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I have been involved in Local Government since 1974, initially as a Member of Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council. I was elected to serve on the County Council in 1977, becoming Deputy Leader of the Labour Group in 1985, Chair of the Environment Committee from 1986 to 1998 and then Leader of the County Council in 1998, following Local Government Re-organisation. I am currently Leader of the Opposition on the County Council (2001 to present).

During my time in Local Government, I have been involved with a number of regional and national bodies. I am currently Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Environment and Regeneration Executive which covers cross service issues in relation to Economic Regeneration, Transport, Planning and Waste and Environmental Management. I chaired its Integrated Transport Task Group and am Treasurer to the LGA Labour Group. I have also been Chairman of the Shires Transport Consortium for the last 12 years and still hold that office. I was a member of the LGA’s E-Governance Task Group; Chair of the County Councils Network (CCN) E-Governance Task Group and currently Chair of the CCN Labour Group.

I have also been the Chair of the North West Regional Assembly (2000 to 2001) and its Vice Chair (1999 to 2000) and Vice Chair of the Assembly’s Knowledge Economy Key Priority Group 1996 to 2004

I have very wide experience of working with leading industrialists and members from a wide range of authorities and organisations, and am committed to partnership building and an integrated approach to environment, transport and regeneration issues. I am also committed to Best Value and innovation in local and national government.

I was elected a Fellow of the Institution of Highways and Transportation in 1992.

I am a member of the Cheshire Police Authority and chair its Statutory Purposes Committee, and, a member of the Cheshire Combined Fire Authority and chair its Performance and Overview Committee.

I was born in Ellesmere Port in February 1949, and am married with 5 Stepchildren. I am a Time Served Mechanical Engineer who worked for Vauxhall Motors at Ellesmere Port for 17 years.