Cllr SSD – 15 years in Northwood

Overview• First elected in May 1998 at age 26• Seen a change of both Cllr colleagues and

committee members – a consistent member of the ward team

• Always approached Northwood as an unfinished challenge, regardless of voting patterns

• Engaged with residents, officers, colleagues and other organisations to bring benefits to the ward

• Delivered significant successes for Northwood• Built up a strong personal network across the ward• Always tried to stand by 'what is right, not just

popular' on local issues• Well regarded by the public• Active in the ward community • Balances work and Council life well; supported by

shared resources at the Civic and resource on his personal staff

1998

Around Northwood“Scott is our local Councillor and a well known and well liked figure in the community.

His reputation is one of objectivity and a fair-minded, practical approach to the often emotional situations which may occur in people's day to day lives.

He represents all sectors of society irrespective of their own political views and, to my certain knowledge, has foregone his own leisure activities in order to support his constituents.

I consider his combination of warmth, common sense and objectivity to be a winning one in all senses of the word...”

Catherine Amos, Northwood Resident

Some Highlights• Successfully built a close relationship with NRA negating threats to 'field NRA

candidates' in the ward• Brought investment of over £1m to the Green Lane project• Gained funding and set up Crowe’s Nest in an area of the ward outside typical

‘Tory Territory’• Raised substantial funds through various events delivering mutual aid to

neighbouring wards and constituencies in the name of Northwood• Assisted in campaigning locally and nationally• Raised over 2/3

rds of all member enquiries for the ward in the past 2 years and a consistent member of the top ten Cllrs by member enquiry numbers

• Launched the Northwood website for the 3 Cllrs, before the Association had a site• Raised ward profile with high impact In Touches• Managed the election campaign for Cllr Melvin and saw off a Liberal threat where

they had a local candidate and enhanced ground activity

Putting Residents First

“Dear ScottThank you so much for your rapid and most effective response to my call for help. Once again you rose to the occasion and provided us with the best support. All best wishes, JB”

“Dear Scott,Many thanks for your

involvement in this. I really appreciate it. Regards,

Gillian”

We have known the Councillor in his capacity as ward Councillor, Northwood for many years.

He has always acted in the best interests of his ward residents diligently, conscientiously and with great effort even in the face of severe opposition.

We have no hesitation in endorsing his reselection as the Conservative candidate for our ward.

Mr and Mrs D & P C

Member EnquiriesTOTAL 2012

Cllr SSDCllr RLCllr CM

• Consistent performance on ME submitted and dealt with• Covering all aspects of resident and business queries• Log kept of all ME's to ensure clear up is delivered by officers• Escalation after 10 days and 30 days to Corporate Director level• May 2010 to June 2012:

Total ME for Northwood = 287Total raised by Cllr SSD = 197 69% raised by Cllr SSD, an average of 8 per month

NRA – building bridges

• Quarterly meetings with NRA set up and attended

• Action lists of concerns raised and dealt with• NRA newsletter articles contributed for each

issue• Assisted NRA in raising grant investment to

improve their IT and website• Instrumental in assisting the joint ward Jubilee

event to take place in 2012

Around Northwood“I have had the pleasure of working closely with Scott over the past couple of years in my capacity as MP for Watford and recently as Vice Chairman of the Party.He has hugely impressed me in his approach to constituency work. Much of what we are doing in Watford with the BME community, specifically ethnic engagement, has evolved from discussions with Scott. Scott strikes me as a diligent Councillor with a clear vision as to how he can develop the community which he represents. I find it a pleasure working with him.”

Richard Harrington MP for Watford, Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party

Local Campaigning• Led the 2009

Northwood by-Election campaign

• Euro elections engaged locally with ‘street stand’

• GE 2010/2005/2002• Council elections• In Touches developed

and written

Action, not Words• Waste bin outside house – made aware of issue after 6 years of resident

fighting it, refused repositioning by officers. Cllr SSD intervened when made aware of this and bin moved in 48 hours

• Fly tipping - typical removal time over 15 sample ME's was <48 hours – mattress moved within 45 minutes of contact with Corporate Director

• Complex social service issues - 9 month issues of rehousing problems of disabled 30 year old and young family secured with sensible long term support options after initial officer refusal - plan of action commenced within 3 weeks

• Planning enforcement - worked with details from NRA to address enforcement issues and deliver action within weeks, not years

• Planning permissions - helped disabled resident overturn officer refusal for bathroom adjustments after two refusals, wrote to planning and addressed committee members to explain the issue

In Touch and Communications

• Website developed for the ward

• In Touches prepared to show input to ward and borough

• Public ward forums established to engage directly with residents

Around Northwood“I have had the pleasure of working closely with Scott over the past year, in my capacity as Chief Executive for Michael Sobell Hospice Charity. He has been an incredible asset. Scott is incredibly well-informed about both his ward and Borough and immediately understood how important our service is to our local community. He is both dedicated and knowledgeable in his role of Councillor.

