James lives on North Western Avenue, and can seen multiple times a day walking his dog around the area.
James is originally from Bricket Wood, and attended school at Garston's St. Michael’s Catholic High School. He built up a strong affinity and love for Watford (although he's an Arsenal fan when it comes to the football).
As a qualified inclusion specialist teacher and former mental health care worker, education and social care couldn’t be closer to his heart. He currently works in international cyber security software sales.
James can be contacted at james.fanning@watford.team
My plan for Leggatts is to:
- Reduce Watford's Council Tax - which is by far the highest in Hertfordshire, and is almost 50% higher than the average imposed by Hertfordshire's Conservative councils.
- Stop high-rises in Watford - Watford Lib Dems passed a Local Plan that allows further high-rises across our town. This is despite the Government repeatedly telling the council that it was not obliged to, and the scrapping of housing targets in December. I will oppose high-rises and ensure developments have appropriate infrastructure.
- Zero tolerance to littering and anti-social behaviour - While serious crime is the responsibility of Herts Police, which have put record numbers on our streets, it's the job of the council to stop anti-social behaviour and littering. I will take a no-nonsense, zero-tolerance approach, and ensure pride is restored to our area.
- Protect our green spaces - Leggatts is blessed by a number of invaluable green spaces, giving local people lungs to breathe. From the allotments to the Harebreaks Rec and Wood, it's vital that we protect them.
- Oppose ULEZ expansion - From August, many local residents are due to be clobbered by £12.50 to drive into Greater London - including as nearby as Hatch End. Lib Dems and Labour voted for it, but Conservatives voted against it. Conservative councillors will add their voices to Conservative councils both inside and outside London who have challenged it formally and legally.
- Scrap the Lib Dems' Garden Tax - Watford charges residents £50 to collect garden waste, imposing a further stealth tax on north Watford residents. I will scrap it and make it free, as in Bushey in Conservative-run Hertsmere.
- Tackle endless roadworks - I will press to introduce a scheme, as in councils like Buckinghamshire, to coordinate and speed up roadworks, to end the constant works that bring our roads to a halt.