A huge thanks to everyone who voted on election day back in May – and especially for those who voted for Rosena and I. There haven’t been any Labour councillors for our ward since 1990, but we changed this and are very grateful and excited to be your new councillors.

I’ve lived in the ward since 1999 and have gradually become more active in local issues. My four children all went to (or still go to) St Anselms and my husband is from Balham, so I have lots of friends and community connections. I really wanted to give more back to the community and seized the chance of becoming a Councillor.

Last year I got involved in leading campaigns against the cuts to One O’Clock clubs and to save the Wheatsheaf pub from being taken over by a supermarket. Both of these encouraged me that local people working together can make a difference.

Both Rosena and I want to work really hard to be a representative of all local residents to the Council which issues arise, we want to be active and visible in the community, and to especially stand up for the people who are most affected by the cuts in Council services and the continued focus by the Council on making money rather than making better communities. We also live here and love our low council tax.

My priority in being a Councillor will be to serve local people and stand up for everyone in getting better services and response from our local Council, to get better information about what the Council offers to people – and to enable better feedback to the Council about what they should be doing better.

So thanks again for voting for me to be your Councillor, I’m here to serve and do get in touch about anything you think I could help with.