Our three local champions for Lightwater at this year's local elections for Surrey Heath Borough Council are James Harris, Rebecca Jennings-Evans and Katia Malcaus Cooper.
James Harris:
James has been involved in the voluntary groups in Lightwater since moving into the village 7 years ago and had served as a Parish Councillor for the last 4 years on Windlesham Parish Council.
During his time on Council he has continually pressed for better facilities for Lightwater and support for local community groups and associations.
As a senior construction management professional and civil engineer his experience in working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders to deliver projects has already produced benefits to Lightwater and will strengthen the team on Surrey Heath council as it delivers on its plans for the built environment and reduction in energy consumption.
Rebecca Jennings-Evans:
My name is Rebecca Jennings-Evans. I have lived in Lightwater since 1994, having moved here after getting married. I am Mum to two, now grown children, who were both born and raised here in Lightwater. I don’t think we could have chosen a better or safer place to bring up a family. Both my children are very sporty, so having access to so many open #greenspaces on our doorstep and with so many other leisure facilities nearby has been perfect for us.
In 2011, I was persuaded to stand as Councillor and have been serving our Community since then.
Over the last twelve years I have been a Parish Councillor, Borough Councillor, and County Councillor.
In my role as a Councillor, I have gained valuable knowledge and experience. I have been Chair of the Parish Council, SHBC Chair of Audit and Standards, External Partnerships, The Villages Working Group and currently sit as the Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Community.
This has enabled me to deliver for not only Lightwater residents but also the wider community. I have been lucky enough to work with a dedicated team of officers and together we have delivered for our residents. Highlights of my achievements during my time as a Councillor have been:
- Overseeing the delivery of the Places Leisure Camberley, Leisure Centre.
- Undertaking a Borough wide review of the site security of our greenspaces. Ensuring that we protect our open spaces.
- Successfully supporting 37 families in the village to fight for Home to School Transport to Collingwood College, over the last two years.
- Aiding new businesses to open in our village.
- Delivering new Playgrounds including the one at the County Park and along with fellow Lightwater Councillors agreeing to deliver an outdoor gym and new playground in Lightwater Recreation Ground.
- Overseeing the delivery of the refurbishment and resurfacing of many of the tennis courts across the Borough.
- Delivering a Tree Strategy to emphasis the import role of Trees in our environment.
- Supporting families in the village experiencing Adult Social Care Issues.
- Delivering digital bus signs and a library sign.
- Securing vital Highways funding for the resurfacing of many of our village roads which are now scheduled to be done this financial year.
- Supporting local charities and organisations through the Councillor grants.
I never stood to be a Councillor because politics was my thing but because I believe in giving back to the Community in which I live.
This has always been important to me, which is why I was on the PTA when the children were at school, acted as a School Governor, volunteered during the Pandemic for The Lightwater Resilience Plan and continue still under the banner of Lightwater Connected and supporting local vulnerable families through the Chari-Tree Christmas Appeal. In other words, I have a history of engagement, being involved and delivering.
Essential to being a Councillor is the willingness to engage, communicate and listen. It’s about working with the residents to achieve the best for the Community. The regular residents surgeries that I have organised over the years have been invaluable in aiding me to assist resident’s with their concerns. In addition, I regularly meet with local organisations and charities to offer help where I can. It’s about individuals who regularly get involved not just when there is an election coming!
Lastly, thank you for trusting in me over the last twelve years, it has been an honour and privilege to serve our Community. I am not one for empty promises or self promotion but If I am lucky enough to be re-elected on May 4th then I promise that I will continue to do my best and to work hard for Lightwater and all it’s residents.
Katia Malcaus Cooper:
I have voted! Unsurprisingly I have voted for Cllr James Harris, Rebecca Jennings-Evans and for Katia Malcaus Cooper. I voted for the team who consistently delivers in the village. The team which is out and about doing stuff week in and week out. The team who understands the village all year round and does not just pop up at election time.
I have looked at the literature the others have put out and they seem confused as to what election this is. This is the election for Surrey Heath Borough Council. Not for County and not for Government.
This is not about who will run the Council, this is about voting for the team who does things in the village, the team who listens to residents and helps them all year round. This is about Lightwater. The village I live in and I am raising my children in. My village.
I am passionate about our village and its residents and this is why I am involved in making it a better place and have been for years.
In the last few years I have been involved in the following things:
- Set up the Lightwater Resilience Plan as a COVID-19 response service for the village. Since it was started in 2020, the LRP has fulfilled 2000 individual requests for help through its network of volunteers
- Co-founded Lightwater Connected - the volunteer network in the village.
- Co-founded the Lightwater Society which delivered the Jubilee celebrations, Christmas Lights switch on and the Fayre in the Square as well as organising the Coronation Music Festival. This is done in partnership with a wonderful team of volunteers like the fabulous L-VIS team who do such a great job in our village.
- I started a volunteer-run Youth Club which offered entertainment to 76 families. Watch out for more information on this later in the spring.
- Started shared surgeries with Surrey Police. These surgeries are a really useful way for residents to engage with the local Surrey Police team and air their concerns about many issues from petty crime, ASB, catalytic converter theft etc.
Everything I do in the village is about helping residents, making the village a better place and working collaboratively with other organisations or agencies to achieve common goals.
If I am fortunate to be elected to the Borough Council, I will continue to be a strong voice for our village and pull every stop to make sure that Surrey Heath gives Lightwater a fair deal and the residents’ needs are heeded and provided for.
I am the Councillor who does things as part of a team who delivers in the village, year round. This is not an empty election promise, this is my legacy, my track record and a promise to continue to do what I do: look after my village.
Please support me, Rebecca and James and vote for us to be your Borough Councillors and give Lightwater the voice and team it deserves.
Pictured, Rebecca Jennings-Evans, Michael Gove, Katia Malcaus Cooper and James Harris
