My opening priorities

These are the main reasons I want to stand to contribute to the Council: they may change through the campaign as issues arise, but I want to set down my opening thoughts. They are the things that are particularly important to me.

The average house price in this area is more than double the rest of Northumberland. This creates a real problem for families wanting to stay in the area and to maintain communities. Equally, second homes and holiday homes are important because tourism is the major driver of the economy. But almost all new building in the last few years has been of this nature and there is too little affordable housing. Getting the balance of economic development while retaining the character of the area is critical.

This requires a consistent set of local planning frameworks which should be developed through the Parish Councils. Unlike the Council's proposed core strategy document, I don't think SE Northumberland should be the only acceptable area for significant business and infrastructure development.

We need more focus on jobs; this is largely outside direct County Council control, its mostly a matter for the private sector. But the Council should be supportive of local business; there should be a Northumberland jobs fund to help start up businesses; related topics are issues like dualling the A1 to improve the local economy and providing free residents parking to support local businesses.

This area has one of the highest percentages of people over 65 in the country. We need to make sure that the care and support for the elderly is maintained and improved: we need to make sure that the links between Social Services, the NHS and private providers work well together and are adequately resourced.

Renewable energy has become a catch phrase in our society and the first visible wind turbines in the Division are rising over the A1. I'd never say never but it's not obvious that they have any economic value and their provision needs to be carefully managed.