Nick Bennett is East Sussex County Councillor for Arlington, East Hoathly and Hellingly, and Lead Member for Transport and Environment.

I believe that our stewardship of the environment and providing sustainable and necessary growth which includes opportunities for young people are the keys to maintaining our sense of belonging here.

I would like to see the development of accessibility to services whether through better transport, better awareness or personal choice, particularly for vulnerable or isolated individuals. I hope that accessibility leads to more people getting involved in local issues, from allotments to volunteering, everyone can offer something. The worst thing anyone can say is 'someone should do something'. I believe that the 'someone' is all of us.

I strongly support devolvement of authority to local councils and I will be campaigning for opportunities for young people, strong representation on road safety and for the intelligent use of resources to develop sustainable businesses and communities.

It was a great privilege to be elected as the councillor for Alfriston, East Hoathly and Hellingly. My background is in policing in London and here in Sussex, so to be elected ‘first go' was exciting and very rewarding.

I have successfully completed post-graduate studies in local governance.

But how did I get here?

I moved to East Sussex in June 2000 when I was promoted to superintendent in Sussex Police.

After leaving the police I was involved in a number of local issues including governorship of Uckfield College and conservation of Ashdown Forest. Although I was busy supporting management change with several large public bodies, I wanted to get as closely engaged with local issues as I had been in the police. So I applied, was selected and, thanks to 1720 good people, was elected!

My home life

I have been married to Joanna, who is a prolific cookery writer, for 30 years and our children have set off on their own careers. Although I have many professional interests in leadership, change and programme management, I'm a full time councillor and hope to remain so.

My spare time

In my spare time I play tennis, go to the gym and walk a lot – anything to burn off the calories that my wife's work generates.