I’m Jim Atkinson and I have been selected to stand as Labour candidate for the third term on Durham County Council in May. As current Cllr for Aycliffe East (soon to be Aycliffe South), I’m privileged to represent the interests of residents on numerous important committees.
I am passionate about my council work and grateful for the help and contributions I get from the residents. My core values are; what is best for Newton Aycliffe, Aycliffe Village and the County as a whole. I am actively involved in maintaining community services and looking for new innovative solutions for solving problems we all face. I work hard on the personable qualities I most admire which are: integrity, dedication, passion, sense of humour and approachability. When looking into problems I focus my attention on: listening, evidence, fairness and common sense.
My primary goals as a councillor are: the furtherance of a ten-year plan to bring commerce, retail and entertainment into the town and stop the economic investment in shopping migrating to benefit other towns. I believe that by focussing on investment at home it is the best way to control the increasing burden on the Council Tax.
I have been very successful over the last eight years, finding and allocating funding for a vast number of projects. Importantly, the funding is often expanded in value, by the money sponsors contribute with their match funding, to support the application.
Thank you for electing me in 2017 and 2021. I am excited about the opportunity to serve for another term and to work together towards a better future for us.
Cllr Jim Atkinson.