In May 2021, residents re-elected me for a second term as Hailsham’s Conservative County councillor (New Town). I campaigned on a platform of raising spending on our roads and improving our local infrastructure. Since then, Conservative-run East Sussex County Council has:
• Set a £453 million budget delivering an increase in services while other local LibDem/Labour and Green-run councils cut theirs.
• Supported the opening of Ropemakers Academy and expansion of Hailsham Community College as part of £42.8 million being spent on Hailsham’s schools
• Brought forward road junction improvement plans for South Road, Ersham Road, Diplocks Way junction
• Submitted a £35 million Major Road Networks bid to deliver nearby junction improvements on the A22
• Won £41.4 million from Government (DfT) to improve local bus services
• Allocated an additional £5.8 million to road patching, pavements and safety improvements
• Raised road maintenance, spending by 15%, or £31 million, for the next decade
• Worked with partners to deliver the East Sussex Economy Recovery Plan, mobilising £170 million in investment
• Committed a cumulative £10 million over several years to better align County Council operations with our net-zero as soon as possible (and by 2050 at the latest) target.
Award for East Sussex Pension Fund:
As Chair of the £4.6 billion East Sussex Pension Fund Committee, I collected the prestigious LAPF Fund of the Year 2021 award on behalf of the team. This was awarded in response to the reforms that we have introduced associated with sustainable investment themes, fund administration, and performance. The Fund was also Highly Commended for its investment approach to Climate.
Local Report:
I HAVE been active in pressing County Highways to resurface substantial parts of the Ersham Road (scheduled for this coming spring), and to address the state of the South Rd Bridge (significant intervention promised this year). I continue to argue for better-connected cycling and walking, as a part of local infrastructure projects, and have persuaded County to commit to update the local MASHH infrastructure plan.
I’ve liaised with PCSOs, residents and local councillors on multiple road-safety and anti-social- behaviour issues. I have lobbied against over-development. I helped Hailsham Live to secure permissions to hold their very successful event in 2021 and Hailsham Active in advancing negotiations to get the Maurice Thornton Playing Fields lease extended by Wealden. My wife and I were thrilled to sponsor the Stringers’ game versus Selsey in March 2022. I was pleased to support local employer JLC when they hosted Climate Change Minister Alok Sharma. I’ve made supportive donations to the Hailsham Bonfire Society.
Tackling Pollution:
As promised, I’ve worked with cross-party district councillors to press Southern Water to improve local sewage management. And as chair of the East Sussex Pension Fund, an infrastructure investor, I’ve brought pressure on Southern Water’s investment fund owners to demonstrate responsible stewardship in pressing Southern Water management to resolve these local problems.
