What prompted you to stand as an elected Mayor?
I liked the challenge of a new job being able to write my own bit of
Watford's history and hopefully make a difference to the town .

What is your greatest achievement as Mayor?
Many and varied. Restoring credibility in the councils financial structures which were a disaster.

Keeping tax levels low for 5 years on the trot.

Improving all our front line services and raising satisfaction levels. Taking some tough decisions in order to move on and improve things, decisions ducked by the previous administration

Building two new leisure centres and swimming pools. Introducing full kerbside recycling in two years from a very low base. By throwing in council land into a major regeneration site ensuring the future of our local hospital not just as it is but vastly improved ..

Lots of little things really I guess.

What difference can an elected Mayor make to a community?
You would have to ask them but at a very basic level it provides clear community leadership and ensures some consistency of decision taking. Mayors must have a long term vision for their town or city and get partners to work together to achieve more.

But to the public it is knowing who is in charge as one old chap said to me once" I may not like all you do but at least I know who's doing it and I actually know why its being done!" I am the face of what can be a blank bureaucracy.

What is the main difference between an elected Mayor and a traditional
Mayor?
No similarity at all. The comparison is best between an elected mayor and a council leader. The bloke with the bling is simply a figure head who cuts ribbons I have done that role and it is very nice but its not the same job; I'm the chick with the cheque book!

Will you be standing for re-election?
Yes |I did last year and got 52% of the vote a humbling moment . Will I stand again only if I feel I can continue to do a good job and have the people's confidence to carry out the role.

Mayor's biog
Mayor's website