After frantically catching-up following the local elections, Council business usually quietens down over the Summer. This year was different: we’ve redrafted the council’s Corporate Strategy and Transformation Plans (outlining how the organisation will work and what it’s priorities will be over coming years), continued working on redevelopment of the Town Hall site and restructured senior management, ensuring we have the right team at the council to take on the challenges Crawley is facing.

Many residents have contacted me recently expressing concerns over the apparent increase of drugs and violence in Crawley. It’s been a big worry for me too and I’ve been very clear about the need for a greater police presence in the town to take this problem head on. Unfortunately, this isn’t something the council controls directly, but until we get the policing residents deserve we we will keep give up the fight for the police we need.