Dear Neighbour,

I am not your normal politician - and when I was first elected to be your councillor in the Llanfynydd ward 4 years ago, I promised myself that I would put people before politics. As many of you will know, I am the mother of 6 children, who have all grown up at schools in our local area, and my husband, Mark, is the Welsh Assembly member for North Wales. I try to be very approachable, down to earth and friendly. I am also plain speaking, and believe in getting things done so that you, the residents, get a first class service. I hope that on May 1st, you will support me again, so that I can continue to work hard around the local area, and at County Hall, to put you, the people, first in Flintshire.

Under Labour, our Council tax has almost doubled in the past 10 years, but what have we got to show for it? The problem is that Labour waste our money on grand, centrally-controlled schemes, pursuing the wrong priorities; that’s why they have spent over £13million in the past two years on agency staff to prop up the administration in County Hall, even when we have the worst funded schools in the country and our local Post Offices are threatened with closure The answers are not found in what politicians can do, but in what we can all do together for the good of our community. I always try to be honest and transparent - never giving false hope but working hard to get the right outcome for you. I am easily accessible, and will always get back to you if I’m not in when you ring.

Please give me your support on May1st, and I will work 24/7, with you and for you, to make the quality of life better for you and for everyone in our local area.

With best wishes,

Hilary

WORKING FOR YOU:

Over the past 4 years, I have worked tirelessly for the people of this area:

• I have campaigned for safer routes to schools, securing a zebra crossing and rumble strips for our community.

• I continue to fight for dignity for Council House tenants, ensuring that repairs are done, and quality standards are met - particularly in terms of new doors and kitchens.

• I have supported residents when going to the Citizens Advice Bureau, and also at pre-planning meetings so they can make an informed choice before spending money on an application fee.

• I have helped residents who are concerned with mental health issues and therapy for their loved ones.

• I have supported and raised money for Riding for the Disabled. I also helped to secure a state of the art Disabled Facilities Room at Llanfynydd school.

• I worked hard to raise £5000, needed to complete the Memorial Gardens in the Ffrith.

• I am actively engaged in organisations around Flintshire, serving on the board of Theatr Clwyd, the governing body of Castell Alun School, and as Chairman of Governors at Abermorddu Primary School.

• At County Hall, I sit on the Sustainability Forum, the Children’s Forum and the Highways and Planning Scrutiny Committee.

• I hold regular roving surgeries around our local area. I come to you, rather than you coming to find me!

Safety and Services for Everyone:

• We need more community policing not less. Anti-social behaviour is on the increase. A regular and locally accountable police presence will deter petty crime and vandalism, keeping our streets safer and cleaner for everyone. Less form-filling and more time on the beat is the answer!

• We need to strengthen the network of support for local services and facilities - local schools, health centres, public spaces. Above all, we must campaign to stop the Post Office closures. The Post Office is the heart of the community, and the Council can support these vital places by using them more to provide services. We need to support local farmers too and buy their produce.

• I will work to protect vulnerable children and adults, by ensuring Social Services provide real support when it is needed. People should have more control over the support they receive - making the service more efficient. We will support carers, providing them with the information they need to look after their loved ones.

• Social Housing should be supported and well maintained. Tenants should be treated with dignity, and houses should not be allowed to sit empty for long periods on end.

• Public Transport gets kids to school, adults to work, pensioners to the shops. Bus stops need maintenance and the buses are unreliable. I will push the bus companies to improve.

Value for Money:

• Council Tax has almost doubled, but what did we get for that extra money? I want the Council more responsible when spending our money. The key test must be local results not central targets.

• I will make the Council more accountable to you directly, by continuing my roving surgeries around the ward. I want to bring the Council to you - so you don’t have to go looking for it!

• I will help you get the most from your Council - if a hedge is overhanging the pavement, or a street-light isn’t working, or you find some graffiti, do you know who to contact to get it fixed? I want to make these services easier to use and more responsive.

Respect for our Environment:

• I will campaign to guarantee a weekly refuse collection. We have to stop the plans to make the collections every fortnight.

• Everybody should be encouraged to recycle. The recycling scheme should be simpler to understand—you shouldn’t have to be confused about which items go in which box! It is vital to our future, and it needs to be easy to use.

• Fly-tipping and Graffiti are a blight on our communities. We need to preserve public spaces that are clean, green and safe for both children and adults to enjoy.

• I will campaign for more safe speed awareness around the local area, particularly on routes to our local schools.

Opportunity For Young People:

• Our area needs better facilities for young people. This is not just about keeping kids off the streets and out of trouble, but getting young people involved in our future. Everyone has a role to play here, the local council, local business and the community - no one can do it on their own.

• I will campaign to secure better funding for our schools. Headteachers should be given control over the running of, and the discipline in, their own schools. Parents should have a fair choice of schools for their children.

• We need to improve affordable housing, so that young adults can afford to stay & live in the area if they want, rather than being forced to move away.

IT’S TIME FOR CHANGE – PLEASE USE YOUR VOTE ON MAY 1st 2008

Promoted by Hillary T Isherwood 'Fernleigh', Ffordd-y-Bont, Pontybodkin, Flintshire CH7 4TS