The Labour candidate in this year’s mayoral elections wants to bring public services back “in house”.

Cllr Jagtar Singh Dhindsa is chairman of Watford Council and deputy leader of Watford Labour group, but is setting his sights higher this year after 20 years as a councillor.

The 56-year-old is hoping to fill mayor Dorothy Thornhill’s shoes when she steps down in May, and wants public services to be the responsibility of the council.

He said: “Watford needs a change after 16 years with the Liberal Democrats.

“I want to be an ambassador of Watford and plan to bring services such as refuse collections, parks and street cleaning in house, as they should be the council’s responsibility rather than opting for privatisation.”

Cllr Singh Dhindsa’s main priorities include working with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to push forward with the Met Line Extension, along with building a new hospital.

He said: “I plan to cut the cost of the Mayor’s office of £210,000 by 50 per cent and hold a referendum on whether the town actually needs a mayor.

"I will also try to tackle fly-tipping. I’m in favour of introducing CCTV to catch those who dump rubbish.

“I also want to build more social housing and will ensure new developments include 50 per cent affordable homes rather than the current 35 per cent.”

Cllr Singh Dhindsa has lived in Watford for 45 years so has seen a number of changes over the years.

He was born in Punjab, India but his family moved to Watford when he was 10-years-old due to his father’s connections with the British army.

He did an apprenticeship at Rolls Royce but now works at the Mount Prison in Bovingdon, which involves repairing bikes and painting them bright red.

He said: “I could use my experience of living here to make the town a better place.”

Watch Jagtar explain why he should be the next Mayor of Watford: 

Conservative candidate George Jabbour and Liberal Democrat candidate and deputy mayor Cllr Peter Taylor are also standing in the mayoral election.

George Jabbour lists his reasons for standing in the election: 

Cllr Taylor has been contacted.