My values are Labour and my focus is Sacriston ward, it’s as simple as that.
I was proud to become a County Councillor for Labour at the last election and have worked incredibly hard to represent the community that I love and have been an active member of for as long as I can remember.
Whether it’s promoting the businesses we have and attracting new ones through our Sacriston Shops initiative or bringing together the communities within our area to organise Sacriston in Bloom, my priority has always been and will always be helping and supporting the people of this ward.
I honestly believe that every penny of budget secured for Sacriston, Plawsworth, Nettlesworth, Kimblesworth and Edmondsley has delivered a positive impact.
We have caught fly-tippers with hidden cameras, created disabled access to Edmondsley Post Office, planted a Prayer Garden at St Bede’s School, replaced the roof of Nettlesworth Community Centre, helped organise Segga Rocks music festival and helped young people find a safe place to hang out with the Youth Hub on the Front Street.
This is just the tip of the iceberg, but real examples of how public money is being invested to deliver genuine public benefit.
I am a trustee of Durham Pride UK and a strong allie to the LGBTQI community. As well as helping organise event, I volunteer in the Pride Café and deliver domestic violence training in same sex relationships to the voluntary sector on behalf of Durham Pride.
In this ward and across the county, we face some enormous challenges, most notably trying to support people living in poverty through no fault of their own. Labour is doing this despite a dwindling budget due to the ongoing impact of Government austerity.
However, people are safe with Labour. They will be supported by Labour. And as long as I am a councillor for Sacriston, they will have a passionate advocate and strong voice at county level.
The Sacriston ward is improving, but there remains a long way to go before we can call ourselves a success story. However, I have no doubt that with hard work, determination and by uniting as a community, we will get there. And we will get there under a Labour-led County Council.
Please vote for me in the forthcoming May elections and I will continue to fight for the people, the businesses and the future of our community.
Hear more from Heather about why #LabourWorks for Sacriston: