The elections in May 2008 were to choose Councillors to oversee the transfer of functions from the existing County Council to the new unitary authority in April 2009, and to take that new council forward into the next decade.

 

The Council currently comprises 1 non-affiliated Liberal Democrat member, 5 Independent members, 17 Labour members, 19 Conservative & Independent members, 25 Liberal Democrat members. Northumberland Conservatives are therefore the main opposition group, to the Liberals' minority Administration.

 

Although the Liberals had a succesful election (in Northumberland) in May, I feel that the Liberals' choice to form an exclusive Administration was a mistake. A coalition Administration rescued Castle Morpeth Borough Council from ruin, and I feel that the best solution for the new Council would be a similar coalition.

 

Of course, the Liberals did end up as the largest group. However, they did not achieve an overall majority and cannot claim to have been the peoples' popular choice.

 

Although I am an Opposition Councillor, I can still use my position to achieve great results for the Ulgham Division. When elected, I hit the ground running, but there is a lot to do in our area, and I promise to do my best to deliver the best for us all.

 

 

 

Castle Morpeth Borough Council is now in its final year of existence. It, along with 5 other Borough / District Councils, will be abolished and its functions assumed by the new Unitary Authority in April 2009.

 

Until that time, Councillors of all parties on CMBC must work hard to ensure that the final projects of the Council are completed successfully and the transition to the new Council goes smoothly.

 

I am a member of the Executive Committee of CMBC, although I have spent the vast majority of my time as a CMBC Councillor helping people in the community. Since May 2007, when I was elected, I have assisted local people to object to (or support) planning applications and helped keep our area clean and tidy by ensuring regular grass-cutting and the swift removal of fly-tipping (a major problem around Tranwell and Whalton especially).

 

In addition to this, I have successfully protected public rights of way by making applications to the County Council for legal footpath status.