Over the last 4 years at the County Council I have been privileged to be the Cabinet member for Children Young People and Families with responsibility for social care, children with special educational needs, youth services, youth offending, safeguarding, early years, health. In my Deputy Leader of the Council role, I was responsible for developing the County Council’s Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan. I have also been the Cabinet member for Public Health and deputy cabinet member for Adult Care Services. I currently sit on the Hertfordshire Health and Wellbeing Board.
I am privileged to have been selected as the Conservative Party Candidate for Harpenden South West having represented Harpenden at County Hall since 2008.
I am married to David and have a son who lives with his family in Norfolk. I am proud to have a 2 and half year-old Grandson with another little ‘Heritage’ on the way towards the end of May.
By profession I was a Chartered Secretary having worked for a multi-national FTSE 100 company for 30 years and then I worked in Corporate consultancy.
I was a Town Councillor for 20 years and served proudly as Town Mayor from 2000 to 2001 I was the instigator of the Skate Park in Rothamsted via my Mayor’s Charity work. In 2002, I joined the District Council where I have served in many capacities including Conservative Group Leader and Cabinet member for Planning and Conservation. This year I am standing down from the District to make way for new candidate, Mark Beashal, to whom I wish much luck.
The Community of Harpenden is very important to me. Over the years I have tried to do as much as I could to promote and support community organisations. For many years I was a non-executive Director of The Harpenden Trust and am currently I am the very proud President of this outstanding organisation. I am one of the founders of the Harpenden Hopper and was a founding member of the extraordinary volunteer lead community group, The Southdown Play Areas Working Group, that raised funds for and built the wonderful play areas in Oakley Road and Parva Close. I have also served on the Board of Governors at The Grove Junior School and was Chairman for several years.
People tell me, that I have a reputation for getting things done and I hope to continue to support residents’ requests. Over the years my achievements have included: the return of the Post Box to Southdown; the installation of a pelican crossing at Walkers Road; signalled crossing on the A1081; a zebra crossing at Southdown Road/Piggottshill Lane; 20mph zones in Leyton Road and Cravells Road; the installation of 2 Speed Indicator Devices and the introduction of a lolly-pop lady and enhanced road safety measures outside St Dominic’s school; and latterly the construction of a safer crossing point at Gibbs Close to help the child cross more safely to St Dominic’s.
When I first became a County Councillor in 2007 I worked with the Harpenden Parents Group to ensure that we had enough primary school places in the Town and then we moved onto the Secondary provision. I am very proud of the part I had to play in development of the Katherine Warrington School and so glad that all Harpenden children have the opportunity to have a place at a Harpenden school if they want it. Development has not yet finished on site, the sports fields are waiting for the grass to grow and street lighting is being installed in lower Piggottshill Lane to provide a safer route to school for those wishing to cycle and walk to school from the Southdown Area.
I would be privileged to be returned to County Hall so that I can continue to serve and support the whole community’s views, ideas and issues. My particular focus, over the next four years will be on the prevention of flooding; safer cycle routes; the introduction of effective 20mph areas; a clean and green environment in line with climate change concerns; the emotional and mental wellbeing of the community; the recovery of local businesses post pandemic and supporting the voluntary sector.
Get in Touch with Teresa
Address: 5 Sibley Avenue, Harpenden, AL5 1HE
Email: [email protected]
