highest council tax in the county, perhaps this is one of the reasons why!
More sensible Lib Dems such as Councillor Rabi Martins, as reported in the Watford Observer of 13 September, agree with my concerns that the situation is a complete mess and that the council has been failing for years. He and I believe the Lib Dem-run council’s record is “unacceptable”.
Councillor Watkin is a busy man with his three jobs, Watford Councillor, County Councillor and Cabinet member paying a nice little earner of almost £32,500 a year. His mate, Mayor Thornhill is in overall charge on a whopping £65,738 a year. It is clear that they are both so busy raking in the cash they can’t see it simply walking out the door.
Instead of writing complacent and misleading letters to the cover up the financial black hole that has been created by their shocking performance, Liberal Democrat Mayor Thornhill and Councillor Watkin should join the Head of Benefits and Revenues and the Manager of the Revenues Department and resign too.
The Mayor’s missing £1.3 milllion shames her and her party. She should apologise to Watford residents on her way out."
Councillor Jagtar Singh Dhindsa
Vicarage Ward and Watford Labour Party Mayoral Candidate
EXPOSED! - Watford Liberal Democrats are 'costing us the earth'
The Lib Dems want to hand over these allotments to developers
'Cock-ups' and incompetency by Watford’s town hall Liberal Democrats in dealing with developers are costing local taxpayers £ hundreds of thousands of their hard earned cash as well as threatening their local green spaces.
The Mayor Dorothy Thornhill is refusing to reveal just how much compensation the council has paid to developer Henry Boot for its dithering over the refurbishment of Charter Place. But the Watford Observer (Friday 20th July 2012) has reported the figure as being up to £500,000. Labour’s Leader Nigel Bell is pressing for the figure to be revealed. “This is beginning to feel like a cover-up”, said Nigel. “They are spending public money and the public has a right to know. They are trying to keep it secret for political reasons to hide their incompetence.”
This loss of half a million pounds comes only two months after the loss of £250,000 to the taxpayer over the botched attempt to build on Watford Fields. The Council had negotiated a quarter of a million pound contribution from a developer towards new changing rooms to be built on the green space of Watford Fields. However, as the bulldozers starting shifting earth, local residents rose in anger.
The Central ward Lib Dem Councillors had failed to consult residents. Even worse, The Chair of the Council’s planning committee. Rabi Martins a local Lib Dem councillor had not thought it necessary to tell residents – and he was up for re-election on the 3rd May. A red-faced Mayor was forced to scrap the scheme to save her local councillor – but in the process lost the contribution. The developer is £200,000 the richer.
Nigel Bell commented, “We can have no confidence in the Lib Dems in their negotiations with the Watford Health Campus developers. The Mayor is being pressed by the developers into giving up the community’s Farm Terrace allotments. The allotments are Council owned so by doing a deal to build private housing on this land the Council maybe expecting a financial windfall. But at what cost to the environment and the community in West Watford?”
The Mayor in her naivety claimed to a public meeting that the developers would not be making a profit out of the housing development. “Can anyone imagine a developer building some 600 new residential units and planning not to make a profit?” said Nigel Bell.
The Lib Dems are now proposing to build a road across Oxhey Park to service the new development. The Lib Dem Group Leader Iain Sharpe (husband of the Mayor) had previously gone on record as saying that a road across the park would be built “over my dead body”, but as the cash register starting ringing his tune changed. Labour has estimated that the developers would expect to generate £30 million of profit from the private housing.
If the Lib Dems are prepared to concrete over a large part of Oxhey Park and Farm Terrace allotments, what hope is there for the green spaces elsewhere in the Borough? What hope for the Greens in Woodside and Meriden? Will amenity space in Holywell, Stanborough and Leggatts be sold off to housing developers? And how can the Council control private development when it ignores its own District Plan?
“The Lib Dems are ‘lambs to the slaughter’ when negotiating with private developers”, said Nigel. “The problem is that these developments are literally costing us all the earth”.
The Mayor Dorothy Thornhill is refusing to reveal just how much compensation the council has paid to developer Henry Boot for its dithering over the refurbishment of Charter Place. But the Watford Observer (Friday 20th July 2012) has reported the figure as being up to £500,000. Labour’s Leader Nigel Bell is pressing for the figure to be revealed. “This is beginning to feel like a cover-up”, said Nigel. “They are spending public money and the public has a right to know. They are trying to keep it secret for political reasons to hide their incompetence.”
