Cllr Shirley Ford

Shirley Ford is our Green Party councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon, elected in May 2023.

“I was delighted to be elected to work alongside our tireless Green councillor David Herbert on issues that really matter to residents and represent the views of local people in the council. As a parent, who worked in a local primary school for many years, and then caring for my mum until her passing, I care deeply about our local communities, our environment and our precious green spaces.

The impact of the proposed Local Plan and the threat to the Green Belt are of great concern to the majority of the residents we have spoken to. I have worked on this issue along with David ever since the process for a new Local Plan was started back in 2015, supporting local residents to make their voice heard. I have helped organise template responses and public meetings to assist residents, and supported local residents’ groups.

I joined the Green Party twenty years ago because of their position on the environment and social justice. The Greens also have a genuine commitment to democracy, with no “party whip” for elected councillors, meaning we can speak up for our communities.

It is a real privilege to be able to be involved in community life, as part of the singing group at the Boldon & Cleadon Community Library, in the Friends of Oakleigh Gardens group and supporting so many other wonderful activities in the two villages.”