Conservative values are my core values and I am a strong advocate for supporting the private sector with low taxation and sensible regulation while encouraging wider personal responsibility, to take our country forward.
Found my way to Waveney Valley
I grew up with Conservative parents who hosted Association meetings at home. I joined the Party at school and was Chairman of the Young Conservatives. Meeting Mr & Mrs Thatcher at Newbury Racecourse was a highlight.
After school I went off to the US, securing a BA in Politics while developing huge interest in US politics and I have attended all but one US Presidential election since 1985.
I returned to Durham University as a post-graduate student and then embarked on a career in international banking in The City, working with governments, central banks and the commercial sector.
I have lived in Waveney Valley since 2003, first in Worlingworth and now in Athelington. I became a Governor of Worlingworth CEVC Primary School in 2009. I have been a Mid Suffolk District Councillor since 2011 and Leader of Suffolk County Council since 2018.
Political Experience
My primary role as Leader of SCC is to ensure we meet our statutory duties, deliver our manifesto pledges, live within the tight financial constraints whilst keeping council tax increases to a minimum.
I have led on the County Council’s response to the pandemic, working with Ministers to deliver the emergency response across the county. Suffolk was widely recognised as having performed well in supporting our residents at this very difficult time.
As Leader I have coordinated our response to the 14 Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects which is equivalent to 10% of the energy total for the UK. These range from a nuclear power station, Sizewell C, solar and wind farms such as Sunniccca and Scottish Power Renewables windfarm, to A12/A14 improvements at Copdock.
More recently I have been clear about our opposition to the proposed Norwich to Tilbury pylon run and have written to National Grid with the Leaders of Essex CC and Norfolk CC expressing our collective concerns. See the letter here: twitter.com/HicksCllr
Other very recent areas of work include:
I have negotiated with Government the first in principle £500m County Devolution Deal in the country giving the opportunity for greater local decision making subject to consultation and decision by Council.
The County Council is the third largest landowner in Suffolk. I have delivered a new joint venture with Lovell’s to build 3,000 low-energy homes on our land, allocated within the district council’s local plans. This will create much-needed affordable homes and receipts for the County.
I am responsible for the £143m ‘Gull Wing’ bridge in Lowestoft, which will bring significant regeneration to the town. Despite the pandemic, war in Ukraine and inflation more generally we are on budget with the opening scheduled in early 2024.
I was delighted to have secured an additional £100m investment in broadband via project Gigabit for Suffolk. I sit on both regional and national boards as a strong voice for the Eastern Region which has given me the opportunity to engage with Ministers across a range of issues.