Simi Cumberbatch, a rooted, practical voice for Banbury, Hardwick

Simi Cumberbatch was born in Banbury and has spent her life rooted in the town she cares about.

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She lives locally, keeps an allotment, and deals with the same everyday issues as her neighbours, from potholes to stretched services and rising housing costs. When residents say worn roads make travel harder, that local infrastructure is under pressure, and that soaring house prices create uncertainty, Simi isn’t surprised. These are exactly the concerns people raise with her on the doorstep and the issues she is determined to tackle.

Simi brings a rare combination of environmental expertise, frontline healthcare experience and a hands‑on approach to community problems. Having worked in NHS pharmacy with GP surgeries and local hospitals, she understands the human stories behind the headlines: missed appointments, delayed treatments, and the stress that comes when services are at breaking point. In her current role in the environmental sector, she sees how everything connects such as planning, flooding, wildlife, transport and economic pressures and works to protect people, nature and local places. Her work includes reviewing environmental information, supporting flood‑resilience planning, safeguarding habitats and enabling sustainable, well‑planned growth.

Simi doesn’t just talk about community; she shows up for it. As a Banbury Flood Warden, she helps spot early warning signs and get problems dealt with before they grow. She volunteers on local litter picks and community improvement projects because she believes that consistent, practical action builds stronger, safer neighbourhoods. When sheds on her allotment site were burgled, Simi turned detective: she used tracking devices on her tools, helped the police recover stolen items, and showed calm under pressure, attention to detail and a willingness to stand up for her community.

Simi is standing to give Banbury Hardwick a stronger, better‑informed voice on the issues that matter most: fixing our failing infrastructure, protecting our town from flooding, safeguarding the green spaces we love, and making sure growth works for local people rather than pushing them out. If you want someone who understands Banbury from the ground up and will work tirelessly for residents, Simi Cumberbatch is ready to represent you.