Watford Conservatives

A CONSERVATIVE PLAN FOR WATFORD An ambitious fresh start for our town

SPRING 2021 A PLAN TO RESTORE PRIDE AND HOPE IN OUR TOWN AND THE SURROUNDING DISTRICT

When you were growing up in the town or when you moved to Watford, did you ever imagine you would find yourself living in just another over-developed suburb of London? After 20 years of the current Liberal Democrat administrations in Watford and neighbouring Three Rivers, that is what is happening. Watford has traditionally been a pleasant county market town. It is still a great place to live, but it is changing – and not always for the better. Over the past two decades, it has become more urban – more like Croydon than Croxley. And all the while our local taxes keep going up and the quality of local services keep going down. The local Liberal Democrats can’t even run a basic rubbish collection effectively. The service is getting worse and worse. If they can’t even empty the bins frequently, how can they get anything else right? Yet there is so much that needs to be done. We need more local jobs. Local affordable housing needs expanding. The local parking crisis needs sorting out. Local transport must get better. We need safer streets. We need to restore local pride – not turn ourselves into a suburb of London, abandoning our landmark Town Hall and possibly losing our local football club from the heart of the area. We need a fresh start. That is what we in this plan are offering. We hope you will support us. A CONSERVATIVE PLAN FOR WATFORD

LOCAL HOUSING, DEVELOPMENT, TRANSPORT 4 & INFRASTRUCTURE The Lib Dem Over-Development Disaster: Let’s Protect the Character of Our Area 4 Affordable Housing Shortage: Let’s Take A New Approach 7 Parking Neglect: Let’s Plan Better for Local Needs 8 Infrastructure Crisis: Let’s Make Sure We Have The Doctors and Schools We Need 9 Poor Transport Infrastructure: Let’s Improve Public Transport and Planning 10

LOCAL JOBS 12

Local Businesses Under Pressure: Let’s Support Small Businesses Who Create Jobs 12 and Prosperity Locally LOCAL GOVERNMENT 13

No More Tax Increases: Let’s Design A Better Budget 13 Waste Collection Crisis: Let’s Get the Basics Right 14 Wasting Money: Let’s Look After Our Resources 15 LOCAL ENVIRONMENT 16 Protecting Our Local Environment: Let’s Act Locally to Improve Our Quality of Life 16

LOCAL SAFETY AND POLICING 17

Our Streets: Let’s Make Safety a Top Priority 17 Our Police: Let’s Help Them Help Us More 18 LOCAL HEALTH 19

Opportunities for Local Health Services: Let’s Back the Watford General Hospital 19 Redevelopment Plan The Hidden Health Crisis: Let’s Focus on Mental Health Support 20 LOCAL PRIDE IN OUR HERITAGE AND HISTORY 21

Abandoning Our Town Hall: Let’s Instead Be Proud of Our Architecture 21 Watford’s History, Heritage and Cultural Richness: Let’s Understand our History 22 and Celebrate Our Local Heritage Hornets “To Move” Fear: Let’s Fight to Keep Watford Football Club at Home 23 A CONSERVATIVE PLAN FOR WATFORD LOCAL HOUSING, DEVELOPMENT, TRANSPORT & INFRASTRUCTURE The Lib Dem Over- Development Disaster: Let's protect the character of our area

Som e l oc a l dev e l op men t i s and mor e t al l of f i ces ar ound th e n ece s s a r y a n d c a n s er v e t he n eeds Wat f or d J unct ion s t at i on and of l o c a l p e op l e . Af f or da bl e new Cl ar endon R oad. Thes e pl ans will h om e s a r e r e q u i r e d, but a n y dr amat i cal l y change t he s ky line o f d ev e l op me n t needs t o be i n k eeping t he t own and hav e been at t ack ed b y wi t h t h e l oc a l a r e a . s ome as a ‘ mi ni -Manhat t an’ .

