Weblogic Joomla Template Demo

Abbots Langley Parish Councillor, Ivy Young, is due to come to the end of her year as Chairman of the council and My Abbots News spoke to her just weeks before she stepped down. Councillor Young, whose term on the parish comes to an on 2010, looked back over her year with great pride, and now hands over the hammer to the next Chairman, who is likely to be Councillor David Major.

 

We’re coming to the end of your 12 months as Chairman of the Council, how would you analyse that period?

We’ve had quite a few issues that the parishioners have complained about, but they’ve had the opportunity to go to forums to voice their concerns, which is encouraging as it means the community are involved. The council, during my time, has brought the people of the village together, which I feel is a real achievement.

During your time, what important issues were resolved and what things will the next Chairman have to deal with?

I think the main one was the 318 bus issue, which was a real feather in the cap, especially for County Councillor Paul Goggins. We as a council did what we could do. I was also pleased that the issue surrounding the community centre was resolved because it has been a long struggle. You have to give credit to the people who started the fundraising project because it has been tough.

What has been the highlight of your time as Chairman?

I’ve enjoyed all of it and have been privileged to be invited by various societies and organisations to attend a number of events. This has of course given me a good insight into what they do and has been very interesting for me.

Does being Chairman give you an opportunity to see just how close the community of Abbots Langley is?

Absolutely, if you get the opportunity to attend these events and find out what goes on in the community, however small some of the societies are, it’s nice to get their feeling on what they have achieved. I feel quite privileged to have seen this during my time.

Is there anything you set out to do as Chairman, but failed to achieve it?

No I don’t think so. I think most things have been resolved one way or another, with some of them taking longer than others. But we have achieved quite a lot in our own way.

With incidents at Henderson Hall and Manor House during your stint as Chairman, do you think Abbots has an anti-social behaviour problem?

Not when I know a lot of the other areas in Three Rivers have more problems than we do. 

Is there really a need for a Parish Council when we have Three Rivers overseeing things?

Yes I think it’s important because the people ‘on the ground’ are able to put their views forward. We have good cooperation with TRDC and it’s nice to have the opportunity to tackle issues and achieve a result at the end of it. Some places do not have that opportunity.

Has Abbots changed much since your time as Chairman?

Well I think the major change is the housing situation, some of which is good, but some bad. I think we have lost that village feel, but I am trying to go with change, but I have personal issues, as I’m sure some other people have. However, it is nice to see some of the younger people getting involved in community activities.

What sort of job does the next Chairman have?

When you think of all the councillors on the parish, we work as a team which is half the battle. Occasionally you get the odd difference of opinion, but we have a good relationship within the council and things usually get resolved in the end. They (the new Chairman) will of course be tied up with the development framework in the village which has come up lately.

What will the council be doing to oppose these plans that Three Rivers have proposed for new housing?

We will be reporting to Three Rivers our response because we feel quite strongly about this. We feel like we have been singled out when there are other areas which have plenty of room. The strain on the infrastructure would be horrendous and this needs to be sorted before any new houses.

Final question, how much longer do you plan on being a councillor after your term is up next year?

I’m hoping that some younger people will take over from me and show an interest in the local            community. I’m not getting any younger and feel it is time that other people stand for council. If nobody stands and people still accept me, I would carry on for another four year term.