By Isle of Wight Observer
It is a great honour that the people of my ward have put their faith in me to serve as their representative in County Hall. This is one of the largest wards, with at least eight areas with distinct identities and many smaller outposts. It’s a real diverse mix, countless doorstep conversations have made me realise that, whilst each area has its own concerns, there are unifying threads that will demand my attention.
The most common issues I’ve taken away is the need to improve the co-ordination of highway and infrastructure work across the area; this directly impacts how people can go about their daily business. Speeding on the rural road network and through villages is something that rightly concerns residents. It’s all very well having speed limits and traffic calming, but without effective enforcement they do not achieve anything.
I’ll be working hard on these issues; the new councillor induction programme has already given me an understanding of the levers I can pull to generate positive improvement.
As a member of the Reform UK group on the council, I want to be an agent for positive improvement and change where it’s needed. It’s very clear to me that there are really significant challenges ahead, foremost being the council’s financial deficit which must be dealt with, and there are no easy solutions.
The Island deserves an efficient, transparent, and forward-thinking council that delivers for the whole community; that has to be our main objective and I’m determined to play my part.