Hi there. My name is Cherry Waters and I am standing in the forthcoming by-election for Selby District Council in the Byram and Brotherton ward on behalf of the Green Party. Why? Because I believe that having a Green voice on the council can make a real, positive difference to the area and that Selby needs that Green voice just as much as anywhere. I have lived in the Selby district (South Milford) for over 30 years, teaching in local schools and colleges. My husband was a local GP, and all 3 of our children went through local primary and secondary schools. I was a founder member of the village toddler group (still going strong after 30 years) and served as a governor at South Milford Primary and Sherburn High Schools. As a member of Selby & District Green Party, I have worked with the local Parish Council to keep footpaths and bridlepaths open – and tried to get closed ones reopened – as well as to encourage responsible use of them. I organised a village anti-litter poster competition and I led our project to place recycling collection points around the region for lateral flow test and other PPE waste. I am also a trustee for a piece of woodland in the district to ensure it is maintained as a valuable resource for local residents. We are nothing without a healthy environment in which to live, and we ignore it at our peril. Our impact on the environment must always be high on the agenda. Being the Green voice on the council, I would ensure environmental impact is always high on Selby District Council’s agenda too, in every decision they make.