Welcome to my web page for Castle Morpeth Borough Council. I was elected on May the 3^rd for the Ward of Hartburn the seat had previously been Independent with Ernie Coe who had decided to retire after a few bumps and scrapes with the Council and possibly the way that councils now work did not suit Ernie! I still speak with him for historic advise on the seat and try to sort problems that he is told of.

I live just outside of Belsay at Ogle Hill Head Farm with my wife Irene and Daughter Rachel, Irene is school secretary at Belsay and Rachel goes to Coates Middle. I work both in farming and Regional Director for the Countryside Alliance for the NE, NW and now Yorkshire, this involves promoting country sports and campaigning for the countryside which fits very well with CMBC’s most rural seat!

I have previously been a member of Tynedale District Council for 8 years and the County Council for 4 years, during my time at County I rattled up the development of the North Road School that had been on the table but nothing was happening, now we have a new school, also CCTV cameras in Ponteland and traffic measures at Scots Gap (there is unfinished business there and I feel any new developments will require a new road layout or roundabout).

I am now on the Council Executive helping Cllr John Morris with the portfolio for the environment, though the council has been dealt a not expected blow with the single unitary council coming into force soon, there is still a job of work to be done in Castle Morpeth and monies from here should be kept or spent here!

Personally my belief is that councils should stick to what they are supposed to do, deliver services at a reasonable rate, in our rural areas there are only very small visible benefits for high Councils taxes and I intend that we get them right, emptying of bins, grass cutting and planning applications. I also am concerned for the Borough with a new blight of boy racers, every small town or large village has them, plus the noise (I live not far from the A696) of these motor bikes travelling a great speed and sound, they are disturbing our areas and through Hartburn and Scots Gap.

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