I was born and grew up in the North of England but, after university, moved south.  I am married, with three sons who are now grown up.

I have represented the Clandon and Horsley Ward of the council since May 1995.

I have been the lead member for environment since May 2003, when the Conservatives took control of the council. This gives me a wide area of responsibility within the council’s Executive, including climate change, energy, recycling and waste and planning policy.

I chair the council’s Climate Change Advisory Group, which comprises councillors and representatives of outside bodies interested in this subject. I co-chair the Local Strategic Partnership Group on traffic, environment, sustainability and transport, which draws together individuals, residents and interest groups. I also chair the council's working group of councillors and officers preparing Guildford’s Local Development Framework which will, in due course, replace the Guildford Local Plan.

I represent Guildford on the Surrey Local Government Association Board responsible for the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy and ongoing cooperation on waste matters between Surrey County Council and the Surrey district councils.

I am a member of the Guildford Business Forum Steering Group, Property and Transport Group and Rural Group. I am also a member of Surrey County Council’s Guildford Local Committee and its transportation task group and of Guildford’s Town Centre Management Group.

I have been a member of the Council's Planning Committee since 1993.

I am a Member of Local Government Association's Strategy and Finance Policy Review Group and Task Group on Localism.

I am also a school governor.

You can contact me by email, telephone or letter.  My details are in the Councillor database.