I’m the Labour Party Councillor for Acomb Ward and Deputy Leader of the Labour Group. I was elected in May 2015 by electorate in Acomb and am passionate about partnering them to fight their corner and support the growth of a thriving, fair community.

I currently sit on the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee at the council. Through my work on the committee I will work to defend the rights of the public and patients in Acomb and York to access high quality and dignified health and social care services that we all deserve.

Before joining the NHS I spent 10 years working in the low carbon sector, first delivering the national fuel poverty scheme Warm-Front, then managing the consultation with communities and Local Authorities on the development of major green energy projects.

I’ll use my experience to help Acomb residents looking for ways to save money on their energy bills. I’ll also work with colleagues at City of York Council to explore all potential economic, training and employment opportunities arising from several major planning developments proposed in Acomb and elsewhere in the city.

I also sit on the Area Planning Committee at the Council so will be able to use my experience to good effect in deciding on proposals brought to that committee.

As a dad and a school governor I understand that all parents work hard and naturally want the best for their children. It’s unacceptable that there are hard working parents forced to choose between healthy food, or a warm house for their kids. I’m passionate about working with partners to tackle child poverty in Acomb and York.

As Labour’s Shadow Executive member for Children, Schools and Young People, I will be well placed to scrutinise the work of the current Tory / Lib-Dem leadership of the council to ensure that our young people in York get the best possible start in life.

Last, but not least, I have been selected as the new Deputy Leader of the Labour Group in York. In this role, I aim to work with colleagues in the group, and more importantly with the wider party in York. This will be essential to ensure that our collective talents are fully understood and utilised to develop the policies that will take us from opposition to leadership of this great, progressive city after the next election.

When I’m not working or spending time with my wife and two young daughters I like to get out on the bike, stick my walking boots on or spend time cooking whilst supping a real-ale in the kitchen.

York is an exceptional place to live, work and raise a family and I never forget how lucky my family and I are to call it home.

Acomb Street Cleaning Cuts

After their promises during the election to protect front line services, it seems the Lib Dems are now doing anything but. The Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Cllr Andrew Waller, has signed off plans that will see huge cuts to the level of street cleaning in Acomb and across the city.

Many of Acomb’s streets will go from being cleaned once a fortnight to once a month, whilst many others will go from being cleaned once a month to once every three months.

This will undoubtedly cause significant issues and we’d like to hear from you about any problems you witness as these street cleaning services are cut. Please contact me directly if you want to report any concerns about this, or anything else.

To find out how your street will be affected by the street cleaning cuts download the document linked to below. It shows the before’ and ‘after’ maps and the cuts to the level of service being imposed by the Tory and Lib-Dem council on Acomb residents.

Acomb Street Cleaning Cuts Map