26 April 2023
Profiles of East Berkshire Green Party candidates in Binfield North & Warfield West ward (Bracknell) for the local elections on 4th May 2023:
I am a long-time resident of Warfield who has always been active in the community and will work tirelessly to represent all residents of Binfield North and Warfield West.
I have lived in Warfield with my husband since 1995, and our daughters were born and raised here. My community activities include: a founding member of Warfield Environment Group (WEG) in 2002, current chair; Warfield Parish Councillor (2019-2023), opposed development of 2000 new homes at Jealott’s Hill; Deputy Clerk at Warfield Parish Council (2012-2016), responsibility for Planning and Environment; active in Whitegrove Primary School and Garth Hill College Parent Teacher Friends Associations while daughters attended the schools. Previously, a career in Information Technology.
As a prospective councillor, standing alongside Dr. Adrian Haffegee, my aims are to keep Binfield and Warfield green and clean, ensure good quality development and housing, and to engage with all ward residents. I will do this by:
> Putting pressure on Bracknell Forest Council to achieve net zero across all areas of responsibility as soon as possible, 2050 is not soon enough
> Enhancing all green spaces for the benefit of both people and nature. Increased access to green space by people must not be to the detriment of our wildlife
> Monitoring and enforcing air and water quality levels in our natural environment. I am currently involved, with others, in monitoring sewage discharges into The Cut (including from the Bracknell Sewage Treatment Works via the outfall in Ryehurst Lane, Binfield) to pressurise Thames Water into stopping these discharges
> Resisting future proposals for unsustainable development, especially in the Green Belt
> Making sure developers deliver as specified in approved plans, and taking action against those who do not: such as reporting the removal of too much vegetation during footpath construction onto Watersplash Lane, Warfield; monitoring non-native, invasive Himalayan balsam growing alongside The Cut to ensure it is removed
> Encouraging energy efficiency improvements to our existing buildings, for example additional insulation, solar energy, heat pumps
> Ensuring new infrastructure and services are in place, for example cycleways, bridleways and footpaths, schools and community facilities, recycling
> Listening to residents’ concerns and following through with casework. Recently reported the site clearance between Maize Lane and Old Priory Lane, Warfield, following a complaint to WEG and discovered planning conditions not met. Will follow up on: potholes to ensure they are fixed as soon as possible; flooding; anti-social behaviour
> Providing regular opportunities to meet residents across the whole ward, publishing regular ward newsletters, and providing an active online presence
> Acting in an honest, fair, open and transparent manner. Co-operating with all political parties. Being civil in all communications
I have lived in Warfield since 1998, and have a staunch interest in its natural environment and sustainability as an evolving community.
Prior to moving to Warfield I spent several years living in Binfield.
I have a strong scientific and engineering background, having worked in industry, research, and post-doctoral academia.
I was a Warfield Parish Councillor from 2011-2016, and was Chair of the Environment Committee while also participating with Planning, Climate Change/Biodiversity, and Facilities. I have stood for the Green Party in previous Borough elections in Warfield, and am the local party election agent.
As a prospective councillor, standing alongside Sheila Collings, we aim to keep Binfield and Warfield green and clean, strive for good quality development and housing, and to engage with all ward residents.
Bracknell Forest Council has finally declared a climate emergency, and I would work to ensure that this emergency is treated as such, with the utmost urgency of a rapid reduction in carbon emissions throughout the Borough. As other councils have done, I would seek for the appointment of a cross party Climate Change and Environmental Scrutiny Committee, with a role to inspect and analyse all actions of the Council and Executive Committee. This would supersede the currently limited Climate Change Advisory Panel, and ensure the climate emergency underpins all ongoing decisions, plans, and strategies. The current Council plan of net-zero by 2050 is not soon enough, and we owe it to all future residents of the planet to significantly improve on this.
A healthy and varied natural environment is paramount, and there should be an ongoing enhancement strategy; not just for our enjoyment, but also for the biodiversity that inhabits it. Development must not be detrimental to nature, and I will resist applications that are, for instance those seeking to build on the Green Belt. Where pollution occurs, such as sewage discharges into our local waterways, we need enforced rectification and prevention against recurrence.
I believe the Borough Council should be open, transparent, and accessible. As a councillor I would provide regular opportunities to meet with residents across the whole ward, take on their concerns, and follow up with casework. I would have an active online presence and publish regular ward newsletters. A council should be co-operative, and there should be civility between all members, and the officers, regardless of their political persuasion.
