Cllr Steven Patmore

05/06/2026

26/05/2026

I want to address some of the comments and accusations following the Chair and Vice Chair elections at North Herts Council last Thursday.

As one of the Conservative councillors who voted for Keith Hoskins as Chair and Sean Prendergast as Vice Chair, I can say clearly that my vote had absolutely nothing to do with sexism, and to suggest otherwise is both unfair and deeply disappointing.

Keith Hoskins has done an excellent job as Chair over the last year during what have been some very difficult and politically challenging circumstances for the council. He has shown fairness, professionalism and an ability to work constructively across party lines. That experience and stability mattered when making this decision.

Likewise, Sean Prendergast was elected because councillors believed he was the right candidate for the role of Vice Chair.

This was not a vote against Sadie Billing personally. Sadie has worked hard as Vice Chair and I wish her well going forward. However, conventions are exactly that — conventions, not rules. Councillors are elected to use their judgement and vote for who they believe is best suited to the role at that time.

I completely agree with Cllr Ralph Muncer’s comments that the accusations of sexism are “absolutely preposterous”. The reality is that North Herts currently has a minority Labour administration at a crucial time for local government, and many councillors across different groups felt it was important to ensure balanced leadership and maintain confidence across the chamber.

People may disagree with the outcome, and that is perfectly fair in politics, but accusing councillors of sexism simply because they exercised democratic judgement is wrong and risks undermining genuine equality issues.

Labour also failed in a bid to re-elect Cllr Billing as vice-chair, with the position instead going to Liberal Democrat Sean Prendergast.

05/05/2026

As many will be aware, on Thursday (7th May) many across the country will be going to the polls for the local elections.

Whilst there are no elections to Hertfordshire County Council or North Herts Council this year, residents in Knebworth, Codicote and Kimpton received poll cards due to elections to their respective Parish Council taking place.

However, due to the elections in all three Parishes being ‘uncontested’, a poll will not now be taking place on Thursday and therefore, you do not need to go to the polling station and you can discard your poll card.

My congratulations goes to all those Parish Councillors, both old and new, who have been elected and I look forward to continuing to work closely with the Parish Councils in Knebworth, Codicote and Kimpton to try and tackle the issues which matter most to you and your family.

01/05/2026

Oh, behave! We can hardly hold in our excitement!

Kimpton May Festival 2026 is on it's way... celebrating 60 years of May Festivication, what a testament to the village and community!

From all of the Purple Army, we hope you have a fabulous festival weekend!
Yeah, baby, yeah!

03/03/2026

I’ll be in town this Saturday, so if there’s anything you’d like to raise or need help with, please do come and see me.

27/02/2026

Last night, the Conservatives at North Herts Council proposed something unthinkable to the opposition both inside and outside of the Council Chamber.

We proposed to cut Council Tax this year and ensure
it is frozen for the year after and until Local Government Reorganisation in 2028.

However, Labour and the Liberal Democrats blocked our plans by voting against our proposed cut to Council Tax, instead choosing to increase it but the maximum allowed without a referendum.

27/02/2026

The budget for the next financial year (April 2026 to March 2027) was approved by councillors at the Full Council meeting on 26 February🏛️

The agreed budget sets out how the Council will continue to deliver essential services while investing in facilities, public spaces and initiatives that support healthier, greener and safer communities across North Herts.

The commitments in the budget include:

✅ £4.75 million investment in a new learner pool at Royston Leisure Centre
✅ £200,000 investment in an interactive water play area at North Herts Leisure Centre
✅ £200,000 investment in new digital and other signage for car parks in Hitchin
✅ MOU (memorandum of understanding) funding allocated to Citizens Advice (£194k), North Herts CVS (£30k) and North Herts Minority Ethnic Forum (£15k)
✅ Increased funding for Community Safety projects and initiatives to reduce crime and tackle fly-tipping
✅ £295,000 investment in green spaces across the district, including sustainable planting borders, repairs and improvements to footpaths, feasibility work to develop the Grange Recreation Ground in Letchworth and creating allotment provision in Great Ashby, and the creation of a habitat bank at Radburn Way to support wildlife and biodiversity.

The budget consultation survey carried out last summer helped inform decisions regarding targeted one-off investments, and highlighted the importance of parks and green spaces, as well as community safety.

In line with the majority of district and borough councils in Hertfordshire, the North Herts Council portion of council tax will rise by 2.99%. This means the North Herts element of the council tax bill for a Band D property will increase by £8.01 per year, or 15p per week.

We will continue to have a banded Council Tax Reduction Scheme for working age people that means that the poorest households do not need to pay any Council Tax.

Council tax bills will be issued to households in March and include details of how money is allocated between North Herts Council, Hertfordshire County Council, the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner and any parish or town councils in the area.

Link to full news article in the comments ⬇️