Statement from Louise Downham

Louise has expressed genuine remorse for her recent unacceptable behaviour on blue badge parking, and will do her penance.

Louise has asked that she also be remembered for the campaigns she fought and people she helped in Kings Hedges.

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FOR GERRI BIRD'S 2008 ELECTION NEWSLETTER CLICK HERE

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your local Labour team members: Kings Hedges

Councillor Elizabeth Hughes, Kings Hedges

171 Minerva Way, Cambridge Phone: 01223 313764

Elizabeth Hughes was elected County Councillor in Kings Hedges in 2005. She says, "As one of only 4 Labour County Councillors I undertake a heavy committee brief and am keen to insure that, wherever possible, there is a valid Labour challenge to the policies suggested by the Conservative and Lib Dem groups". Elizabeth has lived in Minerva Way in Kings Hedges since 1978 and was the first resident on the new estate. When she arrived in Kings Hedges she joined the Arbury Orchestra, the Church Choir and got involved in community activities, running a Girl Guide company. She served on the PTA committee of the Manor School when it was threatened with closure; at present she is again a school governor at the Manor.

Having accepted redundancy from the University of Luton, Elizabeth was pleased to become involved with the Labour Government's new community flagship project, Sure Start. As a grandparent she represented Kings Hedges on the Cambridge Board and used her professional background to support the Health Improvement Committee. Week by week she made and served refreshments at the new Mums' Group and became the group's photographer and archivist from 2001-6.

In 2002 Elizabeth was elected Labour City Councillor for Kings Hedges and constantly challenged the provision for older and disabled residents in Cambridge. She stood down in 2007 but remains an active member of the Constituency Labour Party as a delegate from Kings Hedges on the General and Executive Committee. She has raised £100s by making and selling tea, coffee and cakes.

Elizabeth has been married to John, a severely disabled Welsh actor and a keen Labour supporter, since 1965. She is proud that her own grandfather went to hear Kier Hardy speak, and resists any lessening of her activities due to Parkinson's disease from which she has suffered for some 12 years.

She says, "I belong to the local Parkinson's Disease Support Group as their publicity officer, and as part of my work as a County Councillor I am committed to supporting diversity and raising awareness of the work and workplace needs of people with physical and emotional disabilities and of the impact of bad working conditions and poor people management".

Elizabeth sits on the following County Council Committees:

Cambs and Peterborough Minerals and Waste Plan - Joint Members Working Group

Children's & Young People's Services Scrutiny Committee

Enhanced Services Policy Development Group

Joint Accountability Committee

Joint Staff Panel

Universal Services Policy Development Group

Gerri Bird, Kings Hedges

5 Grieve Court, Cambridge CB4 1FR Phone: 01223 425595 Email: gerribird@sky.com

Gerri is a tireless campaigner for the rights of disabled people. She works for the local charity Disability Cambridgeshire, formerly Directions Plus, for disabled / older people and their carers. In 2003 she met the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and more recently James Purnell, Secretary of State for the Department for Works and Pensions, Ivan Lewis MP, Minister for Care Services and Anne McGuire MP, Minster for Disabled People, campaigning to match needs with resources.

Concerned about the rise of antisocial behaviour on the estate where she lives, Gerri helped set up an Action Group, of which she is vice-chair. The association has now been running for two years, working with the community, the police and other agencies, and Gerri’s work has been recognised by a ‘Respect, Taking A Stand’ award, presented by Rt. Hon Hazel Blears MP.

Gerri is on the service committee for the Cambridge Housing Association, a board member of Hundred Housing Association, where she has set up an Asian disability group, a board member of the Cambridge Council for Voluntary Service, Chair of the Kings Hedges Anti-Social Behaviour Group and a member of the Cambridge Equalities Panel