Gosh, it doesn’t seem possible that nearly 20 years have passed since I left Barclays and was scouting around for somethings to do that would use my grey matter!
I can remember setting myself three goals: –
1. To be more involved in my local community
2. To volunteer at the Princess Alice Hospice in Esher
3. To offer my services at the Beacon School as a School Governor
All three were accomplished, but it was the first that has really involved me over the last 18 years. My attendance at the Local Residents meeting quickly led a year or so later to my election as a Reigate and Banstead Borough Councillor representing the Tattenham’s ward.

To say that I have really enjoyed the last 18 years representing you would be a complete understatement. During my time as a Ward Councillor, I have been the Councils representative as a non-executive board member at Raven, chaired their audit committee and have been an almost a permanent member of the Council’s Employment committee.
I guess though the major challenge and most rewarding role has been on the Council’s Planning committee. It is never a Councillors role to stop Back Garden development but alongside my fellow ward councillors we have scrutinised all applications and ensured that either amendments have been made to make them more suitable for our patch or with your help we have worked to defeat inappropriate developments, with some notable successes!
It was my complete honour and privilege to represent this Borough as Mayor last year and I have many happy memories. I am so pleased that I had the opportunity to undertake this role before standing down as your local representative. And now all good things must come to an end!
Tim Snuggs comes with an excellent pedigree and I am thrilled to have found such an energetic candidate to replace me. He is a local man living within our ward and as such will have his finger on the pulse to ensure good things continue to happen. He has my full support as well as that of the Residents Association committee members who have voted for him to be our “Candidate elect” in the Local 2023 election. You will have the opportunity to meet him and hopefully ratify our decision at the AGM in March!
Thank you so much for all your support during my time as one of your Borough Councillors and I will continue to be a member of the Tattenham and Preston Residents Association – working to keep our area a wonderful area to live in!

Thanks again Jill