Richard Cornelius

Barnet Council leader Column

Leader of Barnet Council

I HAVE been asked, why on Earth did I get involved in local politics?

There are two reasons – to stop moaning and do something, and to be part of making the difficult decisions that face our area.

I listened, and was eventually selected and elected.

None of us likes change, and as a Conservative I am no different

Some choices that are quite difficult to make and have complicated implications are, of course, very straightforward for those directly involved who do or don’t want something to happen.

But the council has to take a much broader view.

All these decisions are made against the
background of the 26 per cent cut of £43million that we have to make.

Most change is behind the scenes, but there are changes the public does not like and which we can work on improving.

One in particular is parking. We can start by saying sorry and improve things. We are now working our way through and will come up with proposals very soon.

We still have the lack of money and there is a connection between fixing a street and the charges which you and I pay.

That background is still there and I still want to be involved in decision making.

Over the next years Barnet Tories will still be finding ways to deliver more for less.