Hastings and Rye Liberal Democrats

About Nick Perry

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Hastings and Rye

Educated at Cambridge and London Universities, Nick read History for his first degree. Following a period living and working in Cambridge, Nick moved to London where he worked in the anti-poverty lobby. Nick went on to train as a social worker, qualifying with a masters degree in social work in 2002. He has held different social work, policy and research positions, working mainly with older adults, and in adult mental health settings.

Nick's passion for social justice has shaped his approach to politics. He first became involved with the Lib Dems in the London Borough of Lambeth - one of the most diverse and disadvantaged boroughs in the country - where he was appointed an advisor to the Lib Dem Group. He went on to become the Group's spokesperson on social justice and tackling poverty.

Nick has always wanted to live by the sea and his move to Hastings in 2007 was a dream come true. Nick lives on the West Hill with his family, and works as a senior practitioner social worker in the local community mental health team.

Hailing from St Helens, he is a committed supporter of his home town rugby league team. He also enjoys cooking, spending time with friends and family, swimming and jazz.

• May 17, 2012:
  • Thanks for your support

    As you will know by now, despite a 5% swing from Labour to Liberal Democrat (against the national trend) and a 10% increase in our vote share, Labour was given a second chance in Castle on 3 May.

    I wish Castle's new councillor Judy Rogers well, and as a Castle resident myself will watch to see whether Labour makes good another set of promises.

    For my part, I will continue to do what I can to make sure that Castle is a nicer, safer and cleaner place to live and work. And to that end, if there are issues of concern that you want to raise with us, please don't hesitate to get in touch. You know where we are!

    My sincere thanks if you felt able to vote for me at this year's election.

    
    
• Apr 30, 2012:
  • There is only one Castle Ward resident on the ballot paper

    In case you hadn't guessed - it's me!

    
    
• Apr 19, 2012:
  • My open letter to West Hill residents on the subject of communal bins

    Dear Resident,

    I live on the West Hill. In fact I am the only candidate for the coming election who lives in Castle. I have been actively involved in campaigning against communal bins for the West Hill since the idea was first mooted by the Conservative Council in 2008. We celebrated in 2009 as the Council abandoned its plans in the wake of the WHAC campaign; and then WHAC had to re-organise at the end of 2011 when the Labour Cabinet member for the Environment suggested that communal bins were still a possibility for the West Hill.

    Let me make it absolutely clear where I am on this - I want refuse and recycling solutions that have the support of the local community, and which increase recycling rates. The Council has failed to engage in a proper discussion with local residents about what will work here on the West Hill. There should be no changes to the current arrangements without proper consultation. If elected, I will call a meeting in partnership with West Hill groups and residents to discuss how to increase recycling rates and ensure that our streets are clean.

    There is no evidence to suggest that communal bins increase recycling rates, and the residents of the West Hill are rightly concerned about the implications of them in respect of anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping, access for disabled and older residents, and parking. My position on communal bins for the West Hill has not changed since 2008: I back WHAC. I hope the West Hill will back me to represent our views at the Town Hall.

    
    
• Apr 15, 2012:
  • Goodbye to Dave as West Hill Café proves a wonderful evening venue

    Friday evening saw a lovely party at the West Hill Café to say goodbye and good travels to Dave Newman and his wife after 21 years of service at the Plynlimmon and Whitefriars Road grocery shops.

    I have written before (in my wine column for The Hastings & St Leonard's Resident) just what a wonderful quality and range of produce Dave has provided at these local shops (and how he has saved my culinary bacon on many an occasion after a vital ingredient had been forgotten), however it was great to see so many people there to tell him the same thing!

    His shops have been a real part of keeping a sense of community on the West Hill and we can only hope that his successors will have the same sort of attitude that he has - ready to go the extra mile, particularly to cater for the needs of our older residents.

    The West Hill Café proved a great success as an evening venue (and hopefully the neighbours agreed). It would be fantastic to see it used more in the evening. It is certainly one of the most picturesque spots imagineable.

    The Newmans are off on their travels to China but hope to come back to settle here at some point in the future. For now, good luck, and thank you again!

    
    
• Apr 1, 2012:
  • Local people want St Mary in the Castle to be kept as an arts centre

    At the end of March, coinciding with the close of the period to make an expression of interest to become the new lessee of St Mary in the Castle, Lib Dem campaigner Nick Perry has delivered a petition to Hastings Borough Council signed by more than 300 supporters.

    The petition, delivered to the Borough Solicitor on 30 March, is intended to demonstrate to the Council the strength of local feeling about this iconic building. Local people want the building to remain available for arts and live performance.

    Speaking outside Aquila House, Nick Perry said, "People from across the Borough and from further afield have been very clear in their support of what has been provided at St Mary in the Castle in the recent past. They are clear that the venue is well suited to the arts, and has a wonderful live performance space with fantastic acoustics. This building is not just a jewel in Hastings' crown, but in the crown of the whole region.