T h e c on s t r u c t i on of a hi gh-r is e Al l t oo of t en, huge dev el opmen t s o f t ow e r bl o c k of 28 s t or e y s i s out o f s mal l f l at s ar e appr ov ed wi t h lit t le ch ar a c t e r f or ou r a r e a . T he S t or no pr ov i s i on f or car par ki ng. T h e A l b a n s Roa d a r e a w i l l be t ot a lly L i ber al D emocr at s ’ ex cus e i s th at a d i s f i g u r e d by a de v el opmen t t ha t t r ai n s t at i on i s cl os e by ! As ma ny wi l l s e e e l e v en n ew t ow e r bloc k s . It y oung coupl es i n t hes e f l at s w ill i s al r e a dy be i ng c ha n g ed by c u r r ent hav e chi l dr en, what pr ov i s i on fo r d ev e l op me n t s . f ami l y accommodat i on i s bei ng made? I n addi t i o n , t h e Li ber a l De moc r a t C ou n c i l i s de t er mi ned t o bui ld mor e Wher e wi l l t hei r v i s i t or s , f r i end s

PAGE 4 SPRING 2021 A CONSERVATIVE PLAN FOR WATFORD

and family park? Where will they go to the doctors, dentists or school?

Planning would be easier to manage, and over-development easier to resist, if Watford’s local plan was up to date. But it is well overdue, making the Council vulnerable to planning appeals.

Watford’s planning incompetence is leading to disaster and needs to be stopped before it is too late.

The same is true in Three Rivers District where repeated delays in publishing the local plan is giving rise to suspicions of a cover-up. The District Council is so desperate to attract developers into the South Oxhey area that it ‘let them off’ paying the amount that should really have been due to the local community in Watford Rural Parish area, including Carpenders Park and Oxhey Hall.

It is not good enough for these local Liberal Democrat administrations to just blame central government targets.

H a ve y o u n o t i ced t h at o n t h e one h a n d t he L i b er al D em ocr at s s ay t h e y h a v e n o power t o cont r ol loc al pla nn i n g a n d ever yt h i ng i s t h e go ve r n m e n t ’s f aul t b ut t h en ca m pa i g n a gains t any ch anges t o n a t ion a l pl a n ni ng l aws as t h ey don ’ t w a n t t o l o s e l ocal co nt r ol?

W h ic h o n e d o you t h i nk i t r eally is ?

SPRING 2021 PAGE 5 A CONSERVATIVE PLAN FOR WATFORD

Y e s , w e ’v e n ow r each ed t h e point We need bet t er pl ans f or Watf o r d wh er e : and t he s ur r oundi ng di s t r i ct .

Liberal Democrats = Local Developers

T h ey a l l o w i n ap p r op r i a t e d ev e l o p me n t an d w a s h t he i r ha nds of t h e c on s e qu en c e s of t he i r d eci s i o n s . B u t t hey c a nn ot s imp ly s h i r k t he i r r e s p on s i bi l i t i es t his way .

We n e e d a p l an f or Wa t f or d a nd the s ur r o u n di n g d i s t r i c t t ha t f oc u s es on m aki n g g o o d us e of br ow nf i eld s i t es s o we c an p r ot e c t our g r een b el t a n d s t op ur ba n s p r a w l . We n eed ‘ j oi n e d- up’ t hi n k i ng t o e ns ur e I n f r a s t r u c t u r e k eep s p a c e w it h d ev e l o p me n t i n or der t o pr ot e c t our q u al i t y of l i f e .

W a t fo r d C o n ser v ati v es say :

We need better town and district plans – that conserve the character of Watford with its rich and unique history, and its surrounding areas.

We oppose high-rise developments.

We must prioritise the protection and expansion of our green spaces.

Development must be well organised hand-in-hand wi th appropriate infrastructure.

Our ambition must be to enhance quality of life for al l local residents.

PAGE 6 SPRING 2021 A CONSERVATIVE PLAN FOR WATFORD Affordable Housing Shortage: Let's take a new approach

We need to make sure our children can live nearby in good quality affordable housing.

Thi s s hou l d be our dev e l op ment p r i or i t y .

