Tag: UDC 2019: Broad Oak & Hallingburys

Cllr Geof Driscoll

Geof has lived in Uttlesford for 20+ years. After a 30 year career in senior management in road-haulage, he is now vice-chair of Uttlesford District Council, where he also sits on the scrutiny, governance, and audit committees, highways panel, and housing board.

“I believe that we should always fight for local residents. I feel that there is a correct balance between protecting our heritage and investing in the future for the youth of our district. I strongly believe that we, the residents of Uttlesford, have a right to control local issues not be told by national parties “this is what will be good for you.” Geof Driscoll

WardAbout/BioContact

Where do you live?

I have lived in Birchanger for the last 22+ years with my wife Angie.

Do you have any councillor or political experience?

I served on the Birchanger Parish Council for eight years in the early 2000s until work responsibilities altered my available hours. I am now retired and have been an Uttlesford District Councillor since 2019. I an currently vice-chair of Uttlesford District Council, as I also sit on the scrutiny, governance, and audit committees, highways panel, and housing board.

Any work details that you may want to highlight that add to your experience?

In addition to 12 years as a local councillor, I am a qualified transport manager, with over 30 years of international experience including divisional management for a blue-chip multinational organisation. I have operated my own transport consultancy (compliance and training) since 2009 and am an avid supporter of Road Safety.

Do you participate in community or residents’ groups, boards, or charities?

I was Birchanger’s local Poppy Appeal organiser for 15 years raising approximately £50,000 for ex-servicemen and women. I currently sit on the Birchanger Sports and Social Club committee, as well as on the Freight Transport Association Easton Region Council.

Why did you stand for Residents for Uttlesford?

As residents of Uttlesford, national issues and local issues rarely carry the same weight in our daily lives. Of course, everyone has the right to vote for which person/party they wish, but only locally focused parties can deliver specific local democracy. By providing real, transparent leadership R4U, at a local level is representing our local interests.

By reorganising the way UDC is structured, and by using the best skills and tools available, R4U has been able to deliver higher levels of services. But we need four more years to deliver on our programme of improvement at UDC. Let’s all make sure we make the most of where we love to live – together.

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    Cllr Neil Reeve

    Neil Reeve is an experienced Chartered Engineer with 40+ years’ experience. He was previously the chair of an energy industry division of ISO, the international standard-setting organisation. He is a councillor at High Easter Parish Council. At Uttlesford District Council he is currently Portfolio Holder for the Economy, Investment and Corporate Plan. In his spare time he volunteers for nature conservancy causes.

    “It’s very straightforward. We need a second term to finish the job at UDC. As a Ward Member for Broad Oak and the Hallingburys, I’ve really valued working with the four parish councils, and my colleague Geof Driscoll. I feel that we are helping the community and making a difference. I remain frustrated by the Westminster driven parties. We have found a lot wrong with what we inherited at UDC. We are putting a lot right, but there is still much to do. It’s very important that residents are listened to. We do that. We need local residents’ views, local decisions, and more local infrastructure” Neil Reeve

    WardAbout/BioContact

    Where you live and how long you’ve lived in the area?

    My wife and I have had a home in Uttlesford for more than 20 years. After my retirement in 2012 I became increasingly involved in village, parish and local issues. Prior to this we lived and worked all over the world, including Malaysia, South Korea, Denmark, New Zealand and The Netherlands.

    Our three children each have their own families (giving us 5 grandchildren in total) and lead diverse lives. One lives in Kent and works for Kent County Council. One lives in Holland and works in the University of Utrecht Library. One is currently working for Oxfam in Myanmar.

    Any councillor or political experience you may have?

    I’ve been a UDC councillor for the Broad Oak and the Hallingburys ward since 2019 and at UDC I lead the Economy, Business, Council Strategy and Investments portfolios. I am also a member of the High Easter Parish Council.

    Any work details that you may want to highlight that add to your experience?

    I am a Chartered Engineer with approximately 40 years of international experience. I worked with Royal Dutch Shell until I retired from them in 2012. For the first third of my career I worked as a Structural Engineer designing, building and maintaining offshore platforms. Thereafter I developed Shell’s system of specifications and standards for all their operations worldwide. In this capacity, I became chair of the committee in an International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) responsible for international standards the oil and gas industry. I maintained this role till mid-2019. I have learned how to listen to very diverse groups and lead the parties to an agreement (a consensus standard).

    Are you involved in any community or residents’ groups, boards, charities, or volunteering?

    I’m a director, trustee and treasurer of the East of England Apples and Orchards Project (EEAOP). This is a charity, with a trading arm (i.e. under Charities Commission and Companies House), whose aim is the collect and conserve the region’s heritage fruit trees; and get these (re-)planted throughout the region.

    I am also a treasurer, and committee member of the Essex Beekeepers Association (EBKA) (Braintree Division).

    Why did you stand for Residents for Uttlesford?

    I was impressed that in a short time Residents for Uttlesford had already made an impact for our district. In 4 years of leading UDC, we’ve made significant improvements for residents. We need 4 more years to finish the job.

    The key point is that R4U is a party for local issues, not national ones. It can therefore be more agile to steer the district council in a direction that residents in the Uttlesford want, rather than as directed by a Westminster-based party.

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