I am married with four children and devote the rest of my time to my voluntary work, including:

Vice-chair and media trustee of the Heads Up mental health charity. Member of Wells Dementia Action Alliance for whom I have had more than 250 articles with photos published in the local media. Broadcaster on GFM, the community radio station for Wells, Glastonbury and Street. Vice-chair of Wells Civic Society, responsible for the installation of Blue Plaques around the city and indoor Black Dog plaques designed to support long-standing family businesses in Wells. Member of the Wells Men’s Breakfast steering group. Ambassador to the Wells Girl Guiding movement.

I’ve lived in Wells since I came here in 1984, with my family, to take up the post of Solicitor to Mendip District Council. During my 35 years in Wells, I have been a Churchwarden at St Cuthberts, a Governor at the Blue School, a trustee of Wells Almshouses and a member of the Cathedral Chapter. I feel embedded in the life of Wells and that I can now make a contribution, using my expertise in the field of planning, as a member of the City Council. I believe Wells Independents will bring new energy to the City Council and provide a more effective link with the people of Wells.

I am delighted to be standing as a Wells Independent candidate. I have witnessed first-hand the missed opportunities to improve the experience of Wells citizens. It’s easy to make complaints from the side-lines. It is not so easy to volunteer and take action. It’s time for new blood on the council. I was brought up in Wells and went to the Blue School. I offer my professional expertise together with the personal qualities of an independent mind and a sense of humour with a passion to do the best for Wells. A Wells resident said, “I’ve had enough of politicians; I’m sick to the back teeth of politics. They ask your opinion, but nobody pays any attention”. I absolutely agree; those are my thoughts. No point just complaining, so I decided to do something about it, and to stand as a candidate.

As an active member of several charitable organisations in the City, I believe that I have a insight into the needs of residents, both in the provision of services, and the development of Wells as a world-class tourist destination. The future of Wells depends on it embracing its heritage, whilst ensuring that sympathetic measures are put in place to enable both residents and visitors to enjoy the unique ambience of the City. Specific measures which I would champion would be effective management of traffic in the medieval centre and High Street, and improvement in parking provision for both locals and visitors’.

Over the past 18 years, I have watched the same people make the same decisions in Wells, and I feel that it is time for a change. I am not one who likes to complain from the outside, but one that would rather be inside and help make the decisions. My background is retail. I have a passion for the high street and for the independent retailer. I feel strongly that they need support and protection. I have spent several years talking to retailers around the UK and representing them in conferences and at national discussions.