Wyke, Gillingham Ward

I was invalided out of the R.A.F. in 1996 after sustaining a spinal injury whilst on active service. I came to live in Dorset to be near family and then to Gillingham in 2003, where I worked as a sculptor after completing a degree in Fine Art Sculpture at the “Winchester School of Art”. Through my sculpture I looking at social issues, from Homelessness to Domestic Violence and created contemporary works in a classical style.

After I read in the “New Plan for North Dorset 2010” of the proposal to build a 25acre Industrial Estate on the Greenfields of Wyke I put down my mallet and chisels and set up the group “Save Our Wyke”, which I continue to chair a committee of concerned local residents. The support for the campaign continues to increase and last year we were able to hand in a petition signed by over 2,000 residents in opposition to the proposed development.

Through local issues concerning Wyke and Gillingham as a whole I became more and more interested in Local Government and was only too pleased to fill a vacant seat on Gillingham Town Council, where I have sat on all committees endeavouring to get a clear overall picture of the running and “goings on” in our town.

I had a great interest in Planning and the Development Control Recommendations Committee. I may not have been creating sculptures in my studio but I saw that I now had this chance which was enabling me to help create a Gillingham that everyone living here could be proud of. As the “New Plan for North Dorset” was intending to make our town a “Strategically Situated City or Town”, I wanted to be at the point where decisions were being made and represent the views of my constituents.

Through my ward sugeries and day to day meetings with the local populous it has been very apparent, general feeling is that this town is in need of development even redevelopment, on the tip of most people’s tongues is the regeneration of our high street, though some mentioned childcare and playgroup facilities whilst others are concerned how such a vast population increase proposed in the “New Plan” and consequently larger class sizes will effect the excellence of our renowned Secondary School.

If we are to have development in our town then the people of Gillingham must have their say on what development comes here and where it goes. For too long Gillingham has been a building site for “piecemeal” housing developments, built without forethought of supporting infrastructure.

I want us to have more say in how our town develops, more input regarding the things that we do want in Gillingham and those that we do not. The people of Gillingham have a voice and they need to be heard, for it is they that will define the future of this town and it is my aim to bring the local community and the decision makers together.

It was with this in mind and my new found fascination with the workings of the Local Authorities that I stood for the Wyke ward in the District Council elections of 2011 where thanks to the local people, myself and Val Pothecary became your representatives at North Dorset District Council.

I followed my commitment to the future of Gillingham and I currently sit on the “Development Control Committee” and the “Planning Policy Panel”, as well as attending every meeting that I can, continuing to glean an overall clear picture of all that concerns or affects our town.

I have recently been made the Shadow Spokesperson for the Portfolio Holder of Gillingham. I work with Cllr Mrs Audrey Birch and attend meetings regarding Gillingham on all aspects from Business Rates to Council tax and Social Housing.

In November 2010 I helped set up Gillingham Job Club which I run with the help of 12 local volunteers, it is proving to be a great resource to the town and surrounding Parishes. It is helping people get back into work, thereby helping their families and in turn the local economy as a whole.

“On the 12th July 2011 “Gillingham Work (Job) Club’s” Coordinator, David Walsh and Supervisor, Belinda Ridout, were presented with the “Action for Market Towns National Award” for winning the “Business and Economy” category in recognotion of the most outstanding Market Towns Project.”

I represent the Town Council on the Board of Trustees for the Citizen’s Advice Bureaux where I am now Vice Chairman and chair a committee set up to plan how to lead the charity through the next five years.