‘After a hard few years trying, I was successful in achieving what I had wanted by becoming a District Councillor with SKDC for the Belmont ward in Grantham’, writes Councillor Elvis Stooke.

After a hard few years trying, I was successful in achieving what I had wanted by becoming a District Councillor with SKDC for the Belmont ward, writes Councillor Elvis Stooke.

This came to me as a shock on the night of elections, too, but it was clear what the community wanted. They know I worked hard with the Blessed Hugh Moore site. I have also worked hard within the community on many issues even before I was elected.

Since becoming a councillor in the last couple of months I have learnt that there is a a lot more to it than I first thought. I will continue to do my best to help my constituents in every way possible.

As many of you may know, I have gone against the council on many occasions over the years. Maybe I have been a bit too harsh, as I now see the reason why certain things can not get done within the time frame expected.

I also took on the role as vice chairman of the licensing committee. I felt this was the right place for me in SKDC as I used to be the Grantham Pub Watch chairman and also worked in the industry for many years. In this position as vice chairman for the committee, I have seen that all political parties of the council can work together to make important decisions and this is great to see.

I am certainly looking forward to the next four years knowing that myself and the current administration will do all we can for the district and Grantham, to get the jobs done and we will certainly look after the pennies.

But most of all, we will put the pride back into Grantham. I was told once that I couldn't be a councillor if I had a daytime job, well a couple of months down the line I don't seem to be doing a bad job, so thank you to all my constituents, colleagues and to the SKDC staff for making me so welcome.