Throughout the Summer and into Autumn we have continued our ward surgeries at the Middle Herrington Methodist Church Hall, Crow Lane, The Jubilee Centre, Allendale Road, Farringdon and The Amalfi Tower Community Room, Lakeside. The last surgery was held was on Saturday 4th October, with Robert, Alan and myself all busy discussing issues raised by residents who called.

Our regular newsletters, too, are a continued, very important way of contact between ourselves and residents. The feedback from them, including many e-mails, are gratefully received and with the three of us working closely together since May when Alan was elected, we try to respond as quickly as possible to any issues raised. We are very grateful to our team of regular deliverers, plus the kind comments and encouragement we receive from ward residents during the distribution of the newsletters.
 
Michael

Twice in the last few months both myself and Robert have been out with the local Police-team covering our ward. These occur in the evenings and we are taken around Herrington, Farringdon and Lakeside in a police van. This is very helpful in that we can specifically mention to the Police the issues that have concerned residents who have made contact with us and then we make a visit to each of these locations. In addition we attend the regular Community Police Forums when all issues relating to our ward and those adjoining, are fully discussed with the Police and other groups in the Community.

Michael

Both Robert Oliver and myself are regularly contacted by ward residents, either by telephone, e-mail, through our website or in response to our newsletters. Now that Alan Wright has been elected as the third Conservative Councillor, we now have three people who will all be aiming to do their very best when asked to become involved in a ward issue.

On a recent Saturday afternoon we spent a good two hours walking around Herrington looking at some concerns raised by residents. These included objection to a planning application, the condition of the grassed area at the Board Inn Roundabout, car parking on grass verges, left litter at the Herrington Road/ Crow Lane junction, the installation, (at last), of a litter bin in Balmoral Terrace, progress of the play area in the Park, the Bridle Path at Foxcover Lane, plus several others.

During this period we met quite a few people and had a pleasant exchange of views. We intend to repeat this on a regular basis. In addition to attending to any specific issue, I also drive down to the Park Lea/West Park area most week-days to monitor the car parking issue, while Robert is in the ward every day.

We have in mind some ideas on making even greater, personal contact with residents in the months ahead and when finalised will mention them in our regular newsletters. During the recent election campaign, Alan, Robert and myself met hundreds of people. We were all grateful for the kind, friendly response we received.

Michael