Penny Henderson selected to stand in Kendal Castle

In this post Penny gives some information about herself and what she stands for

Background

I am a local person and attended the Lakes School in its very first year. It was the first comprehensive school in our area, providing opportunities for all pupils regardless of their ability at 11 years of age. Both my children attended the school too.

I am lucky to have both my children nearby – one in Windermere and one in Kendal.

I am a retired Primary Headteacher and have taught in Cumbria, Yorkshire and Newcastle-on-Tyne. I care deeply about young people – their opportunities, their growth as citizens and their potential to achieve in life.

My husband passed away some time ago after a long illness and I was so grateful for the expert care and attention he received from our National Health Service. I am dismayed at creeping privatisation within the NHS.

I have been active in the Labour Party since the 1980s and for the past 12 years I have been the Constituency secretary.

I have also been a Windermere Town Councillor.

Some of the issues important to me:

• I will campaign for more social housing and affordable housing. I was lucky to benefit from low-cost housing 35 years ago. Many local families who have lived in the area all their lives find that their families cannot afford local house prices.
• I will campaign for a greener and stronger community. I think green issues should underly all council policies.
• I will press for schools to be adequately funded to ensure children have a good start in life with access to life-long education.
• I will support campaigns for better public transport both for trains and buses, and work with the National Park to look at answers to solve traffic congestion.

My hopes

I really hope that the new Unitary Authority of Westmorland and Furness is Labour controlled and will continue to deliver key services to meet local needs – not a top-down, one size fits all approach, but a Labour council that will listen to and involve local people in shaping and delivering their services.