Candidate for Stannington

I am 40, have a degree in geography and an advanced diploma in nursing. I am a Specialist Older People's Nurse working for Sheffield Primary Care Trust and my job involves supporting Care Homes in the local area. I live on Stannington Road.

I oppose the merger of Wisewood and Myers Grove schools and deplore the announcement of the decision prior to holding consultations with parents. Wisewood pupils will have long, difficult journeys to get to the proposed site as we continue to close our local schools, irrespective of their performance.

I am fully behind the "Local Communities Sustainability Bill" which, if
passed, will reverse the trend towards "Ghost Town Britain" with no local shops and services. I always try and support local independent retailers in my buying habits.

I am steadily reducing my personal "carbon footprint" as I recognise that action on climate change requires individual as well as collective action. I require a car for my work, but when my job permits I cycle to work or work from home. I also walk or use public transport in preference to the car whenever possible.

In the last year I have switched all my lightbulbs to low energy bulbs and added further insulation to my loft. I have a small vegetable garden and have recently taken on an allotment in Rivelin Valley, which I am cultivating organically. I compost virtually all my kitchen waste and recycle as much