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NEW CHAPTER: Two long term Garston councillors set to stand down in May 

 Published on: 1st March 2021   |   By: Amneet Kaur   |   Category: Uncategorized

Two long term Garston councillors are set to step down at this May’s local elections.

On May 6, cllrs Derek Scudder and Karen Collett, both of whom have served as deputy mayors to the Elected Mayor at Watford Borough Council, will be stepping down from their roles.

Stanborough Cllr Derek Scudder has served as a borough councillor for nearly 30 continuous years having been elected in 1994.

He served as deputy mayor under elected mayor Dorothy Thornhill and was the long-term cabinet member for environmental services.  

Cllr Scudder, who also served as the Woodside Stanborough county councillor from 2001-2017 said: “It’s been an honour and privilege to have represented Stanborough since 1994 and I thank the residents for their support.

“It’s a great area of Watford, and we’ve achieved much in the local area.The thing I am most proud of is when Dorothy Thornhill  became mayor in 2002, she asked me to join her cabinet and be responsible for the environmental services. Before, the council did not do recycling at all, so I introduced the recycling system and the current one is based on what I have introduced.

“Contact with the residents is something I will really miss, you get to know a lot of people, quite often you walk along, stop for a chat, meet people and talk about what’s going on and what’s happening.”

Woodside Cllr Karen Collett is standing down having been elected in 2010, and is the current deputy mayor for Elected Mayor Peter Taylor and is the cabinet member for community at Watford Borough Council. 

Cllr Karen Collett, who has recently moved out of the area, stated: “It was very much a heartfelt decision to stand-down as I’ve very much enjoyed representing Woodside for the last eleven years, and I’ll certainly miss meeting the wonderful local residents and groups.

“I will miss the residents, they have been very supportive and very kind and I will miss them a great deal.

“The whole intention of me becoming a cllr was to help my constituents and I think in the last seven years I have done my best in everything I tried to do. But I know when someone takes over for me, they will get the same quality of support.”

Talking about her fondest memories, and her proud moments, cllr Collett said: “I really appreciate the residents’ associations. I set up one in the Leavesden Community Group when I first became elected in 2010. 

“There are three residents’ associations in Woodside. My memory working with all three groups is a high one. The residents really care about their community.We have not resolved everything but over the years we have done a lot and that’s going to be my fondest memory.

“Being part of the sports strategy would be my proud moment, we are looking at improving the cricket club and the boxing club, though it hasn’t happened yet and it may take a year or two. I’m part of the group and it is something I always wanted to see done, It is something I will come back and see when it’s completed.”

Woodside Stanborough Herts county councillor Tim Williams stated: “Derek and Karen have both done so much for their residents over so many years.

“We’ll certainly miss their dedication and work in the Garston area, and very much thank them for their years of service as our elected representatives.”  

Watford Liberal Democrats will be putting forward local residents Ann Saffery for Woodside Ward and Simon Feldman for Stanborough Ward in this May’s election for Watford Borough Council, and Tim Williams will be seeking re-election for the Woodside Stanborough County Division for Herts County Council. 

For more information please contact: Tim Williams 07799 950949, Derek Scudder 07848 817272, Karen Collett 07792 522736.

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