Ye t w he n t he Li be r a l Democrat a dmi n i s t r a t i on g a v e p l a n n i ng p e r mi s s i on f or t he p r op os ed W a t f or d J u n c t i on dev e l op ment, out o f o v e r 1 , 000 n ew home s , j us t 107 wi l l f u l f i l t he c r i t e r i a of a f f or dable h ou s i n g .

W e be l i e v e t ha t a c c ommoda tion can be c on s t r u c t ed t o me e t l oc al needs whi l e f i t t i ng t he c ha r a c t er of the l o c a l a r e a a n d bl e ndi ng i n with c ommu n i t y hou s i ng .

W a t fo r d C o n s e r v a t i v e s say : Watford needs new small- scale developments to deliver affordable local housing – so our children have the chance to stay in the area.

SPRING 2021 PAGE 7 A CONSERVATIVE PLAN FOR WATFORD Parking Neglect: Let's plan better for our local needs

W H Y W A R W I T H C A R - O W N E R S ?

S ome p o l i t i c a l p a r t i e s a c t a s if Nowher e i s t his s een mor e t he i n v e n t i on of t he c a r c a n be cl ear l y t han t he at t i t ude of t he r e v e r s e d. Whi l s t w e a l l w a n t to L i b D em counci l t o par ki ng e n s u r e t h er e a r e be t t e r f a c i l i ties f aci l i t i es . I n new dev el opments f or c y c l i s t s a n d t o e nc our a ge ar ound Wat f or d J unct i on s t atio n, p e o p l e t o ma k e g r ea t er u s e of 1 , 2 1 4 homes hav e been bui l t bu t i mp r o v e d publ i c t r a ns p or t wi t h bar el y 2 00 par ki ng pl aces – f a c i l i t i e s a n d w a l k i n g a r oun d f or pos s i bl y as many as 2 , 000 t ow n , t he c a r i s n ot goi ng t o new car s ! di s a p p e a r . An d a s w e mov e into a n e r a o f el e c t r i c v ehi c l e s , t he I t i s har dl y s ur pr i s i ng t hat i t is e n v i r o n me nt a l i mp a c t w i l l be get t i ng har der and har der t o par k r e du c e d. acr os s t he t own wi t h s uch pl anni ng pol i cies , whi ch l eads t o B u t s ome a r e j u s t a t w a r w i t h di f f i cul t i es f or l ocal s hop-owne r s . c a r - o wn e r s . W a t fo r d C o n ser v a ti v es sa y :

We must tackle the parking shortage crisis.

Residents should be able to park near their homes.

Parking needs must be taken seriously when planning developments.

Local businesses and shops should be considered when i t comes to parking plans.

PAGE 8 SPRING 2021 A CONSERVATIVE PLAN FOR WATFORD Infrastructure Crisis: Let's make sure we have the doctors and schools we need

We mus t make s ur e t hat dev el opment s hav e t he neces s ar y i nf r as t r uct ur e in pl ace al ongs id e cons t r uct i on. If we ar e t o wel come mor e r es i dent s , we need mor e GP s ur ger i es and s chool s t o cope wi t h t hi s i ncr eas ed demand.

Ex i s t i ng r es i dent s s houl d not hav e t o s t r uggl e wi t h obt ai ning a l ocal s chool place or an appoi nt ment wi t h t hei r GP due t o i r r es pons i bl e dev el opment wh ic h has not been s cr ut i ni s ed cor r ect l y . Ther e ar e t oo many i ns t ances of planni ng per mi ss io n bei ng gr ant ed wi t hout t he s i t e bei ng deemed f ut ur e-pr oof ed.

Watfo r d C o n ser v a ti v es s a y :

Let’s develop our local infrastructure in step with housing developments.

Any new housing development on St Albans Road must comprise a new primary school and doctors’ surgery to relieve the pressure on practices in Nascot, Central and Callowland.

SPRING 2021 PAGE 9 A CONSERVATIVE PLAN FOR WATFORD Poor Transport Infrastructure: L e t's impr ov e pu blic t r ans por t a nd planning

Wh e t h e r b u s e s , r o a d s , o r t r a i n s , l o c a l t r a n s p o r t i n f r a s t r u c t u r e i s j u s t n o t g o o d e n o u g h .

