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.
​
