• Book Worm,
• Foodie,
• People Person,
• Liberal Democrat Cabinet Member in Hull.

I came to Hull in 1997 for university and have made it my home. I joined the Liberal Democrats in 2004 but it wasn’t until I tried to set up a neighbourhood watch in my street that I thought about standing for Council. Until someone asked it was not something I had considered.

My professional background is in HR and I have worked in various Human Resources posts in the voluntary and private sector – most recently I was a Manager for Comet PLC.
My title on the council is Cabinet Members for Customer and Corporate Services – which sounds rather complicated but in essence means I am responsible for customer services and the Council ‘internal services’ that make sure it runs smoothly. Hull has not performed well as a Council and there is a lot of work to do to improve services to residents. My cabinet role is crucial to making sure we improve quickly and I am enjoying the challenge and love seeing the change’s we have made since taking control in 2007.

I am a Liberal Democrat because I believe in seeing everyone as an individual. It is important, whether you are running a city or the country, that politicians do not feel it is there role to ‘do’ things to people or ‘for’ people but instead support them to do things themselves and help them find their own solutions. I am proud that since being elected in 2006 I have helped create 3 Friends of Park groups in my ward and launched a Citywide campaign If It’s Local Be Vocal to galvanise public interest in community issues and the role the council plays in delivering public services.

My top tip, once you are elected, is to make sure you get an induction from your colleagues as well as the council. Their experience of the job will help you decide how you want to do things. You need their advice as you do need to take what officers tell you with a pinch of salt sometimes. It is important to spend time out of the Town Hall and in the community that elected you – only then can you tell if what you are doing is really working.