As a Councillor, my role is diverse.

Full statement

I have served as the chair of the Children and Young People’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee, where I have addressed critical issues such as child poverty and the role of family hubs in nurturing young children. This experience has been invaluable as a school governor for two primary schools in the Crook area.

I regularly attend meetings to monitor and make decisions on service delivery. I also communicate with various organisations, including the police, fire service, public health, housing associations, and the banking industry. Additionally, I take up issues on behalf of residents, addressing matters such as pest control and anti-social behaviour.

Over the past eight years, I have had the opportunity to participate in community events and contribute to the development of projects. For example, I co-organized an event to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the passing of Diana, Princess of Wales. I was instrumental in establishing and supporting the free hot meals delivery service, ‘The Meals Orchard,’ during the pandemic. I also allocated funding to create ‘The Hobbit Hut,’ a tranquil learning space installed in the garden of Howden Primary School, where children can engage with nature while studying.

Responsibilities:

– Sourced and directed funding for the festive lights and Christmas tree.

– Initiated conversations with Barclays Bank directors, who assured me that a banking hub would be established in Crook on March 14th 2025, with up to five different banking organisations.

– Directed funding and opened The Community Garden at Foundry Fields.

– Campaigned for the establishment of a garden centre in Crook.

– Attended an event to commemorate the induction of Crook’s renowned football manager, ‘Jack Greenwell,’ into the Football Hall of Fame in Manchester.

Commitment:

I am fully committed to providing the necessary support to all residents, particularly in this modern society.

Election of a County Councillor:

Election of a County Councillor is not an employed position. There is no wage; instead, we receive a yearly allowance, along with the appropriate rate of travel allowance to and from Council meetings.

Key Belief:

Furthermore, I believe that prioritising people over politics is essential for the success and inclusivity of a community.