Alex
was first elected to Canterbury City Council
at the age of only 23 as LibDem member for
Westgate ward. Now a member for Wincheap,
Alex is leader of the Liberal Democrat group
and leader of the opposition on the council.
"I first decided to stand for the Council
because I wanted to work at grassroots level,
making
sure ordinary people get a chance to have their
say and see some action on issues which affect
them and the place they live.
"The most important issues facing us at the
moment are anti-social behaviour, the environment
and
of course the thousands of houses the
Tory-run council are allowing property developers
to
cram into Wincheap.
“As councillors we are the people's
representatives and so it is always vital to
ask as many people
as possible what they want. That is why the
regular FOCUS leaflets are so important. They
give us
a chance to let local people know what is going
on and ask them to get back to us with their
thoughts.
"I suppose that is the big difference
between the Liberal Democrats and the other
parties.
We don't dictate policy, we ask you
what you want - and make sure you get it!"
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Nick
is married with two grown up children. He has
spent most of his working life running various
education businesses and has travelled all
over the world.
"I’m really interested in planning issues
and how they affect local people", he says. "They
can really worry people. In fact I probably get
more letters on this than anything else.
"Helping people with local problems is
what it’s
all about – and we can make a difference.
The LibDem Focus team has always taken a real
interest in local issues. After all, getting
your bin emptied or not probably affects more
people than whether or not the government goes
out and buys a new battleship.
"However, the big issue for me is the
future of the Kent and Canterbury Hospital.
I’ve
been on the marches, I’ve been up to the
House of Commons, I’ve lobbied M.P.’s,
I’ve written endless letters and been to
endless meetings. I will never give up this battle." |
I
am very proud that as a Liberal Democrat Councillor
representing the residents of Wincheap and
Thanington since 1995, I have been able to
support and be involved in many projects which
have improved the quality of life of local
residents. These include :
- Reduction of crime and vandalism through the
closure of certain alleyways;
- Provision of hard standing for cars in front
gardens;
- Pedestrian crossing across the A28 for the
Centre and recreation ground.
Provision of community services
- Thanington Neighbourhood Resource Centre (of
which I am now chair) which provides activities
and for all ages. Including the floodlight basketball
pitch, after school club, holiday playscheme
and homework club.
- ARCA club - obtaining financial support towards
its re-building.
|
The
Wincheap LibDem Councillors
