Everything seems to be moving at a fast pace, to ensure that we can all receive our vaccinations, and the “Lockdown” can be eased so that we can get some of our lives back! Crowd immunity will severely restrict the virus from spreading through our community.
I’ve had my injection,…I didn’t even feel a thing, and then, had no adverse reactions. So, when you are called for your turn, don’t delay, it takes a few minutes, and is being administered very efficiently for us.
We know that there’s a few silly “scare stories” going around. Ignore them.
At last, there is a light at the end of the tunnel!
Recently, I joined a Rural Meeting of Hertfordshire Police, which included the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Chief Constable, many senior Officers with rural responsibilities, and other interested parties. We had an informative presentation. So far, Herts. have recruited 111 new (not replacement) Officers, and expect a further 165 by summer 2022. A record force.
I said I hoped that we can get a larger presence in our rural villages. Heightened car crime, belligerent drug dealing, speeding, fly tipping, and more is blighting our streets and lanes. I asked for plain clothed Officers in our villages, more uniformed Officers and marked cars in our areas, with even more needed at night, when car crime abounds.
There needs to be a better liaison between our rural Officers and the public, Parish Councils, and schools, etc. Fine, punish and shame criminals. Let them know they can’t beat us! BUT....it’s got to start with more visibility and trust. Your part is to report everything that you suspect is wrong. Then it is recorded, and they will get a true picture. Let’s kick crime out of our villages and countryside!
Schools have been experiencing, and adapting brilliantly to supporting students in home education, and provision of technology equipment to those who need it. The Hertfordshire Council Administration has guaranteed that those pupils who would normally qualify for free school meals, will be supported during the “lockdown”, between terms, and through to the end of summer term, when it will be reviewed and enhanced , if necessary.
Schools will go back after March 8th, if all is going well, and the statistics show that we are winning the fight against this pandemic.
I can’t wait to share a friendly drink with friends in our local pubs and restaurants. Our hostelries have suffered so badly for the last year. We can show them that we care, by supporting them when they re-open…..follow me!
The Government have confirmed that there will be Local elections, and Police and Crime Commissioner elections, on May 6th. It will take a lot more organising to make sure we are all safe, and can confidently go into a Polling Station to exercise our democratic right to vote.
Have you registered with the Local Authority Electoral Register? If not, don’t hesitate…time is becoming short. You can register for a Postal vote too, if you wish. In any case, I believe it is important to get out and vote.
I hope that February will pass without to many freeze-ups and, like last year, March into April will bring us Spring sunshine, and we can turn our thoughts to setting out the garden, and cleaning up the barbecue equipment for a long, warm, and enjoyable summer.
Stay safe, keep smiling, healthy, and look out for others.
Cllr David Barnard
