My Priorities

I want to support our local schools as they work together to meet common problems like falling pupil numbers and how to make the best use of teacher expertise and facilities. Coquet High School Amble Middle School and Druridge Bay Middle School are currently consulting on the possibility of a hard federation between these schools. I think it is vital that we have secondary provision based locally and that local students are offered the very best education. I will attend the consultation meeting and hope to help the schools work towards the best possible outcome for our youngsters.

I want to support our local fishing fleet which is struggling to meet the challenges of changes to fishing quotas and the impact of rising fuel costs. As a member of the Northumberland Sea Fisheries Committee I have stressed the need to lobby for and support the fishing industry. I also intend to arrange a meeting with Stephen Hughes, Labour MEP for the North East so that he can learn more of the difficulties faced by the industry.

I want to support projects which will improve road safety. I recognise this is a difficult issue and there is a conflict between the need to make roads safer for drivers and pedestrians and fear that some schemes will damage cars or affect the flow of traffic. Safety has to be a priority, especially where there is a risk to children. Together with Jeff Watson, County Councillor for Amble West with Warkworth I will support initiatives such as the introduction of interactive signage or fixed cameras on The Wynd. There are other sites causing concern, including Percy Drive, and the speed of traffic on the approach to Hauxley and Togston.

I want to support good local facilities. In recent years I have been able to support disabled access and improvements to Hauxley Village Hall and Amble Parish Hall and better access and new doors at Amble Library. This has been possible because of the Members Small Scheme budget which allows local Councillors to allocate up to £15,000 per year for local capital schemes. I made a contribution to the new facilities at Amble Welfare and the play equipment at the Paddling Pools.

And now for something completely different… speaking of good local facilities I was delighted to be asked to open the refurbished and extended gym at the Granary Leisure Complex on the Links. The pool also includes a new sauna and steam room.

In the last two years, thanks to the encouragement and support of the staff at the Amble pool I have been able to improve my swimming and water confidence.

As a thank you to them, and in order to improve access for disabled swimmers like me, I intend to raise funds for specialist equipment including a changing table and specialist sling hoist.

I am planning a sponsored body boarding surf session at Druridge Bay later in the summer. Thanks to John Nolan, who runs Northside Surf School here in Amble I have already had a practice session. When we have finalised details I will be looking for sponsorship and will give you more information on how you can help.