Marden and Yalding Ward at Maidstone Borough Council
KCC Candidate for Cranbrook Division
What I do
As a Borough Councillor my role is to represent and help the residents of my Ward.
If I were lucky enough to be elected as a County Councillor my role would be to help the residents of my division and aid the transition towards a unitary authority.
I regularly speak to residents and I encourage residents to contact me via my email claudinerussell@maidstone.gov.uk
I also regularly attend Parish council meetings in my Ward :
Marden Parish Council
Yalding Parish Council
Nettlestead Parish Council
Collier Street Parish Council
I have started to attend Parish council meetings in the Cranbrook Division and have so far attended :
Cranbrook Parish Council
Hawkhurst Parish Council
Goudhurst Parish Council
Frittenden Parish Council
Working for my community
So far I have been assisting and helping residents with issues such as:
Liasing with Housing Providers to help residents with issues.
Speaking at Maidstone Borough Council Planning Committee.
Assisting residents to combat anti-social issues with the help of the MBC Community Protection Team.
Highlighting issues with development to the MBC Planning Enforcement Team.
Helping residents to report and clear fly-tipping.
Represent my ward residents at any committee as a ward councillor and speak on their behalf.
Help with missed bin collections.
Work with external partners such as the Environment Agency on issues affecting my ward.
Regular contact and liaising with the Kent Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) on issues affecting my ward.
and much more...
Maidstone Borough Council Committee meetings
I currently lead the Conservative Group at Maidstone Borough Council, I sit on various committees, I chair Overview and Scrutiny holding the administration to account and I give our group response to the Leaders Speech at Full Council
In this role, as well as representing my ward, I am involved in the discussions and voting on decisions which affect all areas in the Borough of Maidstone.
I also regularly attend Councillor training and briefing meetings
As a councillor I attend many training courses to further my knowledge and ensure that I am up to date, notably:
Planning training sessions
Licensing training sessions
Local plan Review workshops
Accounts Briefings
Leadership training with the Local Government Association
In addition to meetings with outside bodies such as the Environment Agency etc.