This loss of half a million pounds comes only two months after the loss of £250,000 to the taxpayer over the botched attempt to build on Watford Fields. The Council had negotiated a quarter of a million pound contribution from a developer towards new changing rooms to be built on the green space of Watford Fields. However, as the bulldozers starting shifting earth, local residents rose in anger.
The Central ward Lib Dem Councillors had failed to consult residents. Even worse, The Chair of the Council’s planning committee. Rabi Martins a local Lib Dem councillor had not thought it necessary to tell residents – and he was up for re-election on the 3rd May. A red-faced Mayor was forced to scrap the scheme to save her local councillor – but in the process lost the contribution. The developer is £200,000 the richer.
Nigel Bell commented, “We can have no confidence in the Lib Dems in their negotiations with the Watford Health Campus developers. The Mayor is being pressed by the developers into giving up the community’s Farm Terrace allotments. The allotments are Council owned so by doing a deal to build private housing on this land the Council maybe expecting a financial windfall. But at what cost to the environment and the community in West Watford?”
The Mayor in her naivety claimed to a public meeting that the developers would not be making a profit out of the housing development. “Can anyone imagine a developer building some 600 new residential units and planning not to make a profit?” said Nigel Bell.
The Lib Dems are now proposing to build a road across Oxhey Park to service the new development. The Lib Dem Group Leader Iain Sharpe (husband of the Mayor) had previously gone on record as saying that a road across the park would be built “over my dead body”, but as the cash register starting ringing his tune changed. Labour has estimated that the developers would expect to generate £30 million of profit from the private housing.
If the Lib Dems are prepared to concrete over a large part of Oxhey Park and Farm Terrace allotments, what hope is there for the green spaces elsewhere in the Borough? What hope for the Greens in Woodside and Meriden? Will amenity space in Holywell, Stanborough and Leggatts be sold off to housing developers? And how can the Council control private development when it ignores its own District Plan?
“The Lib Dems are ‘lambs to the slaughter’ when negotiating with private developers”, said Nigel. “The problem is that these developments are literally costing us all the earth”.
Secret pay-off cost revealed
Lib Dems paid £540,000 to Henry Boot
Despite desperate efforts by the ruling Lib Dems to keep it secret, the Watford Observer has revealed that the Council handed over £540,000 of taxpayer's money to Henry Boot in compensation for the Council's dithering over the refurbishment of Charter Place shopping centre. The Council had signed a confidentiality agreement with Henry Boot to try and save themselves from political embarrassment at their waste of public money. Read more
Proposal to check on the impact of benefit cuts voted down by Lib Dem Councillors
A motion that expressed concern at the impact of benefit cuts and tax changes on Watford's poorest and that asked the Council to conduct an audit on how local people were faring, was voted down by Liberal Democrat Councillors at the full Council meeting on the 5th December. Moving the motion Cllr Matt Turmaine said, ""Don't cut benefits, you penalise the people at the bottom unfairly. The recession was not caused by the people at the bottom. These cuts will not get people into work, they will make them suffer."
The councillor called for an audit into the impact on the people of Watford to be carried out, and a letter sent to the Secretary of State.
The full motion that was proposed by Labour and defeated by Lib Dem councillors read as follows:
'The council notes that policies enacted by the Liberal Democrat and Conservative Coalition government such as;
1. The introduction to new disability assessment regime – has led to unfair decisions with many cases being successfully appealed, causing increased bureaucratic cost and unnecessary distress for disabled people.
2. The changes to housing benefit will force many families into perverse choices as the policy director of the Chartered Institute of Housing states “People will be forced to choose between buying food, paying rent or taking on unaffordable credit.”
3. The introduction of the bedroom tax will lead to many stable households being disrupted and financially penalised due to the cuts of up-to 25%
4. The arbitrary benefits cap will mean an influx of people coming into Watford from London Boroughs where rents are much higher than in Watford.
5. Cut to child benefit negatively impacting on hard working families with children.
The council notes that this will have a devastating impact on the already stretched finances of the most needy within Watford.
The council notes that work is better than being stuck on benefits but these changes are not fair.
The council also has concerns of the introduction of service charges introduced by the Watford Housing Trust meaning that residents will pay up-to £624 per annum, which will have a negative impact on residents of social housing.
