I’ve lived in Arbury, man and boy, for over 50 years and went to local schools, including Mayfield Primary School on the McManus estate. I studied politics at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and I’ve worked as a librarian in the NHS and at the University of Cambridge Department of Chemistry. I’m a member of the Co-op Party and UNISON and have been a workplace representative.

I’ve been a councillor for Arbury for 17 years and, although I recently got married and moved to Coleridge ward in Cambridge, my Dad still lives in Arbury and I’m passionate about continuing to represent Arbury if re-elected on the 4th May. I was married at the Church of the Good Shepherd and the church is playing an important role as both a Community Food Hub and Food Bank, supported by part of the £1 million council grant to organisations tackling poverty and inequality.

I have been the Executive Councillor for Housing and I’m proud to have been part of the delivery of housing improvements for Arbury residents and across the city. This includes improving existing homes and their environment, such as Kingsway Flats and Bermuda Flats, and providing new council homes for people who otherwise can’t afford to live in Cambridge – including Akeman Street and the Meadows development in Arbury. Both these sites also have new community centres. I’m immensely proud that the Labour Council has delivered over 500 council homes in the city since 2017, with plans for at least another 500 more, including sites in Arbury at Aylesborough and Fordwich Close and at the former Murkett’s Garage site. This will enable many of the households on our Housing Needs Register to have an affordable home.

I’ve chaired North Area Committee and also chaired the Histon Road Local Liaison Forum, working with residents and the Greater Cambridge Partnership to improve infrastructure particularly for pedestrians, cyclists, and buses. The Histon Road project is one of a number of schemes across the city aimed at encouraging alternatives to the car and is part of our commitment to tackling the climate and biodiversity emergencies.

The Labour Council has reduced emissions from its own buildings and assets by 29% since 2014 and aims to achieve a net zero carbon City Council by 2030. I’m also really pleased that a programme of improving the energy efficiency of our housing is benefitting Arbury with external wall insulation and solar panels being fitted to homes in Akeman Street, Darwin Drive and Bateson Road. This also benefits our tenants as reduced energy bills will help them during the cost-of-living crisis.

As a local councillor, supporting and advocating for Arbury residents is just as important as helping to lead on strategic issues. I’ve bid for funding from our £5 million programme to improve our estates, including Hazelwood and Molewood Close and I’ve  worked with the Council’s Streets and Open Spaces team to refurbish play areas and enhance our local environment, such as at St. Albans Rec. I’ve been leading, alongside the local residents association, on a biodiversity enhancement project for the green space by Carisbrooke Road. I also liaise closely with City Homes over repairs for our tenants, work with the Community Safety Team and the Police to tackle anti-social behaviour, and deal with County Council Highways, including submitting local highway improvement schemes around Arbury.

I’m very proud to be part of a Labour Council that has supported vulnerable residents, invested in housing and tackling the climate change crisis, and protected frontline services despite national funding cuts to near zero and a decade of austerity imposed by Liberal Democrat / Conservative Coalition and Conservative governments.