Who am I?

I’m a young professional, working as a marketing manager. I've owned my own home in Wavendon Gate for 15 years and lived in Milton Keynes for 20 years. After living here so long, I understand the needs of the area - as someone who uses both private and public transport, the local amenities and shops. I’m active in campaigning and am currently the chairman of the Walton & Simpson NAG (Neighbourhood Action Group). We've made good progress in tackling local issues with the NAG and I'm proud of the impact we've made. I've also been involved with the Milton Keynes Broadband Action Group for the past few years. In my spare time I'm interested in my sport - a martial art - plus helping friends and colleagues set up and improve their own businesses. Both of these hobbies keep me understanding what we can do to build a better community together.

What is a parish council?

A parish council is responsible for such things as allotments, youth clubs, recreation/play areas and other local day-to-day issues that matter. Walton parish has a low precept (tax rate), yet still delivers some great services.

News and updates

New Newsletter, December 2009

I've got approval with the rest of the Parish Council members, that from January 2010, the Parish Council newsletter will move to being a more glossy, hand delivered magazine type newsletter - with a saving of over £3,000 per year to residents in the parish at the same time.  All part of my promise to deliver more clear, regular and open communications to residents.

Radio Interview, 12th September 2009

I was fortunate enough to be contacted by Lisa Crane, who hosts the Farmer Don's Good Life Show on RadioMK each Saturday.  We talked about allotments, food provenance and seasonal cooking.  We didn't manage to get an audio grab, but here's the interview transcribed.

Original Campaign

After a short and friendly campaign (the original door-to-door flyer is here), it was announced on the evening of Thursday, July 16th, that I had been duly elected as a new parish councillor, serving on Walton Parish Council.  The voting was as follows:

Total votes: 777.  Spoilt ballots:  20.  Adam Chapman:  430.  Shelagh Elizabeth Wakefield Snaith:  327.

Here's the press release based around my election.

My priority items

My priority items - the first things that I will encourage the parish council to do, are:

1. Open allotments in Wavendon Gate
2. Finalise the on-going work to open a youth club
3. Support the NAG to reduce litter, graffiti & anti-social behaviour
4. Have better communication with residents, so everyone knows who the parish council is and what it is doing

What are your thoughts?

I'm interested in hearing your thoughts. Let me know if you agree with my priority items — or what your own would be. I'm advocating the parish council “partnership work”, so that all relevant parties come together to create a true solution, not just a quick fix — do you think this is the right approach?

Get in contact with me by e-mail to waltonparish@adamchapman.com

Similarly, if you can help deliver parish council flyers or spread the word of future campaigns, or for the NAG, please get in touch.