@Steve Gribbon you have asked several times why I was not at the recent Marple Area Committee meeting. My whereabouts on Wednesday evenings really is a private matter, but given that you are so intrigued by this, I will enlighten you.
I do watch most of the meetings online, but you are correct, I have not attended a meeting in person for some time. The last meeting I attended was a couple of summers ago when there was a noticeable spike in crime and anti-social behaviour in the area. Members of the community were discussing the crimes in the "SK6 Watch" group and following the vicious assaults on two young men, I felt compelled to take some action. With the permission of the group, I documented the crimes reported in the group over a number of months and presented the information to the police, MP and all Stockport Councillors. I discussed the issues at the Marple Area Committee meeting and I'm pleased to say that following interventions by the police after that meeting, things quitened down in the area dramatically.
I have caring responsibilities which is why I choose to watch the Area Committee meetings online. My partner works long hours and is usually not home in time for me to go to early evening meetings. Rest assured, I have a childcare plan in place and withstanding unforeseen circumstances, I will be present at all Committee meetings if elected, and I will be totally committed to the role. One of my interests is encouraging people from minority and other oppressed groups to enter politics so that our councils represent more closely the communities that they represent. Only a third of Stockport council is made up of women, and I may be wrong, but I think that there is not a single BAME Councillor. I imagine the early start time of meetings precludes many other people with caring responsibilities from attending. Making the council more accessible, transparent and democratic is something I would look at if elected.
A major part of my role as a Palliative Care doctor was multidisciplinary team meetings. I also attended many meetings as a school governor, as a parent of a severely disabled child when she was in the education system, and currently as secretary of Stockport Green Party. I do not feel comfortable blowing my own trumpet, but I am a fast learner and will quickly pick up any necessary new skills required to be an effective member of Stockport Council.
I grew up in Stockport and returned to raise my family here. It has been stuck in a time warp, and not in a good way. I want to be a councillor to effect significant, positive changes in our area. I hope the above lengthy response has helped to allay your concerns about my ability to be a councillor.