Councillors

I joined The Parish Council in May 2015 having lived in the village for 11 years. I run Unity Metrix Ltd, a Cyber-Security company and I have a penchant for fiddling with guitars, studying martial arts and a love for travel. I wanted to give something back to the community that I love so much and I enjoy delivering solutions to the many local challenges presented every month.

I would like to see improved engagement with Parishioners and to fully embrace the hand that we are being dealt by central government; if they want local councils to take on more responsibility then let’s do it, let us decide what makes the Parish so great and do more of that!

I think it is a shame that small communities seem to be less and less community-spirited these days and I am committed to doing whatever I can in order to help maintain and improve community relations within The Parish. I believe that the council should play a key role in encouraging, supporting and augmenting sports and social clubs, fairs and other events, activities for children etc. inasmuch as we have the power to do so.

I am also one of the neighbourhood watch coordinators for the village and pleased to note that our crime rates are comparatively very low.

I have been the Parish Clerk since 2006 and I came to a job which I hadn’t actually realised existed. I had seen the Highlights in the Parish Magazine, and I had not appreciated what they referred to. I have a background in the travel business and I often think there are many similarities to working as a holiday rep, although without the weather!
Since being Clerk I have had the privilege to work with a wide range of councillors who bring a diverse range of skills to the Council ‘table’. But whatever their background and expertise, what never ceases to amaze me is their commitment to making Flamstead a better place in which to live. Their personal commitment to the role is indeed staggering in terms of time and professional advice for which we are all grateful.
My role is very different; I am responsible for the financial welfare of the Parish, all the meeting related administration – agendas, minutes and relevant action points; the compliance status of the council, plus myriad of diverse issues ranging from organising the repair of a street light, to seeking grass cutting quotes, being an expert on playground apparatus, reporting endless fly tipping cases, commenting on planning applications, being on the lookout for grants, keeping up to date with legislation, liaising with DBC and HCC to mention a few. I have also attended many training sessions and gained a recognised qualification (CiLCA) all of which complement my work.
I am also very keen to continue increasing the general engagement with the village, especially via the Grapevine which has become a very useful tool in communication with our key audience. When a request for a particular item is put out on the Grapevine – response is often immediate.
The Parish Council’s new website will further develop community engagement possibilities as more use of social media is incorporated into the communications remit.
So to recap, my job is very varied and I enjoy the interaction between so many different groups and organisations in the village and it is so rewarding when the Council can look back over a year and see what achievements have been made.

Years of service – Parish Clerk 1970 to 1980; Parish Councillor 1980 to date; DacorumBoro’ Cllr. 1979 to 2007; Herts County Cllr. 8 years; Herts Police Authority 5 years.
Elevated to ‘Freeman of the borough’ 2007.
What I would like to achieve – A Pavilion adequate for present village use but capable of expansion to satisfy future recreational needs.
Controlled expansion of the village, on appropriate sites, to provide accommodation for genuine, established Flamstead families.
Key interests – Local Government Finance.
Why we enjoy living in the Parish – We value the friendships that have evolved over 53 years residence.
I am a ‘Superannuated Acolyte’ at St. Leonard’s and President of the Gardens Association.
Local Features – Play Area

I joined the Parish Council towards the end of 2015.  My main objective was to find out more about the village and to see if I could give something back to the community to which my family and I moved in 2012.  I have a mixture of experience in education and more recently in marketing and finance, but my principal area of interest is as chair of the Rural Protection Working Group.  It would be great to think we can make a difference in representing the majority views of the village in safeguarding the rural character of Flamstead whilst maintaining its sustainable development.

I can’t say that getting involved in local politics was high on my agenda when we moved to Flamstead – but neither was being a gardening association treasurer, leading a campaign group against airport expansion, setting up websites, chairing the 2016 Flamstead Future survey working group or learning how to apply for heritage funding! However, this is a very special community and it deserves whatever time, skills and talents each of us can bring, and I’m more than happy to contribute what I can for the good of the village.

I’ve certainly learned a lot over the past years by getting involved in these various activities, and more than anything I think it’s taught me how much people can achieve by working together, and what great people we have in the various organisations I’ve come into contact with. I’m hoping to encourage more folk to get involved – particularly as we face the challenges of securing the invaluable heritage of St Leonard’s Church for the next hundred years, and preserving the essential character of this fantastic rural community.

I have served on the Parish Council since 2009 as a way of giving back to the village. Since then I have been honoured to chair both the Royal Wedding and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee village celebration made possible by so many volunteers. I serve as an Alms House trustee and have a real desire to see the needs of those that have lived in Flamstead for generations served.

For my day job I lead a great team, 10 of whom live in Flamstead, who together make Majestic Trees the success it is today.