We come from many walks of life with different life experiences and different political views, but we can all unite in our desire to keep our community strong and good to live in.

Full statement

We may vote for national parties in national elections, but in local government the most important thing is to have capable representatives who live locally, like Isabel and myself who are both long term residents of Egham, who know the new ward well, and care about its future.

Egham town has elected Independent Resident councillors over many years. We are your neighbours; we live here and know the place and the local issues well. We’ll work with other councillors from any political party, for whatever brings most benefit to the new Egham ward and we’ll vote independently, unwhipped, however we think best for our community. Egham is simply a better place to live for having strong, local, Independent representation. Our concern is to safeguard the new Egham ward’s interests in the future, when there’ll be fewer representatives and decisions will be made more remotely, by people who may not know Egham at all.

Individual details are below, but if elected, our shared aims will be to:

• Foster a collaborative approach, like Isabel has done as part of the Runnymede Council Alliance at RBC. This will be essential if, as likely, no single party gets overall majority.
• Maintain services to support people living active lives, independently within their homes, in spite of budgetary pressures on the new authority.
• Keep strong engagement with the River Thames Scheme to maximise benefits for those in high flood-risk areas in Egham Hythe and Egham.
• Oppose gravel extraction at Milton Park and Whitehall Farms.
• Fight for improved pedestrian access to Runnymede meadows.
• Embed high standards for SEND at the new council.
• Press the new authority to take potholes seriously.
• Support the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, giving more choice on how to get places, reducing congestion and being good for health.
• Attempt to crack the Pooley Green rail crossing nightmare - we will call the council to lead a task force to get action from the rail authorities.
• Hold regular open sessions for advice, information and sharing of views.

Siobhan and I made Egham our home in 2002, attracted by the walk-able, small town feel, fast train to Bracknell for my work and being close to family. Having historic Runnymede on the doorstep appealed greatly. Various dogs have helped us make good use of it. We love Egham, its friendliness and community spirit.

I'm passionate about democracy and the environment and am particularly keen on bicycles as a tool for getting places. My retirement has given us time to get a heat pump and solar installation and we are already seeing the huge benefits of lower bills. I’d love more people to get these benefits.

I love hearing peoples ideas and will enthusiastically push good ones regardless of origin. I'm tenacious and meticulous. All things I'm confident would be useful to me as a Councillor.

I've been a fan of the Egham Residents Association (ERA) since the first newsletters dropped through my door. I love their support for Independent councillors, free from the influence of National party politics, and I’ve helped campaign for independent candidates in previous elections. In 2024 I joined the ERA committee to manage the website, making it simpler and more useful. Planning is a key focus of the committee - I submit objections when appropriate and encourage others to do so too.

Whilst having just one, unitary, Council will have advantages, local knowledge and advocacy will become crucial to avoid Egham's interests getting lost amongst other issues for the new, large Council. I will seek out ways for local voices to get heard during the transition and in the new structure, and fight Egham Ward's corner when the new Authority takes over fully in a year's time.

My priorities, beyond our shared ones above, will be to:

• Make our ward more human focused. Less traffic danger, noise and pollution whilst keeping traffic moving.
• Support climate action. Often this means doing more with less, saving money.
• Prioritise affordable family housing.
• Aim for good relationships with all other Councillors. Do what we can agree on. Don’t fight empty battles that lead nowhere.
• Seek views on Egham Precinct. Any expensive upgrade should yield big benefits. I'm concerned we will lose a Council asset if it becomes privately owned, with loss of flexibility.
• Seek a constructive relationship with Royal Holloway, balancing local family and student needs.

I have huge admiration for Isabel and what she’s achieved as a Councillor, in particular, getting Council meetings live streamed, making it much easier for residents and indeed Councillors to keep an eye on what is happening