This will be one of my last columns as the Elected Mayor of Watford. Having done the job for 16 years, I know there will be those who will cheer; you can’t do this job without upsetting some groups of people. I hope many more will look back on my tenure and feel that, together, we have made Watford an even better place to live.

It has been an honour and a privilege to serve our town. Though at times it’s been tough, I have truly enjoyed being able to meet and work with so many people who share the same aspirations for Watford and who truly want to make things better.

The job is a unique one and one that I believe has served our town well. Surely it is better that you choose the political leader of the town and not a group of biggest party’s councillors as under the old leader model. Such a Mayor has a legitimate political mandate and is highly visible and therefore much more accountable to those who elect them.

We have challenges ahead, not least of all in making sure our hospital is fit for purpose. My battle with the allotment holders was well documented in these pages but it was indeed the right decision and I only hope that we can now start to see the improvements to buildings, new facilities and car parks. We deserve to match the quality of care we do currently get, some of it world class.

Housing is our number one issue. We have a national housing crisis and Watford has, to date, met its housing targets - with plenty of healthy opposition, but we have done it. The new targets being forced upon us by central government are impossible to meet within our own boundaries.

On the money side, whilst I have made healthy finances and value for money a top priority, everyone is aware government grants to local councils have been massively cut. Things are only going to get tougher. That will be for a new Mayor to deal with, but one thing is certain. They will find the council in a better state than the one I inherited.

- Dorothy Thornhill is elected Mayor of Watford