Wh i l s t W a t f or d ha s gr ow n w i t h m or e Many of us us e our car s , es pecially r es i de n t s a n d mor e s hopp i ng when we hav e t o t r ans por t child r en f aci l i t i e s , t he t r a n s p or t s y s t e m h as s i gni f i cant di s tances or f et ch h eav y not k e p t u p . Ev e r y da y w e f a c e s hoppi ng. t r af f i c p r obl e ms t ha t j us t get w or s e an d w or s e . Whe n p l a n n i ng l oc a l They ar e a popul ar way t o do th ings d ev e l op me n t s , mor e c ons i de r a t ion qui ckl y and i ndependent l y . So nee ds t o be gi v e n t o t he r at her t han j us t at t acki ng people f o r i m pl i c a t i o n s f or t r a f f i c – a n d s im ply want i ng t o us e t hei r car s , we need w i s hi n g f or ow ner s of new t o t ake a bal anced appr oach. Th e pr op e r t i e s n o t t o ow n c a r s , i s L i ber al D emocr at knee-j er k cl ea r l y n o l on g er g ood en ou g h. r es pons e t o ev er y t r ans por t pr obl em i s t o at t ack car s : t hi s need s We n e e d be t t e r f a c i l i t i e s f or t o end. cy cl i s t s . W e s t r ong l y s u p p or t m ak i n g c y c l i ng ea s i er a r oun d t o wn Of cour s e we need t r af f i c calm ing an d ba c k me as u r es t o ma k e i t s af er . meas ur es – but t oo f r equent l y t h es e B u t u n l i k e t h e Li ber a l De moc r a t s , s eem t o s how l i t t l e concer n f or t h e w e a r e n o t a t w a r w i t h c a r ow ner s . needs of car owner s r es ul t i ng in

PAGE 10 SPRING 2021 A CONSERVATIVE PLAN FOR WATFORD d am a g e t o t h e i r v e hi c l es – w hether ar r i v i ng home much l at er t han f r o m r oa d hump s or w i dt h pl anned i n t he ev eni ng. There ar e r es t r i c t i o n s . We w i l l c a mp a i g n f or del ay s , cancell at i ons and t oo m any w e l l - p l a n n e d t r a f f i c c a l mi ng i ns t ances i n whi ch pas s enger s ar e m e a s u r e s , i n c ons u l t a t i on w i t h local not abl e t o boar d s er v i ces due t o r es i de n t s , s uc h a s s p eed c ont r o l ov er cr owdi ng. pl a t f or ms whi c h s l ow c a r s dow n w i t hou t c a u s i ng da ma g e. The Met r opol i tan l i ne ex t ension s houl d not be us ed by t he Labo ur Wa t f or d J u n c t i on s t a t i on i s s imply May or of L ondon as a pol i t i cal not g o o d e n ou g h t o de a l w i t h f oot bal l . The ex t ens i on t o t he i n c r e a s i n g l oc a l n eeds . cent r e of Wat f or d coul d br i ng benef i t s f or many r es i dent s but t h is T h e r a i l w a y s er v i c e mus t be need not be at t he ex pens e of i m pr ov e d. ot her s . I t would be wr ong t o tur n t he ex i s t i ng Wat f or d Met r opolitan A z on e 1 - 9 t r a v el -c a r d c os t s £ 3, 6 6 0 s t at i on i nt o a noi s y wor ks hop. a y e a r , y e t c ommut e r s a r e n ot r ec e i v i n g a n y w her e n ea r v a l u e f or We mus t back our l ocal t ax i dr iv er s . t h e i r mo n e y . T oo ma ny c ommu ter s They of f er a v it al s er v i ce and ne ed ar e a r r i v i n g l a t e t o w or k t hr ou gh no f aci l i t i es at l ocal s t at i ons t o dr o p f aul t of t he i r ow n , a nd t oo ma n y ar e of f and pi ck up pas s enger s eas ily .

W a t fo r d C o n ser v ati v es say :

Watford Juncti on stati on needs more i nvestment and comprehensi ve redevel opment.

