Being a councillor is not about making promises – it's about delivering results

For over a decade, it has been a privilege to serve residents in Moortown and Meanwood. My approach has always been straightforward: be visible, be accountable and deliver real outcomes for local people.

At the heart of my work is casework – supporting residents with the issues that affect their daily lives. Whether it’s tackling fly-tipping, resolving missed bin collections, addressing anti-social behaviour, improving road safety or supporting families navigating housing and social care, I have consistently worked to get things done.

These are not headline issues, but they matter deeply to residents – and they deserve action.

Alongside this, I have worked closely with partners across the council, police and community organisations to improve community safety. As the community safety champion for the inner north, I have helped drive a more coordinated approach, bringing agencies together to respond to concerns and, importantly, to prevent issues before they escalate.

From community safety workshops to raising awareness around initiatives such as “Ask for Angela” and campaigns tackling harassment of women and girls, this work is about making sure everyone feels safe where they live.

I am also proud to lead on race equality across the council. This is not about words – it’s about delivery. I have pushed for stronger governance, clearer accountability and measurable outcomes to ensure that equality is embedded in decision-making, not treated as an add-on.

That means challenging where progress is too slow and making sure our policies genuinely reflect the diverse communities we serve.

Looking ahead, my priorities are clear. First, strengthening community safety. Residents want to feel safe in their homes, on their streets and in local centres. That means continuing to tackle anti-social behaviour, supporting visible enforcement and investing in prevention – particularly for young people.

Second, improving basic services. Reliable bin collections, clean streets, well-maintained roads and effective housing services are the foundation of a well-run council. When these services fall short, it undermines trust. I will continue to push for consistency, accountability and high standards across all services.

Third, supporting residents through the cost-of-living pressures that many are still facing. Too many families are struggling. We must ensure that support is accessible, targeted and responsive – and that no one is left behind.

Fourth, creating opportunities for all. This includes supporting young people into education, employment and training – and ensuring that pathways for progression exist across our communities. We must be ambitious for our residents and remove the barriers that hold people back.

However, we must also be honest about the challenges. Local government continues to operate under significant financial pressure. Demand for services is increasing, particularly in areas such as adult social care and children’s services, while resources remain constrained. This requires tough decisions – but also a relentless focus on doing things better, smarter and more efficiently.

We also face wider societal challenges: rising inequality, community tensions and the need to rebuild trust in public institutions. Addressing these issues requires leadership, partnership and a willingness to have honest conversations.

For me, being a councillor is not about making promises – it is about delivering results, standing up for residents and ensuring that their voices are heard where it matters.

I remain committed to working hard, being accessible, and continuing to deliver for Moortown and Meanwood.