"Sue is keen to be re-elected to Broadland District Council.

Full statement

Currently engaged in part-time voluntary work with a local advice agency, Sue lives with her husband, Richard, in Burgh Road, Aylsham. She has two adult sons and a history of business, science at UEA and HR at Norfolk County Council. Her first experience of self-employment was running a village shop and post office. Things grew from there and, having started and successfully grown a business in machine manufacturing (Samplex, now Tekpro in North Walsham) , Sue more recently had a small tourism business arranging and managing coach tours to France.

Since being elected last May, Sue has joined the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Wellbeing Panel and is a representative on the Broadland Group of Children's Centres Partnership Board. Sue says "It is satisfying to be part of a committee, researching, contributing, discussing and making recommendations to the council Cabinet over such things as the new Broadland Business Plan, policies like the collection of Council Tax debt and contracts with suppliers of services".

"Enquiries are received on a regular basis from residents in our ward and I enjoy looking into the issues and providing information or a way forward. For instance, I have recently met with the new Highways Engineer from Norfolk County Council to look at various junction, roads and pavement problems around Aylsham."

"Attending meetings and staying on top of issues raised by local people has been my priority. I try to seek and listen carefully to residents' opinion so that I can truly represent local views".

The fundamental reason for Sue being involved in politics is that she believes that everyone, regardless of background, should have the same opportunities in life, at school, in the workplace and in the community and that this begins with tolerance and understanding.

Broadland District Council currently has 47 Councillors, only 12 of which are women. Currently, only 6 are not Conservative resulting in a lop-sided view of what residents want from Broadland.

Being a councillor is, very much, a learning experience. In order to have an opinion or to respond to an enquiry, research must be carried out. Sue says "There is political pressure not to say or do anything which may be contentious and, as a naturally open person, this is not easy. In fact, I would say, that it is the element of the role of District Councillor that I like the least! I would like to work to change that by continuing to be as frank as possible and to encourage others to do the same".

"If you vote for me, I will continue to respond to your concerns in a timely manner and to further develop the profile of both the town of Aylsham, and the surrounding villages, within Broadland District Council for the benefit of our residents.""