He has worked with our Charity Team bringing his valuable business experience, skills and knowledge and contacts to help increase our fundraising income. His enthusiasm and passion for the work that we do has seen him take part in a some enduring fundraising, proving that he is happy to beyond the call of duty.

Scott’s own words to me in an email brilliantly sum him up: “I am rather renowned for running at things a million miles an hour - I get so excited by ideas and networks and I am frankly happy to help in any way I can”

Helen Elliott, CEO, Michael Sobell House Hospice, Northwood

Fundraising

• Raised significant funds from the Northwood Ball – used for mutual aid pre election• Donated directly to funds with holiday vouchers for stay at weekend cottage• Provided funds to allow the 2011 Northwood Ward trip to go ahead• Supported local causes via fundraising (half marathons, bikeathon around London, London to Brighton bike ride) and from ball funds

Officers’ Views“Scott is one of the next generation of Elected Councillors. As a Cabinet Member, he has led the organisation effectively on some of the critical issues affecting modern local government, such as e-procurement, energy use, efficiency and more streamlined internal processes and practices.

“His commitment to doing 'more for less and better' has thereby helped the organisation improve it public services and invest more in residents' priority areas.

“Always putting people first, Scott is an active supporter of a number of good causes and as Children’s Champion he aims to improve the life chances of children in care. In recognition of his own personal development, Scott has been hand-picked for an innovative national programme designed to identify future leaders”

Officers’ Views“Scott and I worked together on a print management contract and his experience as a senior procurement practitioner was invaluable to the eventual success of the project.”

“a committed member of the cabinet, and a motivated and dedicated individual”

“Scott performs the role of Executive Councillor with skill and determination and brings his own business experience to bear in his work. He is both constructively challenging and pragmatic and has an excellent grasp of the political/officer interface”

“Scott is a tremendous supporter of the development of the procurement function in the London Borough of Hillingdon. Through his professional expertise and desire to transform the organisation, he has assisted and challenged me to improve the service.With Scott's help and support we have delivered significant cashable savings for the Borough, increased the profile of procurement and had some fun along the way !”

2010 Party Endorsements

Nick Hurd MP, Minister for Civil Society

Cllr Ray Graham, RNPCA Chairman

Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State

Investment in Northwood

• Working with an original idea from Dr Baker and the NRA, Cllr SSD led the Green Lane project

• Over £1m Investment into the ward around Green Lane and Maxwell Road

• Over £40k delivered to reclaim a closed park for residents in the Ward

Around Northwood“I wish to support the reselection of Cllr SSD as ward Councillor for Northwood. Scott has, over the past years, represented Northwood diligently and with extreme effectiveness. He has the confidence of local residents and works with and for them on local problems regardless of personal political persuasion.

As President of NRA I get to see his effectiveness as a Councillor more closely than most and to fail to retain his services would be a mistake of near epic proportions. I thoroughly endorse his application for reselection.”

Alan Prue, Lib Dem Candidate 2008, President of Northwood Residents’ Association

Officers’ Views“Scott takes a strategic approach to business delivery, with a strong focus on outcomes. He brings strong business acumen to the organisation, with a clear commitment to drive forward improvements and innovation. Scott is a strong community advocate and champion, ensuring that policy development is driven with a clear focus on making a difference”

“Scott was overseeing the Procurement Transformation project at the London Borough of Hillingdon. He was extremely supportive of the project and expert at Stakeholder relationships, ensuring that any internal barriers to change were quickly turned around by demonstrating the benefits that would ensue from them getting onboard rather than resisting.”

National Politics• Added 50% more votes to the party in

2010 over 2005• Created national media noise around H&H• Raised £25k in just over a week• Supported H&H council candidates with

national campaign spend• Distracted local and national Labour and

Union resources to come and assist John McDonnell – thanks given by three new London MPs

• Helped further increase awareness on 3rd runway

• Brought Shadow Cabinet and Party Leader to Hillingdon – David Cameron, George Osborne and Michael Gove

• Has declined invite to remain on candidate list to focus on local politics

Press• http://northwood.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/2012/02/new-zebra-crossing-for-

northwo.html • http://www.justgiving.com/SCOTT-SEAMAN-DIGBY-MOONRIDE • http://www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/west-london-news/local-uxbridge-news/2010/0

8/10/lies-aim-to-stop-copse-wood-conservation-area-plan-113046-27036656/

• http://www.northwoodresidents.co.uk/northwood_residents_association/images/stories/DocsLink/Newsletters/oct10

• http://www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/west-london-news/local-uxbridge-news/2010/10/28/red-light-jumpers-cause-concern-in-northwood-113046-27559485/

• http://northwood.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/2011/11/planning-issues-explained-at-n.html

• http://northwood.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/2011/12/santas-dash-for-northwood-hosp.html

• http://northwood.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/2011/06/residents-dealt-bitter-blow-as.html