A little while ago I was asked to write an article for the Clare Chevron publication. It has now been published so I thought I would share it more widely on my blog. I have been up to much more since but that’s another story for another day!!!!!

“It is just over three weeks since I was elected in a by-election to represent the ward of Clare, Hundon and Kedington at West Suffolk Council. This is the largest ward and covers Clare, Hundon, Kedington, Cavendish, Stoke by Clare, Wixoe, Stradishall, Kedington and Barnardiston. I join two other district councillors on the council to speak up for Clare and we represent over 6,000 residents.

Whilst now the baby of the council, a few years ago I was the Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council. I was pleased to have played a significant part in getting the A14 widening scheme back on track after it had been cancelled in 2010. I am also proud to have brought forward the Cambridge North station, the Ely bypass and the Kings Dyke crossing in Whittlesey. Skills I might need to get a car park for Clare! To top it all I ended up as a founding non executive director of a new bank jointly owned by a Cambridge College and the public sector pension fund. A politician and a banker, how bad can it get!

Previously I owned and ran an International IT company before selling it. Further back I served in the RAF for many years.

So, in the three weeks since getting elected I have had induction training, picked up my IT and attended both the virtual and in person AGM of the council. I have attended lots of Parish and Clare Town Council meetings.

I believe in democracy and transparency so when I discovered that the planning application for a 53 house development on the Cavendish Road in Clare was likely to have been approved only by officers I was concerned. I believe a large development, in a special historic town like Clare, needs to be considered in public so I have “called it in”. I may sound as if I know what I am doing but don’t be fooled. What I do know is that the application will now not be approved in the background whilst I find my way around the planning process. It will also give me and the Town Council an opportunity to address the planning committee.

I have allocated money from my locality budget for the senior citizens of Clare on Suffolk Day. I am working with the Police to hopefully reintroduce public consultation panels. I have had a number of meetings with residents ranging from neighbour disputes to planning applications.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch if I can help in the ward.

Read my blog https://nickclarke.blog

Or get in contact on nick.clarke@me.com 07876561781”