Hertfordshire is on the starting blocks for London 2012 Open Weekend

Councillor Chris White, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board:

Hertfordshire is on the starting blocks for London 2012 Open Weekend

It’s just four short weeks away until Hertfordshire and the rest of the UK c
elebrate the 3-year countdown to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. What will you do to celebrate the Open Weekend on 24 – 26 July?

Why not join in and do something you’ve never tried before? We want organisations and venues to open up and challenge themselves to do something different. And we want the public to join in and try something new, inspired by London 2012. This could be learning a new language, trying out a new sport or exploring parts of your local area you’ve never seen before.

Hertfordshire is piloting ideas around the county during the Open Weekend which we hope will become regular events that bring communities together beyond 2012. We are particularly keen on cultural activities in town centres and events that make more use of open spaces. And Lee Valley Regional Park, home to the White Water Olympic venue in Broxbourne Hertfordshire will have all sorts of exciting events over the weekend.

The Open Weekend is a perfect example of how communities from around the UK, and not just those in London, can get involved with the London 2012 Games. And it illustrates how the London 2012 Games is about a whole lot more than sport.
To register your event log onto: www.london2012.com/openweekend and complete the form.

Chris to appear before House of Commons All-Party Retail Group

Chris White is appearing this afternoon before the All-Party Retail Group to give evidence against the Government imposing mandatory licensing conditions on local authorities. He does so as Chair of the Culture, Tourism and Sport Board of the Local Government Association.

Chris says: ‘We all want misuse of alcohol to be curtailed – and that includes irresponsible retailing. Councils need the powers to tackle alcohol-related harm. Imposing central conditions on local circumstances will not help and could well hinder existing efforts.’

The decision by Parliament to allow the Government to regulate fees has cost council taxpayers an estimated £100 million in lost revenues because fees are not covering licensing and enforcement costs – a clear example of why Whitehall does not know best.

Francis Bacon School removed from special measures

Embargoed announcement by the county council:

Francis Bacon School was today removed from special measures following an inspection vist by OfSTED. The school is now satisafactory with some good features. A tremendous job has been done by the headteacher, staff and governors, with very good support from CSF, led by Kate Smith. The leadership by the governing body has been judged as outstanding – a notable achievement led by the Chair, Carole Connelly.

More policing news

The current priorities for St Peter’s ward are:

Carlisle Avenue and Palfrey Close: anti-social behaviour and criminal damage

Rough drinkers

Underage drinkers: the number of youths being stopped with alcohol has decreased a lot. Local off-licences and food stores are working very closely with the police and council to enable them to not serve underage youths.

There are many other matters of concern: please let us know if there is something your police or councillors should be attending to.

Drakes Drive to be closed

While not in Central Division this may affect a number of residents.

There has been subsidence on this road and it will have to be closed until at least Monday. It may be possible to have some ‘one way working’ over the weekend but Herts Highways cannot be sure if this will be practicable yet.

Clarence Road parking: update

Note from the District Council to local councillors

I can confirm that the signs and lines have been ordered for the new restrictions in Clarence Road.

However, the painting of the lines will be delayed until the middle of July as we will be co ordinating with Herts Highways. Herts Highways are planning to close Clarence Road for a couple of days as part of the 2009 Street Scene initiative, this will involve gully cleaning and road parching, both of which would damage the new paint.

Once the order is sealed enforcement will then commence, as soon as the final date becomes apparent, I will be updating members and residents alike.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet

On Tuesday the Liberal Democrats at County Hall announced their Shadow Cabinet.

Chris White, the re-elected leader of the group said: ‘I am pleased that we are fielding such a strong Shadow Cabinet – not only previously elected councillors, but also our newly elected ones. Any resident can contact them if they are having an issue that they feel is not getting a fair hearing from the Conservative Administration.’

The team is as follows
Leader: Chris White 01727 845300
Deputy Leader, Environment Shadow Cabinet Member: Stephen Giles-Medhurst 01923 893661
Corporate Issues Shadow Cabinet: Malcolm Cowan 01707 324743
Children Schools and Families Shadow Cabinet Member: Mike Ellis
07851 715490
Adult Care and Community Services Shadow Cabinet Member: Allan Witherick
01727 730838
Health Shadow Cabinet Member Nick Hollinghurst: 01442 866650