The council believes that these changes introduced by the coalition government have resulted in the poorest paying for a financial crisis created by bankers and the Coalition’s failed austerity economic policy.
We call on the Council to undertake a social and economic audit on the impact of these policies on the residents of Watford.
We call on the Mayor to write to the Secretary of State for Works and Pensions and the Deputy Prime Minister condemning the changes being introduced and to call for changes which will make them fairer.'
The councillor called for an audit into the impact on the people of Watford to be carried out, and a letter sent to the Secretary of State.
The full motion that was proposed by Labour and defeated by Lib Dem councillors read as follows:
'The council notes that policies enacted by the Liberal Democrat and Conservative Coalition government such as;
1. The introduction to new disability assessment regime – has led to unfair decisions with many cases being successfully appealed, causing increased bureaucratic cost and unnecessary distress for disabled people.
2. The changes to housing benefit will force many families into perverse choices as the policy director of the Chartered Institute of Housing states “People will be forced to choose between buying food, paying rent or taking on unaffordable credit.”
3. The introduction of the bedroom tax will lead to many stable households being disrupted and financially penalised due to the cuts of up-to 25%
4. The arbitrary benefits cap will mean an influx of people coming into Watford from London Boroughs where rents are much higher than in Watford.
5. Cut to child benefit negatively impacting on hard working families with children.
The council notes that this will have a devastating impact on the already stretched finances of the most needy within Watford.
The council notes that work is better than being stuck on benefits but these changes are not fair.
The council also has concerns of the introduction of service charges introduced by the Watford Housing Trust meaning that residents will pay up-to £624 per annum, which will have a negative impact on residents of social housing.
The council believes that these changes introduced by the coalition government have resulted in the poorest paying for a financial crisis created by bankers and the Coalition’s failed austerity economic policy.
We call on the Council to undertake a social and economic audit on the impact of these policies on the residents of Watford.
We call on the Mayor to write to the Secretary of State for Works and Pensions and the Deputy Prime Minister condemning the changes being introduced and to call for changes which will make them fairer.'
Lib Dem candidate forced to 'confess' real address
Candidate's car parked at home in Bushey
Just who told the young Liberal Democrat candidate it would be a good idea to say she lived in Central Ward when in fact she lived in Bushey?
All of the Lib Dem leaflets in the recent by-election described her as the 'local' candidate. She wrote in her leaflets "I am proud of living in Central Watford" . She even said the same to the Watford Observer which in good faith printed this deception.
But in the end the truth came out. An eagle-eyed resident spotted that she was driving from her cafe in Queens Road to and from and address in Bushey every day. A 30 second check on the house sales web site revealed that she had sold her house in Shaftsbury Road almost 6 months earlier. And the electoral register for Hertsmere showed that she had been registered to vote at the Bushey address in August.
It would not have been a big deal to have given her real address but of course then should could not have declared her undying love for Central Watford. Sadly the Liberal Democrats got away with this deception and won the Central Ward by-election by a mere 166 votes. But will the electorate trust them next time?
All of the Lib Dem leaflets in the recent by-election described her as the 'local' candidate. She wrote in her leaflets "I am proud of living in Central Watford" . She even said the same to the Watford Observer which in good faith printed this deception.
But in the end the truth came out. An eagle-eyed resident spotted that she was driving from her cafe in Queens Road to and from and address in Bushey every day. A 30 second check on the house sales web site revealed that she had sold her house in Shaftsbury Road almost 6 months earlier. And the electoral register for Hertsmere showed that she had been registered to vote at the Bushey address in August.
It would not have been a big deal to have given her real address but of course then should could not have declared her undying love for Central Watford. Sadly the Liberal Democrats got away with this deception and won the Central Ward by-election by a mere 166 votes. But will the electorate trust them next time?
Election Day 'confession'
Even on election day the Lib Dems attempted to mislead voters by saying she had only 'recently' sold her house in Shaftsbury Road and implying the address in Bushey was temporary - when in fact she had lived there for months - and still does.
Campaign leaflet deception
'Proud of living in Central Watford' was of course a downright lie!
Watford Liberal Democrats fail to met re-cycling targets
Figures not included in Liberal Democrat newsletters reveal how Watford Council is failing to reduce waste going to Landfill. For the last full year ending 31 March 2012, 18,821 tonnes of waste went to landfill an increase of over 200 tonnes on the previous year. The amount of recycled materials collected fell from 17.4% to 16.7%. This is very disappointing as all parties at national level support the targets set by the last Labour Government - that 50% of waste should be recycled.
