Having lived in the Chessington area all my life, I feel I know the area pretty well. My first involvement with my local councillors was over a planning application. A developer wanted to build houses on railway land at the bottom of the gardens in the road where I live. Organising a Residents Association and successfully opposing the planning application made me understand just how effective residents can be. One thing led to another and I was persuaded to stand as a councillor myself.

It is very satisfying when you know that you have achieved something that has made a difference to people’s lives, whether it’s sorting out a dispute over their recycling collections or being part of the decision to build a new school. I have been a councillor now for 16 years and am standing again for re-election because I still feel there is much to do and that I still have the ability to help the community.

Bearing in mind that it was a planning application that led to me becoming a councillor, it’s not surprising that planning is my big interest within the Council. I have been part of the planning committee since becoming elected and enjoy seeing the fruits of our decisions when things get built.