I was very pleased to see the Labour-Liberal Democrat Coalition administration have listened to residents and have withdrawn their decision to charge residents for their green bin collection.

The Labour/ Lib Dem Coalition had planned to charge £50 per green bin collection from this April. This was expected to affect 39,000 homes out of the 45,000 across the Borough.

This service has always been free under the 18 years of Hertsmere Conservative led councils and it should remain that way. The U-turn follows huge pressure exerted on them by local residents and the Conservatives. The Conservative government has also provided further funding for local authority recycling schemes.

I am glad that the persistent opposition to this tax grab, including hundreds of residents who signed a petition, has finally been listened to and the coalition have now backtracked. Charges will now be introduced in April 2025 instead. The fight will continue against these unfair and unneeded charges.

After less than a year in power at Hertsmere Borough Council the Labour/Liberal Democrat Coalition have withdrawn funding for Police Community Safety Officers, backtracked on an automatic £5 council tax refund which residents now have to apply for and have told residents who have two black bins that the Council will now only collect one black bin. There has been no proper notice and no consultation with residents on these new plans.

Residents are rightly angered by these regressive actions. 

I will continue working with your Conservative councillors to oppose such actions and stick up for residents.

(Photo credit: Hertsmere Conservatives)