𝗔 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 I have lived in Axminster since 2007 and became an Axminster Town Councillor in 2011.

Full statement

I was deeply honoured to serve as the Town Mayor from 2016 to 2017. In 2019, I was elected to East Devon District Council as an Independent Councillor for Yarty ward, and currently serve as Deputy Leader and Cabinet member responsible for Economy and Assets, and one of the three independent Axminster District Councillors, alongside Sarah Jackson and Simon Smith, all elected in 2023.

Party politics should have no place at a local government level. Councillors should be free to do the very best for their community without the presence of a party whip behind them, telling them how, when and what to vote on. Nearly 30 years ago, the Nolan Principles were established. These are the rules that I swore an oath to abide by, in all that I do whilst acting as a public servant. They are not just words - they are the very foundation of what it means to be an independent local Councillor. You can find more about the Nolan Principles by typing that into your search engine. I work full-time for Axminster Town Council, striving to deliver the very best public services to our residents, helping the elected members get things done, improving amenities for the community wherever possible and ensuring the highest standards of probity, transparency & public accountability are maintained while devoting my time to enable taxpayers money to be spent with great care and responsibility.

Through my work, I recognise how the three different tiers of Council (Parish, District & County) could work better together to provide improved public services to all who live, work and play here. I served as a Governor at our local Primary School and completely understand why funding cuts have such an effect on our children’s education. As a father, and now a grandfather, I won’t rest until our schools are properly resourced to allow teachers to concentrate on their job, instead of counting the pennies and worrying about the cost of pencils!

As one of the executive board members of ACER (Axminster Community Emergency Response), a former NOURISH executive board member and one of the co-founders of the Axminster Christmas Together project, I care deeply for the health, well-being and happiness of our community. It would be a genuine privilege to represent each and every single resident, regardless of their political beliefs, at DCC as the County Councillor for Axminster; the place where where I live, work and play.

Your town is my town too, and we can make sure that Axminster thrives, not just survives.

Please allow me to work with you, and for you, 7 days a week.

On the 1st of May - Let's change things together. For the better!