Blogs - Newsroom and Reader Blogs from the Borehamwood & Elstree Times

Morris Bright is Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council and represents the ward of Elstree as both a borough and town councillor.

Living locally with his wife and his two children, Morris has sat on all the major committees of the Council and is a member of its Executive.

As Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Morris introduced Police Community Support Officers to Hertsmere and the Alcohol-Free Zone in Borehamwood. He is also currently in charge of property matters including the building of a Community Theatre in Borehamwood, and overseeing the council’s biggest asset, Elstree Film Studios.

As an Elstree councillor since 1999, Morris Bright has fought plans to impose new housing quotas on the area, which would see precious green belt land destroyed.

Morris is also local school governor.

Away from the council, Morris Bright is a freelance producer and author, who has just finished his tenth book. He makes regular appearances on both radio and television.

All over for another year...well two actually.

The last few weeks of any election campaign are quite draining. The weather wasn’t on any of our sides in recent weeks. We started campaigning in the snow and spent the last three days being rained on from a great height. More than once the Tory teams would pass the Labour teams in Borehamwood and everyone looked as wet and fed up as each other. But actually it was generally well spirited. Contrary to what many would have you believe, out there on the streets we can share a chat and the odd laugh as we criss-cross roads and peoples’ front gardens in an effort to identify votes.

All over for another year...well two actually.

The last few weeks of any election campaign are quite draining. The weather wasn’t on any of our sides in recent weeks. We started campaigning in the snow and spent the last three days being rained on from a great height. More than once the Tory teams would pass the Labour teams in Borehamwood and everyone looked as wet and fed up as each other. But actually it was generally well spirited. Contrary to what many would have you believe, out there on the streets we can share a chat and the odd laugh as we criss-cross roads and peoples’ front gardens in an effort to identify votes.

A very reassuring presence

At Full Council on Wednesday night, members had just started debating the new Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership plan for 2008-2011. It's the document which talks about the work and plans for bringing all the different groups and agencies together in Hertsmere to tackle crime and the fear of crime. The meetings of the CDRP happen quarterly with around 40-50 in attendance ranging from councillors to police, housing associations to local interested groups and residents and many others. The document needs to be prepared every three years and regularly updated to take into account the changes within areas and communities and also the issues that need to be addressed. One of the main areas that members were discussing within the document was Police Community Support Officers and their work.

A very reassuring presence

At Full Council on Wednesday night, members had just started debating the new Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership plan for 2008-2011. It's the document which talks about the work and plans for bringing all the different groups and agencies together in Hertsmere to tackle crime and the fear of crime. The meetings of the CDRP happen quarterly with around 40-50 in attendance ranging from councillors to police, housing associations to local interested groups and residents and many others. The document needs to be prepared every three years and regularly updated to take into account the changes within areas and communities and also the issues that need to be addressed. One of the main areas that members were discussing within the document was Police Community Support Officers and their work.

In the running

Congratulations to Borehamwood councillor, Darren Solomons, who ran the London Marathon at the weekend in aid of his chosen charity, Children with Leukaemia, and well done also to all our other local marathan runners. That is some achievement.

In the running

Congratulations to Borehamwood councillor, Darren Solomons, who ran the London Marathon at the weekend in aid of his chosen charity, Children with Leukaemia, and well done also to all our other local marathan runners. That is some achievement.

Speaking up for the young

Over 70% of printed news coverage dealing with young people are negative stories painting youths in a poor or bad light. Just one in ten stories about young people paint them in a positive light. That’s a very sad statistic. Are we saying that three quarters of our children and our young are bad people – do they all commit anti-social behaviour, are they all binge drinkers, hoodies and drug misusers? Yes, sure there are problems and sure we see our fair share of them in Borehamwood but do we really feel our young people are getting a fair press?

Speaking up for the young

Over 70% of printed news coverage dealing with young people are negative stories painting youths in a poor or bad light. Just one in ten stories about young people paint them in a positive light. That’s a very sad statistic. Are we saying that three quarters of our children and our young are bad people – do they all commit anti-social behaviour, are they all binge drinkers, hoodies and drug misusers? Yes, sure there are problems and sure we see our fair share of them in Borehamwood but do we really feel our young people are getting a fair press?

A sticky subject

I made a rare trip into London at the weekend. My wife suggested we go by train and discouraged me from driving in by car. I met her half way and we drove to a tube station and travelled in on the Underground. We visited the National Gallery. It’s quite extraordinary that we live so close to such magnificent buildings and exhibitions - just 13 miles from here - and yet I visit places in other countries when I’m on holiday but rarely go and visit the great stuff we have in our capital city. It was a mild day, before this cold spell returned, and walking round the pedestrianised Trafalgar Square was a pleasure – or would have been if we hadn’t got caught up in a protest that was being held there. I’m all for freedom of expression but it would have been lovely to be able to walk to the National without feeling heckled and dodging placards as we made our way to the front entrance. (And no it wasn’t the St Patrick’s Day parade – I’m no killjoy – that was the next day!)

A sticky subject

I made a rare trip into London at the weekend. My wife suggested we go by train and discouraged me from driving in by car. I met her half way and we drove to a tube station and travelled in on the Underground. We visited the National Gallery. It’s quite extraordinary that we live so close to such magnificent buildings and exhibitions - just 13 miles from here - and yet I visit places in other countries when I’m on holiday but rarely go and visit the great stuff we have in our capital city. It was a mild day, before this cold spell returned, and walking round the pedestrianised Trafalgar Square was a pleasure – or would have been if we hadn’t got caught up in a protest that was being held there. I’m all for freedom of expression but it would have been lovely to be able to walk to the National without feeling heckled and dodging placards as we made our way to the front entrance. (And no it wasn’t the St Patrick’s Day parade – I’m no killjoy – that was the next day!)

Celebrating success - past and present

I was at Hertswood school earlier this week answering questions from a group of young children asking about Elstree Studios and what goes on there, and, most importantly which famous people I had seen on set. I pointed out, much to their disappointment that I don’t go on set and see anyone. I had seen Eamonn Holmes walk past in the car park once and Noel Edmonds in the distance as he made his way to a recording but that was about it. The cross-party board of Councillors – made up of all three political parties that sit on the Council – who oversee the studios for the Council and for residents don’t visit celebrities, we’re there to ensure the facilities are working right so that productions will want to come back to us season after season. The children didn’t seem that keen to hear about studio laundry and painting of dressing rooms and offices. I think they were surprised to hear that the councillors don’t get paid to sit on the Board and do this work and that the Studios, rather than costing money actually makes money for the Borough, which gets ploughed back into local services.

Celebrating success - past and present

I was at Hertswood school earlier this week answering questions from a group of young children asking about Elstree Studios and what goes on there, and, most importantly which famous people I had seen on set. I pointed out, much to their disappointment that I don’t go on set and see anyone. I had seen Eamonn Holmes walk past in the car park once and Noel Edmonds in the distance as he made his way to a recording but that was about it. The cross-party board of Councillors – made up of all three political parties that sit on the Council – who oversee the studios for the Council and for residents don’t visit celebrities, we’re there to ensure the facilities are working right so that productions will want to come back to us season after season. The children didn’t seem that keen to hear about studio laundry and painting of dressing rooms and offices. I think they were surprised to hear that the councillors don’t get paid to sit on the Board and do this work and that the Studios, rather than costing money actually makes money for the Borough, which gets ploughed back into local services.