As well as representing the people of Henley (which is Walsgrave, Wood End, Potters Green, and Manor Farm) and trying to resolve their problems, I am in charge of everything relating to education. That means trying to find the money for new buildings, making sure those that are excluded from school still get an education, and trying to make sure there are youth services across the city. I also am responsible for safeguarding, which means protecting children and young people from abuse and harm, whether the threat is from within their own family or from other people.

And I led a delegation form Coventry to visit the education minister and argue that he should give us the money we were promised to rebuild our schools. He said no, but I’m keeping up the campaign and will carry on fighting for us to get the school buildings we need and deserve. 

A typical day starts with trying to get kids out of the house on time. Then its on to the council house for a meeting to find out what is going on, and deciding what actions to take to solove problems that people have brought to me. I spend as much time as I can in Henley meeting residents and checking progress of issues we’re trying to get sorted. Evenings I often have a residnets meeting, and if I can fit an exercise session in around that then I will.

The government is taking away a lot of the money that we spend on youth clubs and projects that try to support young people. I would use my role as Youth Champion to see first hand what young people think of what we provide now, and what they think works well, and use that information to decide which services we should try to protect from cuts. I promise to visit every place where we carry out youth work and listen to the young people there about what they need.