I am delighted to have been elected to represent you and Covingham, Nythe and Coleview Ward replacing Glen Smith as your Swindon Borough Councillor.
I have lived in Swindon for twenty years, was Schooled here and my three children are Swindon born and bred. I started my own IT Company in the town in 1998 and now contribute to the local economy by employing 26 staff. I was nominated and elected as Chairman of the Swindon Branch of the Federation of Small Businesses in 2007 and have lobbied for fairer treatment for small businesses in Swindon with some very positive outcomes. I am passionate about representing the views and opinions of small businesses and it has given me the necessary experience and skills to communicate with the local council for you the residents of Covingham, Nythe and Coleview. Now that you have given me the opportunity I will work as hard for you and as passionately as I do for Business in the town.
I have been fortunate to meet a lot of you while out delivering my leaflets and newsletters. You’ll be pleased to hear that whole of the ward is looking beautiful with only two incidents of graffiti noted; rest assured I have documented this on your behalf. As someone who has lived in many towns in the UK and the USA I am proud to have chosen Swindon as my home and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to keeping Covinhgam and Nythe a much sought after location to live.
I am pleased that my fellow Conservative’s have secured a freeze in Council Tax, and I am delighted that this year there will be no increase. I will always campaign for fair and affordable Council tax.
On planning issues, Dale Heenan, Glen Smith and Richard Hurley have worked hard to campaign against Labour’s plan to build 12,000 houses to the east of the A419. I am also now working closely with Justin Tomlinson MP, and I am pleased that the new proposal is for 7,500 houses in village-style developments. I will continue, alongside Covingham Parish Council to campaign against inappropriate building plans and do everything I can to ensure high quality developments.
It has been brought to my attention that there are HGV vehicles driving through highly residential areas of the ward inappropriately. I will work hard to communicate with the local businesses to advise against this and will campaign for an appropriate solution and more traffic calming measures.
My priorities for the year ahead are to continue to campaign on fair and affordable Council tax, planning issues, and to continue to work hard to ensure Covingham, Nythe and Coleview is kept clean, tidy and graffiti free and continues to be a well-regarded, sought-after area of Swindon.
