It’s Tim(e)

After months of confusion the Government has now confirmed there will be elections to Kent County Council in May.

There is a Government drive to merge County and District Councils in Kent.

It's likely the next 2 years will be about agreeing those mergers, their terms, and delivering them.

I don't like all the suggestions. A local council for more than 500,000 people (which is the Government aim) simply isn't local any more.

But I know how councils at all levels work. Over the last 20 years I’ve represented our area on the County Council, the District Council, Hythe Town Council, Folkestone Town Council and Sandgate Parish Council.

There is simply no-one with more experience of our Councils at all levels locally.

I know how to get things done. I'll stick to what I say.

I am determined that our area gets the best possible deal from a new Council. And I will fight to deliver it.

I’ve lived and worked in Sandgate for over 20 years. However many years our councils have left, I'm determined to bring my practical experience to Kent County Council, and the negotiations to end it.

I have a strong record of speaking up for our area, and not being afraid to speak truth to power. I will continue to do so.

The situation is hard. We need our best representatives to fight for us. And my record speaks for itself.

So I will be standing for election to Kent County Council in May for Cheriton, Sandgate and Hythe East. In 2021 I failed to win the same division by 21 votes.

I will try hard to do better this time: with YOUR help.

Giving It My All

If elected I can only promise I will work hard for you.

As a District Councillor I’ve dealt with hundreds of local issues. I’ve spoken up at hundreds of meetings. I’ve sent thousands of emails to get things done.

I’ve run a monthly drop-in surgery since 2019 in Sandgate, where local residents raise issues for me to work on. And as a County Councillor, I would do the same again.

I can't perform miracles. But I will, and can, speak up for my neighbours, friends and fellow residents here. And always have.

Our County Council is still important in delivering local services. Designing a successor to deliver them better is critical.

Any more power being a County Councillor gives to improve our buses, social care, schools, adult education, local libraries: I'll use.

Any more power it gives to fix our atrocious roads: I'll use.

That’s not just about getting Kent Highways to fill more potholes (although they should).

It includes getting our utilities to do the job right first time. We’ve seen the farce of Southern Water digging up the same piece of Sandgate High Street every other month failing to fix the same problem. Do it right first time or pay a fine.

And developers like Taylor Wimpey need to take responsibility for the damage their construction traffic is doing to our roads. Pond Hill Road and others locally are being destroyed by their lorries. It’s time they fixed them, or paid for it to be done.