    "As it considers the expressions of interest received, we are asking the Council to listen to the voice of local people on this issue. There was a serious mistake made at the beginning of the process, when no specific reference was made in the documentation to retaining St Mary in the Castle as an arts centre, but the Council has an opportunity to make up for this mistake and announce a preferred provider who will safeguard and improve on the work that has been done in recent months.

    "As we celebrate the success of the new gallery on the Stade, my view remains that the Council needs to have a clear strategy for developing our whole seafront: from the Old Town to West St Leonards. Securing the future of St Mary in the Castle as an arts centre should be a major plank of such a strategy."

    You can still show your support for Nick's campaign by signing the petition on our local party website:

    http://har0ld.org.uk/en/petition/i-want-st-mary-in-the-castle-to-be-kept-as-an-arts-centre

    
    
• Mar 25, 2012:
  • Nick backs Labour Leader over parking charges freeze

    This is my letter to the Hastings Observer published on Friday:

    Dear Editor,

    It's sometimes more important to say when you agree with a political opponent than when you don't.

    So for this reason I hope you will publish this letter in support of the remarks made by Cllr Birch at the recent Budget debate about the economic importance of freezing car parking charges across Hastings. Cllr Birch is right that this will support the town centre and our retail sector in particular.

    We must not deter people from spending their money here - visiting our attractions and supporting our local businesses.

    The national press suggests that the green shoots of growth are starting to peek through.

    We must do all what we can to nurture them for the good of our town.

    Yours truly,

    Nick Perry
    Castle Ward Lib Dems

    
    
• Mar 12, 2012:
  • Local Lib Dems play their part in 'Rebel' Health win

    The Hastings & Rye Liberal Democrats played their part in national politics at the weekend as grassroots members showed Nick Clegg and the Lib Dem leadership that they continue to have real concerns about Andrew Lansley's Health & Social Care Bill.

    On the evening before Liberal Democrat Spring Conference in Gateshead the local party voted by majority to endorse the Rebel motion put to the Conference the following day.

    Nick Perry, parliamentary spokesman for the Lib Dems said,

    "Lib Dem members have sent a clear message to Nick Clegg and the party leadership that we remain unhappy with Andrew Lansley's Bill. As a signatory of the emergency motion I have felt for some time that we need to keep asking whether the proposed Bill is better than no Bill at all?

    "Whilst we did not get our way over the scrapping of the Bill, through the successful amendment of Shirley Williams' motion we have demonstrated that we are not willing to be ridden roughshod over by the Coalition on the NHS. I never doubted this, but it is reassuring to know that as a local party we are in tune with our colleagues across the country."

    
    
• Mar 10, 2012:
  • Town Centre trip hazard - sorted.
    

    Nick has ensured that the trip hazard in the Town Centre has been made safe

    I am pleased to let you know that East Sussex County Council has taken swift action after Castle Ward Lib Dems contacted them about the broken and wobbly paving stones in the middle of the pedestrian area at Wellington Place in the Town Centre.

    Although the tarmac repair looks a bit ugly, at least it will stop any nasty accidents.

    I bumped into Town Centre Manager Rob Woods whilst checking the repairs and he mentioned that the Borough Council will, in due course, be making the area look nicer.

    Good news all round.

    
    
• Feb 26, 2012:
  • Litter problems between Hastings Museum and Holmbury House will be tackled
    

    Nick is working with the local council to make sure the Town Centre is a nice place to live

    As my job is based in the centre of Hastings I am regularly following up bits of casework for people who live in Castle Ward.

    Last week I wrote to Mr Mead, who is head of Waste & Street Scene Services at Hastings Borough Council, to inform him about the litter problem above the high wall between the Museum and Holmbury House.

    Mr Mead has written back as follows:

    "We have had a look at this and concluded that this is private land, we will try to establish the owner and attempt to get them to clear the litter. We believe they have recently cut back vegetation which has exposed the litter."

    I have asked Cambridge Road residents to keep me posted about any improvements - or none. Together we can make a difference to the town centre.

    
    
  • Good news for residents at Holmesdale Gardens
    

    The Castle Ward Forum committee has agreed to fund a new grit bin for Holmesdale Gardens

    At the beginning of the month I took residents' views about icy pavements to the Castle Ward Forum committee.

    I am pleased to say that at its last meeting, the committee agreed to fund a new grit bin for Holmesdale Gardens, and we are in the process of sorting the siting of it with East Sussex County Council.

    As per Mr Walker-Hill's recent letter in the paper about Wallinger's Walk, please do get in touch and let me know if there are other difficult and dangerous areas that were not dealt with properly in the recent cold snap.

    It shouldn't be too much to expect that the relevant local government authority will make safe our roads and steep walkways…