Yearly recycling rates from www.watford.gov.uk
Yearly recycling rates from www.watford.gov.uk
Watford Fields - 'a story of utter incompetence'
11th hour decision by the Mayor
Watford Council has officially abandoned plans to build new football changing rooms at Watford Fields following protests from local residents. A quarter of million pounds has been lost to the taxpayers as a result.
The Council had sold the former Watford Springs site to Taylor Wimpey; approved the plans, decided what planning gain to ask for - New Changing Rooms at Watford Fields & the amount required £250,000.
TheLib Dem Council had then agreed
- to exchange the cash payment in exchange for the developer to build their facility
- to the location of the changing rooms as owner of the fields.
- to approve a seperate planning application just last year.
And despite the fact that there are 3 Lib Dem councillors for the area (one of which chairs the planning committee) they were unable to consult local residents correctly from the day of the original application.
Taylor Wimpey claims to have wasted £86,000 on preparatory work - The council has no changing room or the £250,000. Taylor Wimpey have all the profit they made on the housing development plus £164,000 more in the bank than they thought when asking for the original planning permission some Four+ years ago!
Mike Jackson, Chair of Watford Labour Party said:
"This is a scandal. It is not just that the Council has sacrificed a quarter of a million pounds through utter incompetence but the footballers are without an on-site changing room which will now have to be provided at a cost to us the taxpayer in another location.
"For Lib Dem Leader Ian Sharpe to blame Officers in the planning and parks departments is reprehensible. It is the Mayor and the Lib Dems who run Watford Council and it is they who should take responsibility. Lets be clear. The three Lib Dem councillors for the area failed to consult Watford Fields residents.
"The scheme was abandoned at the 11th hour by the Mayor in a blatantly political decision to save the skin of the local Lib Dem councillor who is Chair of the planning committee and who was up for re-election on 3rd May.
"We as Watford Council Tax payers have lost £250,000 as a result of this incompetence with more costs potentialy in the pipeline. Who in the political administration at the town hall is going to do the decent thing and take responsibility and resign?"
The Council had sold the former Watford Springs site to Taylor Wimpey; approved the plans, decided what planning gain to ask for - New Changing Rooms at Watford Fields & the amount required £250,000.
TheLib Dem Council had then agreed
- to exchange the cash payment in exchange for the developer to build their facility
- to the location of the changing rooms as owner of the fields.
- to approve a seperate planning application just last year.
And despite the fact that there are 3 Lib Dem councillors for the area (one of which chairs the planning committee) they were unable to consult local residents correctly from the day of the original application.
Taylor Wimpey claims to have wasted £86,000 on preparatory work - The council has no changing room or the £250,000. Taylor Wimpey have all the profit they made on the housing development plus £164,000 more in the bank than they thought when asking for the original planning permission some Four+ years ago!
Mike Jackson, Chair of Watford Labour Party said:
"This is a scandal. It is not just that the Council has sacrificed a quarter of a million pounds through utter incompetence but the footballers are without an on-site changing room which will now have to be provided at a cost to us the taxpayer in another location.
"For Lib Dem Leader Ian Sharpe to blame Officers in the planning and parks departments is reprehensible. It is the Mayor and the Lib Dems who run Watford Council and it is they who should take responsibility. Lets be clear. The three Lib Dem councillors for the area failed to consult Watford Fields residents.
"The scheme was abandoned at the 11th hour by the Mayor in a blatantly political decision to save the skin of the local Lib Dem councillor who is Chair of the planning committee and who was up for re-election on 3rd May.
"We as Watford Council Tax payers have lost £250,000 as a result of this incompetence with more costs potentialy in the pipeline. Who in the political administration at the town hall is going to do the decent thing and take responsibility and resign?"
Residents' fury at Rabi Martins as he keeps them in dark
It's appalling says Fred Grindrod
Residents in Watford Fields are up in arms over the Lib Dem Council's building on their protected green space without any consultation. More shocking revelations have now emerged.
The Mayor has held a secret meeting with residents from which the Press were barred, to try and limit the political damage to her Party. She has now been forced to suspend the building work at no doubt a big cost to the Council taxpayers.
