A reluctant farewell - hopefully for the time being

Further to the recent election summary, I feel compelled to write a few words about my recent election experience, namely being voted off but also a few words over the last 4 wonderful years.

I am very disappointed that I am not a local councillor now but that's politics!

The recent election was a strange local election due to running at the same time as the general election which must have had a huge impact.  There was also a 3rd party involved which clearly took votes away from Labour rather than the Tories and we must look into this as a party though why such a significant number of people voted for people who lived far outside the ward thought they could do a better job for Church Gresley is a concern.

Whilst there are several things in hindsight I wish we had done, I feel I can hold my head high and feel I have represented Church Gresley well over the last 4 years for a number of reasons including the following points which, as a team and some individually we have achieved:

• Improved communication through our surgeries, this blog and our newsletters.
• Engaged with community groups and, where possible, help with funding.
• Supported residents through major planning application issues.
• Ensured that the ward is included in SDDC consultation events.
• Had several new bins placed or enlarged throughout the ward.
• Challenged play equipment provision within the ward.
• Ensured that alleyways are kept tidy and passable.
• Had air quality monitoring installed in Church Street.
• Engaged with the Environmental Health Department to combat issues of dog fouling, particularly around the Pennine Way schools and brought the Green Dog walker scheme tp their attention from a scheme in County Durham in order to put some long term sustainable actions in place (rather than spray dog mess with spray and get in the Burton Mail).
• Did the best within our remit to highlight the issue of pressure on school capacity within the ward.
• Always tried my hardest to resolve individual issues and always responded within a day of receiving an enquiry.
• Used my passion for cycling and Sustainable Transport to good effect.  I noted that links within a major plan within the urban core were noted as "potential" and took action to ensure that the wording was changed.  I also requested that part of planning policy should include advising that communal developments should have cycle storage as part of design.

Whilst I am no longer a councillor I intend to stay involved in local activity and support Gordon and Trevor in their work but do hope to be able to spend more time with my young family.

The last 4 years have been a fantastic time and it has been a privilege to serve Church Gresley as a councillor.  There were many highlights including having the honour of laying the wreath on Remembrance Sunday and being able to meet so many different people and groups and learning about their work and experiences.

I am grateful for the kind words of support from residents over the last few weeks and hope to be able to represent you in the future.

Ben Stuart