Richard Parkinson
3 Best Lane,
Canterbury, CT1 2JB
01227 471255
richard.parkinson@canterbury.gov.uk

I have represented the Westgate Ward as a City Councillor since May 1999. I am Chairman of the Canterbury Area Member Panel, a forum where local people can raise issues and have their questions answered, which as a Liberal Democrat I believe is vitally important, and a member of Development and Planning.

I recently moved into the centre of Canterbury having lived in Wye for some thirty years where I had a business, for the most part picture restoration and picture dealings. I take much interest in the fine arts.

I am a life member of the Chelsea Arts Club. I am married to painter Susan Sanders. My daughter, Felicity, works in St. James’s London and my son, Dr. Charles Parkinson, lives and works in the sciences at Warwick University.

I am interested in seeing good design built and spaces used for the arts, which will always receive my encouragement.

Originally from London I came to Canterbury first in 1996 to study Social Work DIPSW/MA at UKC. After a brief spell working in London I returned to Canterbury, the place that had become my home. I have worked for the past five years for the Kent Probation area, first as a practitioner then as trainer and manager. Currently I am employed as Chief Executive for a national umbrella organisation - The Unit for The Arts and Offenders.

My first interest in politics was from a very young age, being very politically vocal and believing in amongst other things equality of access and social inclusion. This lead to my involvement in the Arts world training initially via a performing arts course, performing professionally as both dancer and actor and latterly as practitioner of arts practices : specifically visual arts, drama and movement tutoring. My early experience of the GLC administration and close links with Red Wedge encouraged me to establish a community arts organisation in East London which was specifically aimed at young people at risk. This involved campaigning and lobbying for a platform for the arts and working alongside councils and key funders in the arts world. My main areas of interest are the cultural diversity of our district and also the involvement of marginalised groups. I would like to see many grass roots organisations working within and alongside local communities to improve lifestyle and opportunities, in particular for the next generation. I am proud to have been elected for the Westgate Ward and will endeavour to reflect the views expressed by the constituents.

I live in Canterbury with my husband Simon and daughter Elizabeth.

At 29 years of age I guess I will be one of the younger members of the City Council. However, I have plenty of experience of local government as I have already served as a local parish councillor. I am a local spine specialist and health practitioner and originally hail from Australia.

I want to join the City Council to help local people, and I hope to serve on the development control cttee and work as one of the LibDem health spokesmen. As my major concern is health and fitness I want to save our local hospital and make sure that we all have a healthy environment in which to live.