About Me…
I have lived in the ward for the past 13 years with my wife Rachael and our four daughters. Between the four of them they attend South View, Deeping School and University Academy Holbeach. I work in the IT industry and have over 10 years experience of working in the Public sector for Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire County Councils. I have also worked in the Charity and private sector.
We chose to live in the ward because it’s a great environment for our children. We have the benefit of access to good local facilities such as schools, healthcare, transport and shops, whilst also having easy access to larger towns such as Spalding and Peterborough. But more importantly we are small enough to have a great community feel.
Access to Services….
As smaller communities, having easier access to services is more important, as is the right to live in a safe clean environment. I believe that access to services such as education, adult/child social care and transport although not provided by the District Council are equally as important as planning, housing and recycling/refuse collections.
I feel strongly about all of these, and will work to ensure that these services are available for all of us to use. I would be prepared to fight the removal or change to any service that would have an adverse effect on the ward or its residents. I’ve lobbied the County Council and District Council before regarding local ward issues, and would be perfectly happy to do this again for any other issue.
Pressure to Reduce Costs….
We live in difficult times, and although the council in recent years has taken steps to reduce expenditure, more financial challenges will appear in the coming years. With the Government, County and District Councils being put under further pressure to reduce costs but maintain services.
I believe my background in local government and also the charity sector will put me in a better place to understand the challenges, and help me make the right decisions to move forward. From my employment in the Charity sector, I have first hand experience of how the vulnerable, elderly and disabled find it a struggle to gain access to services and get equal rights. This will help me to ensure that any future reviews of services do not unfairly target these groups.
Designated Ward Budget….
I will use my designated ward budget to help local initiatives, community groups and charities that would benefit the communities of Crowland, Deeping St Nicholas and Tongue End.