Andy Watkins is the Liberal Democrat WDC candidate for the ward of POLEGATE NORTH

ANDY WATKINS - LibDem Wealden District Council candidate for POLEGATE NORTH

A retired Civil Servant, Andy Watkins has been married to his wife Pat for 49 years. They have two grown up children, both of whom were educated locally, but Andy's local roots run even farther back as three generations of his family formerly lived in Brook Street, Polegate.

Andy is an experienced local councillor, having served previously for almost 12 years on Wealden District Council, and for nearly four years on Polegate's Town Council where he was Deputy Chairman of the Finance Committee. He has also been a Parish Councillor in both Willington and Jevington. In addition, he currently serves on the Wealden District Association of Local Councils and is a member of the District Council's Standards Committee.

As well as his experience on various councils, he will be well known to many in Polegate from his years as Chairman of Polegate Neighbourhood Watch and a Governor of Willingdon Community School. He is also pleased to have worked with the late Cllrs Roy Martin and Chris Berry for many years, including on such local initiatives as the designation of the War Memorial Recreation Ground and the erection of the Memorial which includes his own Great Uncle, Thomas Hoather.

Andy shares the concerns of many residents about the amount of development happening in the area without the timely provision of much needed infrastructure. "It is a scandal that Polegate and Willingdon still do not have a new Medical Centre," says Andy. "I will continue to argue strongly for that to be provided." He has spoken up for residents at successive examinations of the Wealden Local Plan and on individual planning applications and, if elected, will continue to be a strong voice speaking up for local people.

For more information, Andy can be contacted at: andy_watkins@btinternet.com