Name: Toks Bailey (Conservative)
Ward: Peninsula
Please can you tell Greenwich.co.uk readers a little about yourself.
I was born in London and brought up in the UK and Nigeria. I’m active in the community through my church and through housing and children’s groups. I’m a full time parent – my children went to local schools, and I’m a Governor at Charlton and Willow Dene Schools. I also founded and run JMF, a charity for young people with disabilities. I enjoy meeting people through my work and getting involved in local activities – sharing our enthusiasm together and most importantly having fun!
Why does it matter that people vote in council elections?
This election is being held alongside a General Election. Whilst most people’s attention will be on the national elections, the local elections are important too: each voter has three votes they can cast, electing representatives who will have a say over issues that can have a significant impact on everyone’s daily lives: the standards of education, the number of police on the streets and the standard of local facilities and services. With the right leadership, local councils can make a big difference to our quality of life: this election is a chance for us to choose that leadership.
Why are you standing to be a councillor?
I have been involved in the local community for a number of years. As the founder of a charity, a parent whose children went and go to school in Greenwich and an active member of a number of local community groups, I have experience of what it’s like to try and work with the Council across a number of different issues. I am standing as a candidate so that I can work to make the Peninsula and the borough a safer and cleaner place to live and work, and make the council work harder to deliver better quality, better value services – I believe that the experience I have learned so far will help me make that happen if I’m elected.
What do you like most about the area you wish to represent?
I really like East Greenwich Pleasurance – it’s a special place tucked away off the tourist trail that provides a nice alternative to Greenwich Park on a sunny day.
If elected, what would be your priorities for the Peninsula ward over the next four years?
-Reducing congestion across the ward. By asking local people what measures they would like to see put in place to manage traffic on the main roads and discouraging traffic from speeding through residential areas, and by encouraging use of alternatives to the car where possible.
-Putting more police on the streets of the ward. Residents and businesses would like to see a greater police presence in the area. I want the Peninsula to be seen as a safer place to live, work and relax – at all times of day and night.
-Giving East Greenwich a clearer voice on Council issues. Much of the Council’s funding priorities are focused on Woolwich – as witnessed by the attempted closure of Greenwich Law Centre last year which we petitioned against. I would like to see a greater commitment by the council to keep services like the Law Centre and Library open.