A NEWLY-ELECTED Lib Dem councillor’s aim is to make the Kingstone ward a ‘cleaner, pleasant and safer’ place to live - and he’s already been busy to make sure it comes to fruition.

Councillor Ian Guest was elected in the Kingstone ward earlier this month and, after previously being a councillor in the Central ward in the 2000s, he admits his previous experience should come in handy.

And it’s certainly been a busy few weeks for him - with his main aim to make his ward better for those who live there.

He told the Chronicle: “The first few weeks have been a whirl of induction and training.

“It has been a big job to align my personal diary with the council diary and trying to fit in my volunteer work.

“Fortunately, this is not my first experience of being a councillor but then that was eighteen years ago.

“There have been so many changes, one thing that has not changed are residents’ enquiries.

“I have dealt with enquiries from illegally parked caravans to noisy inspection covers and potholes - and many more.

“I am not afraid of hard work but I know the work load will be very heavy as the ward covers a large geographical area.

“I have undertaken walks around the ward doing litter picks and noting problems that have not been reported, such as overhanging bushes and fly tipping.

“My aspirations for the ward are that it should be a cleaner, pleasant and safer place to live, with access to safe green space and children’s play areas.

“We need safer roads, with easy access to public transport and community activities with community involvement.

“It would be great if we could get more people involved with volunteering in the community including younger people especially if the volunteering could lead to employment.”