Councillor Derek McCrum

My Ward covers The Barnsbury Estate as well as the Villages of Kingfield and Westfield.

I actually live in Westfield overlooking Westfield Common.

I am married to Rosemary who is Chair of  Woking Liberal Democrats.

I have two children, Anita (24) who is a staffnurse in the Cardiology Unit at The Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, and Steve (23) who works in local government.

Initially my interests have centred on the local environment, ensuring that the streets and pavements are clean with pot holes mended, trip hazards eliminated and trees and bushes cut back, especially where street lights are obscured and street lights repaired etc.

More recently I have concentrated on children's play facilities in the ward. I find it completely frustrating that there are no facilities on the Barnsbury Estate. I called a meeting with representatives of the Council, the Police and Chairs of the 4 Residents Associations in the Ward. Hopefully this will result in improved facilities on Ash Rd. Bonsey Lane, Loop Rd. and Balfour Ave.

Planning issues have the most impact with a possible 1,500+ new houses being built in South Woking within 6-10 years. Twice I opposed the 22 to be built on Newlands Avenue, not just because of the flooding but because of the social impact on the Westfield Estate, of cramming "homes" into an already full estate. I have no intention in letting the same happen in Barnsbury Estate where back door infill is proposed. I continue to work for solutions to the exits from Barnsbury Estate.

Parking is always an issue and a prime target for me in 2008. Enforcement is not working in this ward and the many double yellow lines promised by Surrey County Council are yet to appear.

I have worked hard trying to revive  Residents' Associations on the Barnsbury and Westfield Estates and have initiated the setting up of three new Associations, Westfield (Hoe Valley), Moor Lane Area and Egley Road Area Associations. I would like to help set up one in Kingfield, especially near the Village Centre. Attending committee meetings helps me to keep in contact with residents and represent their views in Council which is after all my primary function !

I am a member of the Local Agenda 21 Liaison Committee and represent WBC as a Governor of Woking College.