We back MP Dean Russel l ’ s efforts to hol d London Northwestern Rai l way to account and to i mprove i ts servi ces.

The exi sti ng Watford Metropol i tan stati on must be kept open: pl ans for any future Metropol i tan l i ne extensi on way must make thi s cl ear.

We must work wi th Herts County Counci l to assess the phasi ng of traffi c l i ghts at the Ri ng Road and the Dome Roundabout. Traffi c cal mi ng measures shoul d be wel l pl anned and consi der the needs of car-owners too.

We must gi ve the town’ s taxi dri vers the support they need to serve passengers better.

SPRING 2021 PAGE 11 A CONSERVATIVE PLAN FOR WATFORD LOCAL JOBS Local Businesses Under Pressure: L e t ' s s u p p o rt sm a ll b u sin e sse s w h o c r e a te jo b s a n d p ro sp e rit y lo c ally

Too often local businesses are simply pushed aside despite its Royal forgotten, despite being key Charter. employers and often delivering local It should be a way to attract people services. Shopkeepers are vital to into the shopping district but it has building strong communities, providing been tucked away and neglected. jobs, and creating prosperity. The Market should be restored to a They have done an amazing job central place in the life of a lively throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Our town centre. We have reached a local shops have proved once again point where barely half the available their worth to their local communities. units are even in active use. We also need to keep our town centre alive. The Liberal Democrats must face Wa tfo r d C o n ser v ati v es s a y : the fact that they will forever be Let’s get behind efforts known as the “administration that lost of local MP Dean Russell John Lewis”. We hoped this disaster to expand the jobs fair could be avoided but their reaction and create a year-round was too little, too late. digital hub to offer And whilst we need to encourage practical guidance for job people to use the shops on the High seekers, apprentices, and Street, what have the Liberal entrepreneurs. Democrats done? Placed giant flower We must back our local pots on the roads to stop access for retailers and small people with reduced mobility. It is shop-owners. symptomatic of the way the town is The Town Market run. deserves better support to The Watford Market that was once the be an attractive feature of very heart of the town – we even had the town’s shopping a proper Market Square – has been experience.

PAGE 12 SPRING 2021 A CONSERVATIVE PLAN FOR WATFORD LOCAL GOVERNMENT No More Tax Increases Let's design a better budget

The Councils in Watford and Three Rivers prefer to increase taxes and invent new ‘stealth taxes’ – on things like gardening and parking – to spend on vanity projects to provide photo opportunities rather than getting the basics right at an affordable cost. And so we face yet another tax increase across all bands in both Watford Borough and Three Rivers District. For a typical family home in Band D, both Councils charge well above average and Watford is the most expensive Council in the County charging £50 more than the average of the rest. They need to get back to basics. They should focus on getting core services right. We need a budget that gives us all value for money.

Wa tfo r d C o n ser v ati v es s a y : No more increases in the Borough and District rates of Council Tax – enough is enough. No new stealth taxes – we oppose the tax on gardening. Let’s get back to basics: a quality service at a price we can afford.

SPRING 2021 PAGE 13 A CONSERVATIVE PLAN FOR WATFORD Waste Collection Crisis: Let's get the basics right

Surel y i t i s t h e f ir s t d ut y of a To add i ns ul t to i nj ur y , bot h loc al C ou nc il t o or ga nis e a n L i ber al D emocr at Counci l s hav e effi ci ent and e f f e c t ive w a s t e i mpos ed a new ‘ gar deni ng t ax ’ : col l ec ti on s ys t e m ? we hav e t o pay t o hav e our gr een was t e r emov ed. Ar en’ t w e Yet th e c ur r e nt L ib e r a l al r eady pay i ng f or was t e t o be Democ rat a d m inis t r a t ions in col l ect ed t hr ough our Council W atford and Th r e e Rive r s jus t Tax ? Thi s i s a r egr es s i v e t ax . don ’t del i v e r . B ot h Counc ils have aban d one d t h e c onc e pt of As t he bas i c char ge i s t he s am e week l y gene r a l w a s t e f or ev er y one, it hur t s har d col l ec ti on s . wor ki ng f ami l i es wi t h modes t Sh ou l dn ’t a w e e k ly r ub b is h gar dens i n t he s ame way as it col l ec ti on b e a b a s ic s e r vic e hur t s t hos e wi th much l ar ger gu aran teed b y your loc a l pr oper t i es . cou nci l ? W a t fo r d C o n ser v a ti v es sa y :

We must have a general rubbish collection every week.

