I’m Patrick and I’m one of your City Councillors in Arbury. Having first come to Cambridge after leaving school to study at King’s, I now live on the McManus estate. In the daytime, I work for South Transfer of Care, supporting the Discharge Planning process for people who are ready to leave hospital. A long-term member of UNISON, I’ve campaigned for Cambridge Labour in many elections in and around Arbury and across the city.

My main priorities as a councillor, alongside representing local residents, are protecting key services, fighting climate change, tackling poverty and preventing homelessness.

I was first elected to the City Council in 2017, and re-elected in 2018. Since being elected, I’ve served on a range of committees, including Housing (on which I also served as Vice-Chair). I’ve been involved in developing Labour’s programme of building 500 homes, and am proud of our plans to build another 1000 homes by 2032. I’m now working closely with officers and residents on the redevelopment of Aylesborough Close and Fordwich in the middle of Arbury.

As a former lead councillor for climate change, I’ve been vocal in promoting ways for the City Council to meet its goal of becoming net zero by 2030. We’re reduced our emissions by 29% since Labour took control of the council in 2014 and, with the publication of our new Climate Change Strategy, we have a clear way forward to achieve even more and make our city a cleaner, greener place to live. It’s essential that, in developing new housing, we are careful to ensure it meets high sustainability standards and I’ve spoken with developers directly to make sure they understand our vision.

Locally I’ve worked closely with the Anti-Social Behaviour Team to address problems caused by disruptive and inconsiderate activity, often acting as a mediator-facilitator to maintain harmony and understanding in the community. I’ve also represented the views of Arbury residents at the Planning Committee, and liaised with officers to ensure that property repairs are not delayed and that our tenants are supported and protected.

I’ve put forward several Local Highway Improvement (LHI) bids, including one for repaving sections of the footpath on Gilbert Road and also Environmental Improvement Projects (EIPs) including the installation of illuminated bollards and fencing for better security in Rackham Close. I worked closely with residents, officers and the police to improve waste removal arrangements in the Brackley Close area.

My current EIP (already approved in principle) is for protection of of grassy areas and biodiversity increase at front of Rutland Close and my current LHI (working alongside our County Councillor Mike Black) is for much-needed safety improvement on Perse Way.

Outside of work and City Council matters, my main interests are music, philosophy and football.