Vote For Keith Barnes and YES to AV on May 5th

I live in Stray Ward and have represented the area at North Yorkshire County Council since 2005. I am now asking for your vote in the elections to Harrogate Borough Council on May 5th.

At County Hall I chair the Young People’s Scrutiny Committee. This committee reviews and challenges the County Executive on all aspects of Education and Children’s Social Services. I recently resigned as a Governor at Harrogate Grammar School , believing that the school’s decision to become an Academy was unnecessary and reduced funds available to other local schools.

Other activities include:
 Getting action on issues raised by constituents, whether it be bus stops, pot holes, untreated winter roads, excessive parking, ‘puddles’ outside shops, recycling, health visitor workloads, library use etc.
 Campaigning to improve the county council’s support for community transport, especially The Little Red Bus – a lifeline for many.
 Chairing a cross-party group tasked with reviewing the proposed waste treatment plant for the county. Having studied loads of evidence I voted in favour of the plant, believing it to be in the best interests of the people of North Yorkshire.
 Trustee of Essential Needs, the Furniture Re-Use Store behind Leeds Road shops.
 Honorary Treasurer of a Local Housing Association, actively promoting much-needed affordable housing.

We are lucky to live in such an attractive area and it has been a privilege to represent local people, all local people – but let’s not forget there are still local problems and major issues facing the town, the county and beyond. Nationally I am cautiously optimistic about the coalition government. 64% of the Lib Dem manifesto is in the coalition agreement, but please don’t forget that coalition means compromise, sometimes painful ones. Currently I have concerns about the proposed, unnecessary health service reforms and am supporting my parliamentary colleagues in their proposed modifications.

Locally I have registered an objection to the proposed new pharmacy on Leeds Road and am pleased the proposal for a new Sainsbury's nearby has been rejected.

Please give me your support on May 5th ……. And vote Yes for a fairer, more representative voting system, in the referendum on the same day.