I've lived in Weedon since 2009 and joined the Parish Council in March 2011 at the suggestion of another councillor. There happened to be a vacancy when I went to a meeting to ask about a planning application. I thought long and hard about joining because I had been a Parish Clerk & Town Councillor elsewhere and understood the work involved.

Having joined, I quickly realised that my previous experience could best be used in planning. I am now retired but my career has been in the social policy and welfare sector including running a Citizens Advice Bureau, planning development of social services in a neighbouring county and jointly working with Milton Keynes health authority to develop new projects and services for older people. My first degree had been in Geography but as my 2 daughters became more independent I went back to University to take a Masters Degree and became a social worker ending my employed working life managing a child protection team.

I have a strong commitment to social justice. The Parish Council is a way of putting this into practice. Heading up the Neighbourhood Plan steering group was an opportunity to enable more people to have a say in the future of the village, question what goes on and help to make Weedon Bec fit for future challenges and generations.

Ann is a member of: Policy & Asset Review Group, Planning Committee and is Chairman of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group.