Hello, I am Richard Henry and I am proud to have represented St Nicholas on Stevenage Borough Council for 25 years.  Part of my work is to champion services for our children and young people.  Despite huge cuts in our funding from the government we have been able to protect our play service and, during the Covid restrictions, deliver play packs and food packs to some of our families in St Nicholas. 

When residents raise personal issues or concerns in St Nicholas I always take them seriously.  I report them to the appropriate officers of the Council and, where appropriate, follow up and report back. 

I will continue to challenge the Conservative County Council where they have let us down, such as potholes in our roads and the poor state of our cycle and pathways. 

The last 8 months has been a great challenge to us all and during Covid we have not been able to hold our usual council surgeries. Sandra Barr, Claire Parris and I have held socially distanced outdoor surgeries and also given out reusable masks in the shopping area. 

We have also been active on community and environmental improvements. Sandra, Claire & I spent time during the summer carrying out socially distanced weeding and tidying up round the shopping area. Hopefully you will have seen the improvements and planting; there is more to come when we are able. 

We have recently opened up the play area in the ABC Park and have planned a number of environmental improvements for that area.  I am really excited about having a community orchard, planters and seating there too, which we hope to progress in spite of the lockdown. 

Last December we held a very successful St Nicholas day and we have plans for a mural in the underpass near the shops.  We are also working on more community and environmental projects for 2021. 

I hope that my work on behalf of St Nicholas and my experience will assure you that I am dedicated to serving the local community.