I have lived in Wyre Forest for 25 years and am one of the original seven Health Concern councillors, elected in 1999.

I am also a Worcestershire county councillor and during the last four years have worked for the electors of Wyre Forest at both levels.

Being a chartered certified accountant, I have applied my professional skills to various appointments on both councils.

I believe that local "politics" should be about real issues of benefit and concern to the community, determined by local independently minded representatives on a basis of common sense and fairness.

I believe strongly that locally elected independent councils are the natural democratic opposition to national government.

I am an enthusiast for the development of quality parish councils and for the current initiatives for the devolution of more services and functions to parish council control.