"I have lived in Dorset for over 20 years, and am now living in Powerstock.

Full statement

"From an early age I had a love of nature and this led me to become active in the environmental movement over concerns about our impact on the natural world. I believe we should be doing much more to protect our wonderful natural environment and to reduce inequality in society which is the root cause of many of our problems.

"I have had a varied working life in both the public and private sector and am now self-employed as a gardener. I have also been a carer both paid and unpaid. I like to think this diverse background helps me relate to anyone and understand the issues people face.

"Over the past year and a half, I have been one of a green team in this area talking to people on the doorstep in Maiden Newton, Netherbury, Salway Ash, Loders, Powerstock and Nettlecombe about their concerns. Potholes, flooding and access to NHS services were some of the issues people raised the most so as a local councillor I would make these my priority.

"I am keen to ensure that public money is well spent. Dorset Council inherited huge financial assets from West Dorset after the transfer to a Unitary in 2019. We think the council has spent around £50m of these on financing deficits on the operating budget over the last five years. These financial assets are backed up by £500m in land and buildings, of which maybe £200m are surplus to the Council’s operational requirements. These could and should be used to help local communities. Dorset Green Party believes we should use these to directly provide genuinely affordable housing, especially for rent, and suitable for young people. We would use Council land, build new environmentally sustainable Council houses, and buy up and convert suitable existing housing. This would help alleviate the crisis in housing which is facing many local people who have not got onto the property ladder.

You can read more about our policies to provide better public tansport, to protect the environment and to provide better support for children and young people on our manifesto page here:

https://dorset.greenparty.org.uk/local-manifesto.html

"At the last elections in 2019 in Eggardon, the Green Party came in second place. A vote for myself and the Green Party in Eggardon is the best way to help remove the slim Conservative Party majority on Dorset Council. Vote Green on May 2nd for a fairer and greener Dorset."