I was first elected to the Council in 2002. The last four years as a councillor for Norbiton, the ward in which I live, have been the most satisfying of all as I have been closely involved with housing and social matters. Norbiton ward has the biggest concentration of social housing in the Borough and its largest estates are areas of significant deprivation.

For years Council homes across the Borough have suffered the most appalling neglect. The Government completely failed to understand the effect that manipulation of the negative subsidy and taking huge sums of money from the rents that tenants pay would have on the condition of Kingston’s housing stock and on our chance of providing decent homes. There is a proven relationship between poor social housing and deprivation and it is the children of Norbiton who suffer most. I want to continue to work to make a difference - to achieve decent homes, to bring more and better affordable homes, to aim for the best start in life for Norbiton children, to preserve and increase employment opportunities and to get sports, exercise and play facilities under way to help to bring healthy living opportunities for all the people.

There are other things to work for too, like stopping anti-social behaviour such as noise and vandalism, preserving and improving our environment, cutting waste as well as increasing re-cycling. I want to be on the front line for all these things and to continue to look after the interests of Norbiton residents.