Now it has emerged that the planning permission for his building was agreed the Lib Dem Council and that the planning committee is chaired by no other than Councillor Rabi Martins. Martins who kept the decision secret and who failed to even tell let alone consult local residents on this development, was the Lib Dem candidate for Central Ward in the local elections on 3rd May.
Labour's Fred Grindrod said, "It's appalling that the residents have been kept in the dark by the very councillor who should have been looking out for their interests. I agree with them that building work should be suspended. I promise residents that if I am elected instead of Martins on 3rd May I will never let them down"
The Mayor has held a secret meeting with residents from which the Press were barred, to try and limit the political damage to her Party. She has now been forced to suspend the building work at no doubt a big cost to the Council taxpayers.
Now it has emerged that the planning permission for his building was agreed the Lib Dem Council and that the planning committee is chaired by no other than Councillor Rabi Martins. Martins who kept the decision secret and who failed to even tell let alone consult local residents on this development, was the Lib Dem candidate for Central Ward in the local elections on 3rd May.
Labour's Fred Grindrod said, "It's appalling that the residents have been kept in the dark by the very councillor who should have been looking out for their interests. I agree with them that building work should be suspended. I promise residents that if I am elected instead of Martins on 3rd May I will never let them down"
Mayor Thornhill hates elections - in her own words!
On Thursday 22nd March, Dorothy Thornhill posted the following comments on her blog. Within hours she had taken them down - but not before a watchful resident had copied them. She supported the new tax on pensioners, she supported the government's plans to privatise chunks of the NHS - and she hates elections. No wonder she took it down.
This is what she said
Mayor's blog 22/03/12
"Is it any wonder the average person is turned off politics! We never ever get chance to debate issues properly before the media puts its spin on things and quite frankly often misleads and does not inform. Interviews are composed of tribal ranting from all parties, contradictions, claim and counterclaim. How do we know who or what to believe? It is such a turn off. Take the so called “Granny tax”. When I heard the commentary and saw the headlines I was horrified and thought what have we done? Surely not? But when I looked into it and what it actually is – it’s a freeze, i.e. no change to personal allowances and relates only to private income pensioners receive. As must have already been said why should Lord Sugar have a higher personal allowance than his cleaner!!
Same over the Health Bill grossly misrepresented and polarised into a useless debate based on emotive ideologies rather than how do we fix a crumbling NHS that is going to be under even more pressure in the future. I am sure we could start a list… For me, from the Budget day to Election day I feel most frustrated and demoralised as a politician. Roll on May 4th."
This is what she said
Mayor's blog 22/03/12
"Is it any wonder the average person is turned off politics! We never ever get chance to debate issues properly before the media puts its spin on things and quite frankly often misleads and does not inform. Interviews are composed of tribal ranting from all parties, contradictions, claim and counterclaim. How do we know who or what to believe? It is such a turn off. Take the so called “Granny tax”. When I heard the commentary and saw the headlines I was horrified and thought what have we done? Surely not? But when I looked into it and what it actually is – it’s a freeze, i.e. no change to personal allowances and relates only to private income pensioners receive. As must have already been said why should Lord Sugar have a higher personal allowance than his cleaner!!
Same over the Health Bill grossly misrepresented and polarised into a useless debate based on emotive ideologies rather than how do we fix a crumbling NHS that is going to be under even more pressure in the future. I am sure we could start a list… For me, from the Budget day to Election day I feel most frustrated and demoralised as a politician. Roll on May 4th."
Clegg booed by students on 'political' visit to College
pic courtesy Daily Mail
Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg was spontaneously booed by students on a visit to Watford College on Thursday 1st March. Accompanied by Lib Dem Mayor Dorothy Thornhill and failed Lib Dem candidate Sal Brinton, Nick Clegg toured the new college and experienced the obvious anger of students at his support for increased tuition fees and the Coalition Government's abolition of the Educational Maintenence Allowance (EMA). College student Seamus Williams said, "He's got a cheek praising the new college that was built under a Labour government whilst he is undermining the NHS and supporting cuts that hurt young people."
Mike Jackson, Chair of Watford Labour Party said: I am concerned that the College Principal had allowed a blatantly Lib Dem political stunt just two months from local elections. Why else would Thornhill and Brinton be there? She banned Labour students in Fresher's week on the grounds that the college was non-political but then agreed to this!"
