MY LOCAL CAMPAIGNS
MY ROLE AS A COUNCILLOR
“SPEAKING UP FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS IN MY WARD AND ACROSS THE BOROUGH”
As a Borough Councillor, my role is to represent residents, raise concerns, and ensure local issues are addressed effectively.
I work with council officers, parish councils and community groups to resolve matters such as planning applications, fly-tipping, environmental concerns, community safety and local services. I also support individuals on any issues they raise with me.
Where issues fall under County Council responsibility, including highways and education, I continue to press on behalf of residents to ensure their voices are heard.
Although I have been removed from various committees since joining Reform UK, I remain fully committed to standing up for residents. I have previously contributed to work on Rushcliffe’s Design Guide, economic development, community scrutiny and public safety measures such as advocating for CCTV in licensed taxis.
I will continue to speak up in Full Council and put the interests of local residents first.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION (LGR)
“WORKING TO ENSURE THE BEST OUTCOME FOR RUSHCLIFFE"
In December 2024, the Labour Government announced plans for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), which will replace the current two-tier system in Nottinghamshire with larger unitary authorities delivering all services under one council.
From the outset, I was clear that Rushcliffe’s future must protect our residents, our finances and our strong local identity.
I led the campaign and petition to “Save Rushcliffe from the City”, to ensure Rushcliffe Borough Council is not merged into a new authority with Nottingham City Council - given the City’s well-documented financial difficulties and record of poor decision-making.
I created campaign boards, organised street stalls, engaged with the local press and led a borough-wide petition that gained over 20,000 signatures - which demonstrated the strength of local feeling.
Although I initiated and led this campaign as a cross-party effort, after joining Reform UK the Conservative ruling group at Rushcliffe Borough Council (unbelievably!) removed my name from the petition. This was disappointing and unnecessary, particularly given the non-party political nature of the issue and the scale of public support.
Rushcliffe is predominantly rural in character and is far better aligned with authorities such as Bassetlaw, Newark & Sherwood, Mansfield and Ashfield (which is option 1b that has been recommended to Government).
We are now waiting to hear from Government on what the outcome will be.
In the meantime I will continue working to ensure the best possible outcome for Rushcliffe residents.
SAVE THE FOOTBRIDGE!
“CONNECTING LOCAL COMMUNITIES"
The requirement to build a pedestrian and cycle bridge to connect Newton with Bingham was a S106 requirement on the developer. The trigger point for delivery is that 300 homes are built and we're only half way there. But the developer submitted a planning application to remove the requirement to deliver the bridge due to escalating costs - and citing that it would not get used. I know that residents want this bridge delivered as it will be a vital link for active travel, safety and connectivity.
So I set up a petition to demonstrate the demand. The petition ran for 13 days and gained 728 signatures! Wow - it shows the level of local support for a footbridge across the A46 to connect communities of Newton Garden Village with Bingham.
I presented the petition to the developer at the Newton Community Partnership Board meeting and referenced it in my submission to planning to oppose the application to remove the S106 requirement for the footbridge.
What happens next? - that depends on the RBC planning. If they reject the application the requirement stays in place BUT there is still an issue over the affordability of the bridge. I am exploring options for additional funding with Nottinghamshire County Council for an application to the East Midlands Mayor office. Nothing is certain and it's astounding that a footbridge is costed at @£7million to build. But I will ensure these options are thoroughly explored. Newton needs its footbridge!
SAFE TRAVEL FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN
“CAMPAIGN FOR LAW CHANGE FOR SEATBELTS FOR HOME- TO- SCHOOL TRAVEL"
I am working to to ensure that seatbelts are made mandatory for primary school children travelling on home-to-school transport.
This campaign follows a serious incident on the St Peter's Primary School route where children were thrown from their seats during sudden breaking. Fortunately injuries were not life threatening - but were avoidable if the children had been able to wear seatbelts.
Currently, seatbelts are required when children travel on school trips (e.g. to swimming lessons), yet they are not legally required on many mainstream home-to-school bus services. This inconsistency needs to be resolved.
I have written to the Secretary of State for Transport calling for a change in national law to mandate seatbelts on primary school home-to-school transport. In my letter, I set out:
- The gap in current legislation
- The clear safety case for change
- Practical legislative options to update regulations
- A proposal for a national Seatbelt Transition Fund
- The moral and statutory responsibility to protect children
For too long, councils have been left trying to deal with this issue locally, with inconsistent standards across the country. A national solution is the right solution and hope to push things forward.
Government Response Falls Short...
I have now heard back from the Transport Minister.
The Minister has confirmed there are currently no plans to change national law to require seatbelts on buses used for school transport, particularly where those buses are classed as “standing passenger” vehicles. In short, the Government’s position is that:
• national vehicle rules will not be changed at this time as they wish to align with EU standards, and
• decisions about requiring seatbelts are being left to local authorities and transport contracts rather than being set nationally.
This means there is no consistent national UK standard, and children’s safety still depends on where they live and how local transport is specified.
Local authorities can not implement anything without the correct financial support from government and this is severely lacking. There was no acknowledgement for a transitionary fund to be put in place.
I am disappointed by this response, but I will continue to do what I can to ensure that seatbelts are required for all transportation of children relating to school.
KEEP PEOPLE SAFE WITH CCTV IN TAXIS
“SAFETY OF WOMEN & GIRLS SHOULD BE PUT FIRST”
When Rushcliffe renewed its taxi licensing policy I strongly advocated for CCTV to be made a mandatory requirement in all licensed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles.
That proposal was rejected. I subsequently submitted an amendment at Full Council calling on Rushcliffe Borough Council to write to Wolverhampton Council (where 96% of all taxis (Ubers) are licenced) urging them to implement mandatory CCTV within their own licensing policy. That too was rejected by the Conservative administration.
In my speech at Council, when we discussed taxi licencing, I referenced 2 recent Nottingham cases where taxi drivers were convicted and jailed for assaults on female passengers, with CCTV evidence playing a decisive role in securing justice.
Despite this, Rushcliffe continues to rely on a voluntary approach - but the current uptake is zero! This alone demonstrates that voluntary measures do not work.
If we are serious about safeguarding passengers and protecting drivers from false allegations, then mandatory CCTV is a proportionate and common-sense step.
I will continue to advocate for CCTV in taxis - it should be a national condition of all local authority licencing.
ACTIVELY ENGAGING WITH COMMUNITIES
“ACCESIBLE FOR ADVICE & TO HEAR RESIDENT VIEWS”
I am always keen to hear residents views and it is my role to represent them effectively - this starts with understanding their points of view. I can then represent them effectively, provide the correct guidance and contacts to help resolve their issues.
When particularly large or complex planning applications come forward I arrange dedicated planning surgeries to help residents understand proposals involving housing development changes, employment land, HGV rerouting, relocation of community facilities, impact of junction & road works and other significant local impacts.
At these events I can explaining material planning considerations and support residents in how to best engage in the process and make strong, relevant representations.
SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES AS A PARISH COUNCILLOR
“PARISH COUNCILS - 1ST TIER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT”
As part of my role as a Rushcliffe Borough Councillor I attend all the Parish Council meetings that are within my ward (Newton). Working with each parish council is different and they all have different priorities and issues.
I am also a Parish Councillor for the Newton parish - this enables me to get involved in a whole range of additional issues - including organising a Christmas Fair with Santa as a special guest!