Local News 
Letter to the local press
Thank you for the excellent editorial in last week's Borehamwood & Elstree Times. The Labour Party members on Hertsmere borough and town councils couldn't agree more.
The Community Shop has been an extremely valuable resource for many people in Borehamwood.
The facts are these. Between January and March 2007, 160 people accessed the services provided by the staff, despite the fact that the shop was closed during the best part of March.
Two youth projects were run by the staff - how many of those are there for free in the area? And many older people needed help with Adult Care Services, and with filling in forms.
Cowley Hill was granted a regeneration budget several years ago because of a proven need.
There are over 300 lone parents and over 600 people engaged in unpaid caring; one third of 16 to 74-year-olds have no formal qualifications; there are health problems and the nearest doctor is two miles away.
In simple terms, Cowley Hill ward is one of the most 'deprived' wards in Hertfordshire.
The Community Shop and its staff are a beacon of light and hope in the neighbourhood and have helped and supported countless residents.
How shameful of a Conservative council to make them redundant. Where will residents be able to access help now?
The shop may be kept open, but without sympathetic staff it will be a white elephant.
As your editorial so eloquently stated, 'without the dedicated, knowledgeable staff to run projects and give advice everyday, its use will at best be limited'.
There are plans for Investors in Communities to fund several projects in the area and, at a presentation and discussion held recently, everyone agreed the Shop and its staff were in an ideal position to be the focal point of activity.
They have the local knowledge and the trust of the community. How unforgivably shameful to give them their redundancy notices the day after that meeting.
We Labour councillors give our promise to the people of Borehamwood that we will do everything in our power to keep this vital resource in the community.
We will have a petition at our stall at Families Day on July 7, and would urge all members of the community to sign it.
Labour councillors Ann Harrison, Di Hoeksma, Ernie Butler, Ian Feeney, Peter Hedges, Graham Franklin and Richard Butler
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