"The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and
open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values
of liberty, equality and community, and in which no-one shall
be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity."
(Preamble to the Party Constitution).
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CLLR LORNA SPENCELEY - STAPLE TYE WARD
Contact Cllr Lorna Spenceley
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Cllr Lorna Spenceley
171 Spring Hills, Harlow CM20 1TD
tel 01279 324676
fax 020 8020 2943
mobile 07930 337596
email Cllr Lorna Spenceley
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About Lorna
Cllr Lorna Spenceley has represented Staple Tye ward, and its predecessor Stewards ward, since 1991. For 14 years Lorna was leader
of the Liberal Democrat group on Harlow Council, and led the council alone or jointly from 2002 to 2005.
Lorna was the Liberal Democrats' parliamentary candidate for the Harlow constituency in 1992, 1997, 2001 and 2005.
This year Lorna is Chairman of Harlow Council - a post that she says gives her the opportunity to see a whole different side
of Harlow, meeting residents and organisations she otherwise wouldn't have come into contact with.
Lorna has lived in Harlow since 1981, with her husband Nick - vice principal at Harlow College - and their two (now adult) children.
She works from home two days a week as a training administrator.
Lorna doesn't have much spare time, but she enjoys reading (she's a member of the council's reading group), travelling and spending
time with the family's pet border collie cross. She's currently trying to teach herself Italian.
Roles and responsibilities
- Chairman, Harlow Council
- Member, Harlow Council Audit & Improvement Committee
- Member, Harlow Council Planning Committee
- Chairman, Harlow Council Improvement Group
- Chairman, Harlow Community Legal Services Partnership
- Substitute, European New Towns Platform
- Member, Harlow Recreation Trust
- Representative, Harlow Town Twinning Association
- Representative, Local Government Association New Towns Special Interest Group
- Member, Scrutiny Panel, Local Government Association
Why I'm a Liberal Democrat
"I joined the party in 1987 - the day after the General Election which gave Margaret Thatcher her third term of office as
Prime Minister. I remember waking up, hearing the result - and deciding I had to do something to help stop the woman and what she
was doing to ("there's no such thing as") society.
I want a society that's free and fair, that cares about poverty and disadvantage, that treats people like grown-ups and that will
look after our environment for the next generation. I'm angry at Tony Blair's government for breaking its promises - on tuition fees
for the young, on care for the elderly, and on the environment for just about everyone. The legacy of his misguided decision to go to
war in Iraq will affect us for decades to come.
Here in Harlow, I want our young people to have the chance of a home near their family, a good education to fit them for good
local jobs, and leisure opportunities for their spare time. I want a green, clean, safe and healthy environment, and good public
transport to link us to the rest of our region and reduce our dependence on the motor car."
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Current issues
At the moment, my top priority as a councillor is trying to help resolve the flooding that overwhelmed so many residents in
Staple Tye in June and July. I attended the special meeting of the scrutiny committee that my Liberal Democrat colleagues Chris
Robins and Linda Pailing were instrumental in setting up, and I'll be pressing for effective action from all agencies concerned.
I'm also trying to resolve some of the highways problems in the ward - including the accidents that occur outside St James's School,
parking near Lister House and (at last!) the installation of a one-way system in Moorfield. Conservative-run Essex County Council
has ignored the state of our roads and pavements for too long!
The regeneration plans for the area round Staple Tye shopping centre will also have a major effect on the ward. I also hope they will
provide the long-awaited opportunity for a one-way system for Longbanks.
10 things you didn't know about Lorna
1. Lorna was born in Jersey, in the Channel Islands.
2. Lorna's grandmother came from Archangel in North Russia.
3. One of Lorna's hobbies is walking with wolves at the UK Wolf Conservation Trust.
4. Lorna played piano regularly in the Jersey Eisteddfod until the age of 16.
5. At university, Lorna studied Old Icelandic.
6. Lorna's mother appeared in Cilla Black's TV programme Surprise, Surprise!.
7. Lorna was in the children's dance troupe for the Jersey pantomime in 1968.
8. Lorna has a passion for information technology - she's already on her second BlackBerry.
9. Lorna is short sighted in one eye and long sighted in the other.
10. Lorna's parents were active members of the Communist Party of Great Britain.
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