Name: Matthew Pennycook (Labour)
Ward: Greenwich West
Please can you tell Greenwich.co.uk readers a little about yourself.
I live in Tarves Way on the Rubicon development where I have helped set up a thriving Residents Association and I am a Governor at James Wolfe Primary school. My background is in the third sector where I have worked on campaigns and policy with organisations such as Child Poverty Action Group as well as heading national campaigns for the Fair Pay Network – a national coalition of fourteen anti-poverty organisations committed to taking action to highlight and tackle working poverty in Britain. I am also a Greenwich organiser for Hope not Hate, the national campaign working to expose the extremism behind the British National Party, and I’ve been campaigning over the last year across the Borough to make sure we don’t see a BNP councillor elected on May 6th. In my spare time I enjoy running, reading and practicing my Chinese (mandarin) which I have studied for the past five years.
Why does it matter that people vote in council elections?
Most of the decisions that effect people on a day-to-day basis take place at a local level so council elections are just as important as general elections. Politics affects everyone and involvement in the political process is essential to meeting the common challenges we face as a community. Democracies exist only by virtue of the engagement of their citizens. So if you value the safety of your home and family, the cleanliness of the streets around your home, or the quality of services and life in your local area then you need to vote for it and elect representatives who know and live in the ward with you and who have the experience and ability to understand your concerns and champion your interests.
Why are you standing to be a councillor?
Faith in politics may be at an all time low but I still believe in the power of people working together to improve their lives. I am standing to be a councillor because I have seen both professionally and in the voluntary work I do what can be achieved if committed individuals work together toward common goals. I believe I have the energy and the skills needed to advance the interests of Greenwich West residents and to continue to build on the progress made in our area over the last few years.
What do you like most about the area you wish to represent?
I love many things about Greenwich but our Royal Park stands out as my favourite thing in Greenwich West. It is an immense privilege to live so close to such a beautiful piece of parkland which is used and valued by so many residents.
If elected, what would be your priorities for the Peninsula ward over the next four years?
If elected I will work hard to build a fairer, safer and greener Greenwich West. My priorities would be:
• To safeguard our two Sure Start Children’s centres and to ensure our local schools improve faster.
• To ensure that the Olympic events in Greenwich Park are an enjoyable experience for residents and that the Park is returned in the same or better condition as it is in now.
• I believe in decent, affordable local homes so I will work hard to ensure that we build upon the work of the Decent Homes Programme locally and continue to improve our social housing stock.
• To preserve and maintain important local landmarks including Greenwich Market.