- Yes to guarding against the over development of Clophill
- Yes to more Independent Scrutiny of Central Beds Council
- Yes to a safer place to live by combatting speeding
- Yes to being listened to by CBC over the Clophill Roundabout
- Yes to better roads and paths
- Yes to being kept informed
- Yes to being independent
- Ampthill Town Mayor (2005/2006 & 2021/2022)
- Ampthill Town Councillor (1997 – 2023)
- Mid Beds District Councillor (2007 – 2009)
- Central Beds Councillor (2011 – 2015 & 2019 -2023)
Trustee/Committee Member of these local groups:
- Ampthill & Flitwick Good Neighbours – Founder and Chairman of this community care scheme, whereby those that can help voluntarily offer assistance to those in need in Ampthill Maulden, Millbrook, Flitwick, Steppingley and Westoning
- Ampthill Festival – Committee member for over 20 years
- Mid Beds Citizens Advice – Volunteer and now a trustee
- Respite at Home Volunteers – trustee
- Russell Lower School – former governor
- Ampthill Mayor (2008/2009)
- Ampthill Town Councillor (2003/2011 & 2022/23)
- Mid Beds District Councillor (2001 – 2009)
- Bedfordshire County Councillor (2005 – 2009)
- Central Beds Councillor (2009 – 2011)
Trustee/Committee Member of these local groups:
- Ampthill Festival Chairman (2000 – 2005)
- Ampthill Angling Club – President
- Russell Lower School – former Governor
‘I have been very honoured to serve as your Independent Councillor for Clophill on Central Beds Council over the past 4 years. I have done my best to represent you, deal with your issues and keep you informed over that time. At this election I am standing with my good friend Gary Summerfield and if we are elected we will do our level best to serve you ’ Cllr Mark Smith
Yes to guarding against the over development of Clophill
- Guarding against over development and the protection of our green spaces is important to Clophill, and to Gary and I.
- The fact that Clophill has a Neighbourhood Plan in development will afford the village a greater level of protection from continued speculative planning applications.
- Gary and I will continue to support Clophill Parish Council in fighting further speculative applications.
Yes to more Independent Scrutiny of Central Beds Council
- Over the past 4 years the 16 Independent councillors on Central Beds Council have held the Conservative controlled administration to account like never before.
- For example, highlighting failings in Special Educational Needs & Disabilities provision, lavish special responsibility councillor allowances and an over reliance on expensive consultants etc. You can view over 80 Facebook posts I have made over the past 4 years, detailing the shenanigans engulfing our local authorities: https://tinyurl.com/8hab5b6h
- If elected Gary and I will ensure this effective scrutiny continues.
Yes to a safer place to live by combatting speeding
- Like many communities the issue of speeding has blighted the roads throughout the village and on the adjoining A507.
- Over the past 4 years I have fought hard for highway safety measures, including the reduction in speed limits along the A507 and associated safety measures.
Yes to being listened to by CBC over the Clophill Roundabout
- Is the redevelopment of the Clophill Roundabout solving a problem that simply wasn’t there? The results of the consultation by Central Beds Council of local residents were predominantly negative and seem to back this view.
- The trouble is Central Beds Council only carried out this consultation once funding had been secured from the Government’s Levelling Fund and not at the outset of the project. This presents a complete failure of community engagement, as local views should have been paramount from the outset.
- There will be some benefits, like the toucan crossing that will be installed connecting the community with Maulden. Supposedly, due to the disruption, CBC will be implementing traffic safety measures on key Clophill roads, including speed reduction initiatives. Did it really need the roundabout works to bring forward these much needed measures? Gary and I will ensure residents voices are heard and not ignored in the future.
Yes to better roads and paths
- We deserve decent paths and roads to prevent damage and injuries
- During the past year I surveyed residents and asked that problem roads and pavements were reported to me. I in turn reported them to CBC Highways, with resulting action in most cases. Gary and I will keep pushing for swift action on pot holes and over the state of our roads/paths.
Yes to being kept informed 24/7
- For over a decade I have kept Clophill informed via my Ampthill.info & Cllr Mark Smith social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), plus via my Cllr Mark Smith website and my newsletters. Gary and I pledge to continue to keep you informed as your elected representatives.