No ‘gardening tax’ and no extra charges for collecting our rubbish.

PAGE 14 SPRING 2021 A CONSERVATIVE PLAN FOR WATFORD Wasting Money: Let's look after our resources

The L i ber al D emocr at admi ni s tr atio ns i n t he Wat f or d Bor ough and Thr ee R i v er s D i s t r i ct Counci l s s hould ha v e l ooked af t er our capi t al bet t er .

And y et , t hey hav e al l t oo of t en was t ed money on unneces s ar y s chemes . The pond at t he t op of t h e t own has been r edone t wi ce in s ix y ear s , addi ng a br i dge t o nowher e. They s houl d hav e got i t r i ght the f ir s t t i me.

The Thr ee R i v er s D i s t r i ct s old its s oci al hous i ng s t ock and has s ince bl own t he wi ndf al l – £35 mi l lion – gone.

And t hey hav e mi s s ed oppor tunities t o s ecur e f i nanci al benef i t s f or local communi t i es f r om dev el oper s. Th e Sout h Ox hey dev el opment s hould h av e br ought i n t hous ands of pounds fo r t h e l ocal communit y – but i ns t ead the Li ber al D emocr at s r ef us ed t o make t h e l ocal dev el oper s pay up.

Watfo r d C o n ser v a ti v es s a y : We would manage the funds provided by local taxpayers with meticulous care. Your hard-earned cash should not be blown on councillors’ vanity projects.

We would protect local capital and focus on investments that add real value for the town and surroundi ng areas.

SPRING 2021 PAGE 15 A CONSERVATIVE PLAN FOR WATFORD LOCAL ENVIRONMENT Protectin g Our Loc al En vironmen t: Let's act locally to improve our quality of life

Th e UK ha s pl a y e d a w or l d-l eading r ol e i n t ac k l i n g c l i ma t e c ha nge and t he t r a n s i t i on t o Cl ea n Gr owth – but w ha t mor e c a n w e do l oc a l l y ?

I t i s ou r d u t y t o ma k e s u r e our c h i l dr e n a nd g r a ndc hi l dr e n gr ow up i n a c ou nt r y t ha t i s c l e a n er and g r e e n e r t ha n t he one w e gr ew u p i n .

W e n e e d t o pr ot e c t our p r ecious g r e e n s p a c es a nd a v oi d ov er- de v e l op m en t .

W e n e e d t o w or k w i t h l oc a l bu s i n e s s e s t o en c our a ge t hem to p l a y t h e i r pa r t i n t hi s g r ea t national e f f or t . W a tfo r d C o n s e r v a t i v e s sa y :

We back MP Dean Russell’s work to encourage local businesses to end single-use plastic and to reduce emissions so we can have cleaner air. We must work to protect the parks and open spaces that we are lucky to have in the area.

PAGE 16 SPRING 2021 A CONSERVATIVE PLAN FOR WATFORD LOCAL SAFETY AND POLICING Our Streets: Let's make safety a top priority

No-one want s t o was t e ener gy k eeping l i ght s on al l night , but us i ng the f l ex i bi l i t y of t he new L ED l i ghtin g s y s t ems i n many par t s of t he ar ea s houl d mean r es i dent s can walk h o m e l at e s af el y .

The hour s when t he s t r eet l i ghts ar e s wi t ched of f mus t be det er mined b y l ocal needs – es peci al l y public t r ans por t t i metabl es .

R es i dent s mus t be abl e t o walk o ur s t r eet s wi t hout any concer ns. Mak ing s ur e pot hol es ar e f i x ed qui ckly and br oken l i ght s ar e mended ur gent ly s houl d be a t op pr i or i t y .

