Ben has lived in Caterham for most of his life, apart from a brief stint at the University of Edinburgh.

Full statement

Going to school on the Hill and in the Valley, Ben has grown up with Caterham as it has changed, sometimes slowly and sometimes rapidly over the last 30 years. Elected for the first time in 2024, Ben serves as a Parish and District Councillor for Caterham Hill, and now leads his group on the District Council. He is standing as a candidate for the East Surrey Unitary, Caterham Hill Division.

The changes coming to Surrey and to Caterham & Chaldon through Local Government Reorganisation will be big, and Ben is keenly aware of the effect this will have on residents and services. The new Unitary Council will have on day one big challenges, and Ben is determined to make sure that Caterham & Chaldon residents don’t pay for other councils past mistakes. While the 2 parishes might be on the edge of East Surrey, Ben will make sure their voice is heard when it matters.

As a councillor, Ben has worked hard at both parish and district councils to bring local assets, such as the Westway Common and Westway & Heath Road allotments back under parish control with greater resident access and oversight. When it comes to amenities in our community, Ben firmly believes that Caterham & Chaldon residents know best what to do and how to run our own assets which we all rely on.

Caterham Hill & Chaldon have many areas of local unspoilt natural beauty, and Ben will be a fierce champion in preserving the Green Belt in our communities. Housing development targets from Westminster and speculative property developers cannot come at the expense of the parts of countryside that make living and raising a family here so wholesome, and Ben will fight to make sure that does not change.