The visit has provoked much criticism on the Watford Observer web site.
Mike Jackson, Chair of Watford Labour Party said: I am concerned that the College Principal had allowed a blatantly Lib Dem political stunt just two months from local elections. Why else would Thornhill and Brinton be there? She banned Labour students in Fresher's week on the grounds that the college was non-political but then agreed to this!"
The visit has provoked much criticism on the Watford Observer web site.
Watford Liberal Democrats support Tory NHS Bill
Sign Save the NHS petition click above
Prominent Liberal Democrat Councillor Rabi Martins (Central Ward) has written to the Watford Observer (17th February 2012) supporting Tory Andrew Lansley's highly damaging NHS Bill. In his letter, the Tory-leaning Councillor wrote; '...the coalition government was right to bring forward a Bill...' He went onto justify his support by claiming credit for amending the Bill even though most commentators have said it simply makes it even more of a dog's breakfast. Ironically the support by Watford Liberal Democrats is in contrast to their national colleagues who are increasingly calling for the Bill to be dropped. 98% of GPs have called for the Bill to be dropped claiming it will damage the NHS. The Bill is also opposed by the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Nursing. All of the Royal Colleges have expressed their concern but yet the Liberal Democrats continue to support the Tories who the public say can never be trusted with the NHS.
Lib Dems in U-turn over parking charges
Watford Town Hall Liberal Democrats were forced into an embarrassing U-turn on 11th January when Councillors voted against a plan to increase parking permit charges by a bumper 50%. Faced with an uprising of anger from residents in Central and West Watford and strong opposition from Labour councillors, the Lib Dems were forced into reverse on their plans to penalise car-owning residents . Lib Dem Councillor Shirena Counter (from Oxhey ward where there are no charges for parking) said “I think £20 a year is a very small amount, if you run a car you can afford to pay £30 on top of that.” Read more here
Lib Dem candidate forced to stand down
'abused' his position as chair of residents' group
Lab Cllr Asif Khan
North Watford Liberal Democrat candidate Dennis Wharton has neen forced to stand down as Chairman of Callowlands Community Group - a body funded by Watford Community Housing Trust. Mr Wharton had penned a letter to the Watford Observer attacking Labour and signing it in the name of the community group. The Housing Trust adjudged that Mr Wharton had broken the constitution and abused his position as Chair and therefore asked him to stand down.
Leggatts councillor Asif Khan said: "This group is funded by the taxpayer and Mr Wharton was using it to make a political attack for his personal advantage. This is an abuse of his position." Meanwhile Lib Dem Mayor Thornhill defended Mr Wharton saying, "He was only being honest". Cllr Khan commented, "Perhaps the Mayor is feeling rather sensitive on this issue since she is funding a political advisor out of taxpayers money!"
Leggatts councillor Asif Khan said: "This group is funded by the taxpayer and Mr Wharton was using it to make a political attack for his personal advantage. This is an abuse of his position." Meanwhile Lib Dem Mayor Thornhill defended Mr Wharton saying, "He was only being honest". Cllr Khan commented, "Perhaps the Mayor is feeling rather sensitive on this issue since she is funding a political advisor out of taxpayers money!"
Lib Dem Giles-Medhurst wants 11pm street light curfew
Giles-Medhurst in happier times as a customs officer.
Lib Dem County Councillor Giles-Medhurst seems to be getting a real taste for the Tory/Lib Dem Coalition policy of cutting public services. Not satisfied with the cut that means Watford's street lights are going to be turned off at night - he argued for an even earlier return to war-time curfew conditions. Speaking at the meeting of Herts County Council he claimed that people are in their beds by 11pm and suggested that their lights be turned off accordingly.
photo courtesy of the Herts & Essex Observer
photo courtesy of the Herts & Essex Observer
Rabi Martins backs down over charges for disabled bays
Watford Observer reports Martins' support
Central Ward Lib Dem Councillor Rabi Martins has backed down over his support for charging disabled people £150 for having the road painted 'Disabled' outside their homes. He said: "I don't think it right to assume that because people are disabled they can't afford to pay".
But the Lib Dem Councillors on the budget panel were split and Rabi Martins lost the vote. Later he withdrew his comments.
But the Lib Dem Councillors on the budget panel were split and Rabi Martins lost the vote. Later he withdrew his comments.