Connie Nolan

Connie Nolan, who represents Barton, is well known figure in the ward who works hard to represent the views of the residents. She believes that local government is best served by empowering local communities rather than the imposition of top-down solutions and was instrumental in the successful Labour-led campaign to save the trees in St George’s Street. She opposed closing the market and together with other Labour councillors managed to secure a better outcome for shoppers and traders alike.

She says: “Barton Ward has many challenges especially around traffic management. We need better cycle paths and more safe crossing points”. She is a strong advocate for well-planned housing and demands better infrastructure in new developments. She stepped down after four years on the City Council’s Planning Committee when it became obvious that she needed to be critical of development plans for Barton Ward, and with other Labour councillors, she supported the amendments giving more voice to residents. “It’s the best solution to a very difficult situation, it’s not in the council’s power to provide things like sewage infrastructure but we are not living in medieval times”.

Connie is a trustee of several local community groups and a school governor. She has helped local residents and residents’ associations. She is also active in heritage projects and is looking forward to a renaissance of Canterbury as an integrated city that meets the needs of residents, tourists, and students. Connie taught strategy and human resource management at Christ Church university and was the first woman leader of the union there.