Loving every minute

Cllr Nicola Clarke leaning on a fence post with a field behind

As a new councillor for St Giles after last year’s election, Nicola Clarke is already making a difference in the area

After an enjoyable and varied career within local government in Cumbria, I moved back to my hometown of Lincoln, in 2013. Cumbria is a beautiful County, but I longed to return to the wide-open fields and big skies of Lincolnshire, I really missed the countryside and open spaces as well as the wonderful coastal areas and of course the people!

My work in Cumbria was truly valuable to me, not just as a career choice but also the opportunity to become a home educator for one of my daughters and a school governor. I was able to further my own education, and my development as a local City Councillor.

When I moved back to Lincoln, I was keen to continue my involvement within local government. I was thrilled to win the County Council seat for St.Giles Division and have been able to draw on my previous work experience, both as an employee within City and County Councils and as a City Councillor.

One year in, and I hope I am making progress of my own.  I have had success with a few projects already, such as establishing restricted parking, the planting of new trees and restoration of verges, a new school crossing patrol at Carleton Boulevard, as well as working to improve litter collections and bins, help to obtain funding for a local community garden and a start-up project to restore a small play area and of course make time to visit, meet and communicate with residents and make new acquaintances and work colleagues.

I recently had the pleasure to meet with pupils and staff who make up the school council at St Giles Academy. It was fabulous to hear how the children are engaged in their local area, putting forward their ideas to improve the traffic issues they raised.

It has been a busy first year for me, getting to know residents, particularly the volunteer groups and individuals, who are the beating heart of this wonderful community. It is such a privilege for me to serve St Giles Division and I am so proud to always speak of the warmth and community spirit I continue to encounter. Truly, I am loving every minute of it.

Cllr Nicola Clarke is the Conservative councillor for St Giles, Lincoln and she lives in Nocton with her husband Mike, who is also a county councillor. They have eight children between them. Cllr Clarke will sit on the Adults and Well Being Committee as well as the Public Protection Committee.

To contact Cllr Clarke e-mail: cllrn.clarke@lincolnshire.gov.uk  

Published: 5th September 2022