General Information

Wheathampstead is a village with around 6,000 electors and 2,500 homes. It has 3 District Councillors 2 of which are Liberal Democrats. Voting over the last 10 years has shown that there is a relatively small margin between the Liberal Democrats and the Tories. Labour comes a poor third with around 300 votes. Turnout at elections is around 50%. For decades the Tories were in control of the District Council but in 1995 Liberal Democrats took overall control. However this was lost in 1999 when due to boundary changes there was an all out election. In May 2001 the Council adopted the new Leader and Cabinet model of local government on a shadow basis until 2002 when the system came into full operation. The District Council returned to the Liberal Democrats being the largest and running the Cabinet in June 2004.

Wheathampstead Liberal Democrats try to keep in close touch with residents through their regular FOCUS leaflet giving up to date facts and seeking residents' views on local issues.

Some of our successes over the past ten years have included:

• New Changing Rooms at Folly Fields
• Re-opening playing fields at the former senior school for junior football and cricket
• New Community Centre Hilldyke
• New Cycleway Leasey Bridge Lane to Harpenden
• Recycling throughout most of the village
• Free weekly bus Hilldyke via Lea Valley Estate to Somerfield Supermarket
• Stopping the re-opening of Blackbridge Tip
• Successfully campaigning for local children to go to an acceptable local secondary school
• Had 30 mph speed limit installed on Lower Luton Road

We have also been involved in major campaigns:

• To have a Sainsbury's Supermarket in the village. (Killed off by our Tory MP)

Members and Helpers

We welcome new members and/or helpers. We run a Consultation Group of interested residents some of whom are formal Members, others supporters in a less formal manner. Our Lib Dem Councillors are concerned to ensure we react to the wishes of residents and the consultation group is an important source of feedback.

Useful Telephone Numbers