Councillor PATRICK BENTLEY

Posted by NPC Admin on Tuesday, 26th July 2011, 14:09

95 Noke Common, Parkhurst, PO30 5TY.

Tel: 01983 248287

Mob: 07795 201913
Email: pat.bentleyready@gmail.com

Born in London (1947), I served for 22 years in the Royal Marines. Having enjoyed myself immensely during that time, I finally settled in Portsmouth. Here I had a variety of jobs, including freelance artist, print broker, and finally working for the Post Office.

My partner and I moved to the Island by chance 5 years ago, and have since been working hard to turn our ‘homestead’ into a sustainable venture. I have a long-standing interest in sustainable living, and we are getting closer to the ideal every day.

I have no political aspirations, (though I am by nature a Conservative), and strongly believe that local politics should be just that, locally driven and not nationally dictated. At parish level, I believe it should be people politics, not party politics.

My reason for serving is to help provide a voice outside that of the main political parties, away from nationally driven initiatives; in particular the imposition of increased high-density housing and additional population loading, planning (the use of gardens as ‘brown-field sites’), and the creation of good quality, affordable housing. Local communities need local solutions, and the retention of young people in jobs that are worthwhile and in homes they can afford should be the priority of every local council.