13 Apr 2024
A campaigning resident at the forefront of the fight to protect swathes of St Albans Green Belt from housing development has stepped into the political arena by standing as an independent candidate in next month’s district elections.
Gee Smeadley, of Team CLASH and Save North St Albans Green Belt, has decided to fight for the Bernards Heath ward.
She explained why she has decided to avoid affiliation with any of the main parties: “Having campaigned with CLASH for the last four years, I have witnessed local politics at close hand. I now strongly feel that there is no place for party politics when trying to deliver the best outcomes on local issues for local residents.
“The failures in the planning department and trajectory of the Local Plan, have far reaching negative consequences and I don’t see the current council (86% Lib Dem controlled), delivering the changes that were promised. As an Independent, working cross-party will be essential. I cannot and will not be pushed or pressured to vote according to party politics and will only vote for what is best for my local community.”
She elaborated: “I want to be a local councillor to deliver better outcomes for our community. This means a better Local Plan that protects our countryside, promotes fast brownfield development and delivers the highest levels of sustainability and climate resilience for residents. I want to ensure council contractors deliver value for money from litter picking to waste management and that this council develops a robust housing strategy for those in real need and doesn’t pander to developers inflating demand for local housing.
“Voters in Bernard’s Heath must have a voice that isn’t governed by one national political party. St Albans has been my home for over twenty years and I will work to deliver the best outcomes from planning to parking, improving and expanding green spaces, to delivering greater oversight of contractors paid to litter pick, clear fly tipping and deliver the other vital local services we pay for with our local council taxes.”
What does she think she can change from within the council as opposed to outside?
“The council is directed by councillors. Councillors provide the strategy and act as the voice of residents. As a campaigner, I have experienced the frustrations of trying to represent residents on issues from inappropriate development on Green Belt to getting speed restrictions on the A1081, only to be blocked by petty party politics. Local issues should be managed quickly, diligently and without political agendas. This is what I will aim to do as a councillor with a seat at the table.
“I firmly believe a better Local Plan can be delivered for localresidents within the current timeframe.
“We have been pushed into a consultation on specific sites without the necessary evidence needed to support the site allocations.
“That evidence is due to be presented in September this year and I want to ensure that the sites we develop are selected based on merit with the right policy and infrastructure. I want to make sure there are the strongest possible environmental protections in the new Local Plan and I want to ensure current residents are not swapped by huge unnecessary housing estates blocking our roads, restricting medical and education access and permanently damaging our environment. All of which can only be achieved with a better Local Plan for St Albans and getting the necessary changes made quickly.”