Wa tfo r d C o n ser v ati v es s a y :

Let’s get the basics right: good pavements and safe streets.

Let’s work together with the County Council and Police & Crime Commissioner, instead of creating artificial arguments and playing the blame-game.

SPRING 2021 PAGE 17 A CONSERVATIVE PLAN FOR WATFORD Our Police: Let's help them help us more

T he p o l i c e des er v e our f ul l Abbot s Langl ey mus t not pl ay s u p p o r t a nd not be un der mi ned s econd f i ddl e t o t he pol i ci ng b y l o c a l p o l i t i c a l f a c t i on s needs of cent r al Wat f or d during a dv a n c i n g n a r r ow i nt e r e s t s of t he ev eni ngs and l at e at ni ght : t he i r ow n . t he whol e ar ea mus t be f ul l y s er v ed at al l t imes . W e a r e a l l c on c e r ned a bout c r i me s t h a t s eem t o go Pol i ce of f i cer s mus t s pend t heir u n p u n i s h e d a nd c r i mi na l s l e ft t i me out and about not bogge d u n c a u g ht . down i n bur eaucr acy . Hav i ng cus t ody ar r angement s i n t he W e wi l l w or k w i t h our Cou n t y t own – and not s ome di s t ance P ol i c e a n d Cr i me Commi s s i oner away – coul d hel p. We woul d t o s t r e n g t h e n l oc a l p ol i c i n g . as s es s what mor e coul d be done t o f r ee t ime up f or our Ar e a s o n t he edg e of t he t ow n pol i ce of f i cer s t o s pend out i n s u c h a s C a r pen der s Pa r k a n d t he communi t y .

W a t fo r d C on ser v a ti v es sa y :

We back our police without hesitation.

Let’s invest in our police and improve local safety.

PAGE 18 SPRING 2021 A CONSERVATIVE PLAN FOR WATFORD LOCAL HEALTH Opportunities For Local Health Services: Let's back the Watford General Hospital redevelopment plan

F u n di n g f or t he We s t He r t s Hos pital T r u s t – whi c h i n c l u des a ma jo r r e bu i l d a t Wa t f or d Ge ner a l H os pital – h a s be e n an n ou n c e d by t he Co n s e r v a t i v e Gov er n men t . W e will g e t be hi n d t he ef f or t s of ou r local MP , De a n Rus s el l , t o e ns u r e that ev e r y p e n n y of i nv e s t men t i n Watf or d b y W e s t He r t s Hos pi t a l T r us t is s pent w e l l a n d t ha t w or k beg i ns w ithout d e l a y o n n ew f a c i l i t i e s t ha t benef it t he w hol e a r e a . W a t fo r d C o n s e r v a t i v e s say : Let’s make Watford a centre of health excellence. We back the investment in Watford General 100% as the best way to improve the health service for residents in our town and the wider area as effectively and as quickly as possible. We will campaign to make sure that the new multi-storey car parks adopt a pay-on-exit scheme and a range of flexible payment options. Patients and visitors should not have to worry about topping up their parking.

SPRING 2021 PAGE 19 A CONSERVATIVE PLAN FOR WATFORD The Hidden Health Crisis: Let's focus on mental health support

No r es i dent i n t he Wat f or d ar ea s houl d ev er f eel al one and with o ut s uppor t .

Lonel i nes s i s one of t he gr eates t i nj us t i ces of our t i me. We need an ur gent r ev i ew of ment al health s er v i ces and t o make acces s to adul t s oci al car e qui cker and eas i er .

Nobody s houl d be l ef t wi t hout t h e car e t hat t hey need and ar e ent i t l ed t o.

We mus t ens ur e t hat ment al illn es s i s v i ewed i n t he s ame way as phy s i cal i l l nes s .

Wa tfo r d C o n ser v ati v es s a y : We back MP Dean Russell’s local campaigns to improve mental health care.

