I am writing to ask you to support me at the 6th May Leeds City Council election.

Full statement

Here are some reasons why you should consider voting for me:
I care about the local community. I was a student at the University of Leeds from 1991 and lived in Hyde Park and Headingley for several years. I returned to Headingley as a long-term resident in 2012, so I understand what it feels like to be both a temporary and a long-term resident in this community. We are lucky that there are members of both these groups who work hard to integrate with each other and we should be grateful to both the long term-residents who have worked for many years to help welcome new people to the area and to the students who involve themselves in local community activities. If elected, I aim to visit as many residents of the ward as possible, welcoming new people to the area, and supporting long-term residents with their difficulties
I have the experience and skills needed to achieve things for Headingley and Hyde Park ward. Since returning in 2012, I’ve been actively involved in the community. My job is split between helping students with their careers and being the University and College Union Branch Secretary, working to protect members’ jobs and representing them via casework. I’ve been on the Board of the Heart Centre since 2016 and regularly help with conservation efforts as part of Woodhouse Ridge Action Group. I’m a founding member of both Child Friendly Headingley (working to improve facilities for children in the area) and the Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport (GALBA), a non-partisan group which is campaigning to prevent the expansion of Leeds Bradford Airport. If the airport is allowed to expand, it would cause a huge increase in carbon emissions as well as being detrimental to public health locally, because of the impacts of noise and pollution.
I’ve worked hard, all year round for several years, including knocking on doors, talking to residents and helping to resolve issues. Here are things you’ve said that you want to see change in the area:
• Reduce litter and improve the general appearance of the area and stop flytipping
• Improve reliability and frequency of rubbish and recycling collections
• Make landlords take care of their properties
• Make walking and cycling safer and make public transport more reliable
• Reduce joy riding
• Provide better facilities for families
• Encourage consideration for neighbours and increase community cohesion
A huge majority of your survey responses say that you want a Town Council and I fully agree. A town council would give us some local money to focus on the above priorities. We could employ wardens, for example, to patrol the streets and help control litter, graffiti and anti-social behaviour.
If you elect me, I will continue to campaign for a Town Council, but I recognise that will take a while. So, I will also do all I can to continue work on the issues above, for example: visiting residents regularly and helping to resolve any issues; contacting landlords of neglected properties to encourage clean and tidy surroundings; campaigning for carefully planned Low Traffic Neighbourhoods; organising regular litter picks and lobbying for improved rubbish and recycling collections as well as better public transport connections.
Only I or the Labour candidate can win. The Green Party has taken a clear second place for at least the last six years. Votes for the Lib Dems or Conservatives won’t decide the results. Back me this year to keep the Green Party work going year-round. A vote for anyone else will mean a return to Labour.
I have enjoyed working with you and for you, finding out what matters to you and trying to find solutions to problems and to make this area better for everyone here. That’s why I’m standing for election.
I would be honoured to be your representative on Leeds City Council and to get even more done for you as your Councillor.