Harpenden and Berkhamsted
Fred Philpott
I grew up in in Harrow, Middlesex, leaving school at 15 with no qualifications to become a solider. In my seven years in the ranks, I was stationed in Wales, Sussex, Kent, Germany, Singapore and Hong Kong. The Army was great and allowed me to get educated with qualifications which gained me a place at King’s College, London, from where my law degree allowed me to become a barrister; a profession in which I still work.
My wife, Liz, and I have lived in Redbourn for over 35 years but are very much in contact with Flamstead and the surrounding villages.
If I was elected as a County Councillor, I will not be disruptive of the current arrangements but will vigorously challenge over spending (and hence Council tax) especially if our money is being wasted on unnecessary campaigns with dedicated officers, consultations, etc. on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (obviously I agree that everyone should be treated fairly, irrespective of race, gender, etc.) Similarly money spent on net zero is a waste and not only costing councils lots of money but imposing massive unnecessary costs on ordinary households.
Highways are no doubt an immediate issue. We want potholes repaired but I am not sure they are repaired to last that long. Temporary traffic lights are a total pain. Yes, if roads and underground utilities (gas, water, electric, fibre) are to be repaired or upgraded, roads have to be closed or restricted. But it needs a close look at as to how this is managed; we have roads dug up and then a few weeks later dug up again with more temporary lights, etc.