We are pleased to support his ‘mental health first aiders’ training initiative – where he is working with some excellent local partners to train 1,000 local mental health first aiders in Watford. The target is to make sure that nobody has to wait more than two weeks to access specialist mental health treatment.

PAGE 20 SPRING 2021 A CONSERVATIVE PLAN FOR WATFORD LOCAL PRIDE: IN OUR HERITAGE AND HISTORY Abandoning Our Town Hall? Let's instead be proud of our architecture

We s houl d be pr oud of our t own and i t s ci v i c t r adi t i ons . The town cent r e and l ocal communi t i es s houl d be s uppor t ed, pay i ng par t i cul ar r egar d t o pr es er v i ng t h e l ocal char act er i s t i cs of t he ar ea.

Whil s t i mpr ov ement s t o t he top end of t he Hi gh St r eet ar e neces sar y , t o ev en cons i der al l owi ng our Gr ad e II l i s t ed Town Hal l be t ur ned i nto a hot el or t r ans f or med i n any other commer ci al way woul d be a di s gr ace.

Wa tfo r d C o n ser v ati v es s a y :

Let’s take pride in our town and its history – let’s save the Town Hall from redevelopment! Let’s nurture all our villages and local communities in the Watford area to protect their character.

SPRING 2021 PAGE 21 A CONSERVATIVE PLAN FOR WATFORD Watford's History, Heritage And Cultural Richness: Let's understand our history and celebrate our local heritage

W e wa n t a t ow n t ha t i s f ul l y inclus iv e, wher e all local r es idents a r e e q ua l l y r es p ec t ed a nd v alued.

S o l e t u s u n der s t a n d ou r hi s t or y and her itage better , celebrating ou r s u cc es s es a nd l e a r n i ng f r om our f ailings , as we unite to bu i l d a s t r ong er t ow n a nd countr y .

A bov e a l l , l e t ’ s c ome t og et her to f ocus pos itiv ely on the f uture r a t he r t ha n f i g ht i n g f ut i l e battles with the pas t. The ef f or t to r e n a me s t r e e t s j us t c r ea t es completely unneces s ar y ar guments t ha t s er v e no hel pf ul pu r p os e.

W a t fo r d C o n ser v ati v es say :

Let’s build a strong town together – uniting all sections of the community – rather than creating unnecessary controversies that only risk dividing us.

PAGE 22 SPRING 2021 A CONSERVATIVE PLAN FOR WATFORD Hornets "To Move" Fear: Let's fight to keep Watford Football Club at home

W a t f or d F C ha v e p l a y e d a t Vicar age R oad f or almos t 100 years , s i n c e 1 922.

The i dea that Watford Footbal l Cl ub mi ght move out of the town i s worryi ng.

WFC has al ways pri ded i tsel f on bei ng a communi ty cl ub – so i t must stay i n our communi ty.

W a t fo r d C o n ser v ati v es say :

No ifs, no buts: the Hornets must stay in Watford!

SPRING 2021 PAGE 23 YOUR LOCAL CONSERVATIVE CAMPAIGN TEAM

WE H A V E BE E N PL E ASE D TO S H AR E THE S E I D E AS ABOUT OUR TOWN AN D S UR R O U N D I NG ARE A WI T H YO U. WE AR E CA M PA I G N I NG T O RE ST ORE PR IDE AND HO P E I N W AT FORD.

I F Y O U WO U L D L I KE T O KNOW MOR E OR WO U L D L I KE T O J OI N US , P LEAS E CO N T A C T U S AT :

[email protected]

watfordconservatives.org.uk

facebook.com/TheWatfordConservatives

twitter.com/WatfordTories

P r o m o t e d b y P e t e r W i l l i a m s , o n b e h a l f o f W a t f o r d C o n s e r v a t i v e s , a l l o f : T h e W e n t a B u s i n e s s C e n t r e , C o l n e W a y , W a t f o r d W D 2 4 7 N D . P r i n t e d b y M e t r o C o m m e r c i a l P r i n t i n g L t d , U n i t 7 , M o w a t I n d u s t r i a l E s t a t e , S a n d o wn R o a d , W a t f o r d , W D 2 4 7 U Y .