We talk to County Councillor Chris Hayward about his work and his involvement in Chorleywood
The impressive stage at Chorleywood Christmas Festival was made possible thanks to Chris Hayward’s passion for our community. For the fourth year running he allocated some of his locality budget towards the cost, enabling a stage big enough to accommodate the combined schools’ choir of 60 children plus SCD Gospel Choir, two Chorleywood stage schools and local bands. Cllr Hayward is undoubtedly instrumental in helping put back the community into our Christmas event. Other Chorleywood projects he has helped include CW Library volunteers, The Hive table tennis club, a tent for the Scouts, equipment and training for a Back to Netball group and a CPR machine at Hurstleigh home for the elderly in Shire Lane.
As county councillor for Chorleywood, Chris represents the interests of residents, working closely with 3RDC councillors, our MP David Gauke, CW Residents’ Association and CW Parish Council.
In May he was appointed County Chancellor managing a million pound budget and 3.5 billion pension fund, council tax and spending budgets – “The same as George Osborne but for county not country!
“Money is at the heart of everything we do. I decide which service to invest more in, my priority is with the elderly, the sick and children. I talk to individual constituents about anything from education to social care. We provide adult care services and are increasingly working with public health since it was transferred from the NHS to local government. Children in care are our responsibility too.. we are always looking for more foster parents. We deal with libraries, the Fire Service, Household Recycling Centres and leisure services.
It’s wonderful to be able to influence money going to local concerns instead of the decision being made remotely at County Hall. I live in the area and can relate to how it benefits Chorleywood. 90% of Council tax comes to the County Council. We invest £90,000 a year on highways and recently we have serviced Main Parade and sorted the potholes in Hillside Road out.
Politics is about changing things for your country, and it is a great privilege to be involved with people at a local level.”
In addition to being County Councillor for Chorleywood, Chris Hayward looks after Sarratt and Hunton Bridge. He is the Executive Member for Enterprise, Education and Skills on the County Council and sits on numerous committees. He spends three days a week in the corporation of the City of London where he is responsible for Planning, Licensing, Finance and Education
chris.hayward@hertfordshire.gov.uk 01923 291574