I am local, I was brought up in St Leonards and went to Blacklaw, Mount Cameron and Calderglen schools. I and live in Calderwood. As well as being a mum, Iwork as a project development officer in the Clyde Valley, and have been a community councillor for Calderwood and Nerston.
Over the years she I have campaigned on many issues including: planning, housing, school build quality, and the closure of Calderwood Library. I have also helped to establish several community groups that benefit toddlers, older people, fair trade and the environment.
I am proud of East Kilbride and wants to help bring back its pride and community. I have been door to door to learn your priorities and they are:
- More investment in local services
- More attention should be paid to the views of residents and communities
- Rent controls and more social housing
- Maintainin existing roads before expanding trunk roads
- Improved greenspaces - like Calderglen
Kirsten has been working in all three areas in the ward, St Leonards, Calderwood and Nerston.
Working for St Leonards
- Supported local clubs wishing to improve leisure facilities;
- Helped establish the EK Develpment Trust Community Growing Site at Calderglen;
- Campaigned fr better school buildings.
Kirsten will:
- Help establish Friends of Calderglen to protect this natural and cultural asset;
- Oppose building a dual carriageway at Stratheven Road;
- Fight to keep down class sizes in schools and replace teachers and support staff lost to cuts.
Improving Calderwood
Within Calderwood Kirsten has:
- Campaigned with the commuity to try and save Calderwood Library and Hunter House Museum;
- Organised local clean-ups and planted a community orchard;
- Campaigned to cut air pollution around the Whirlies and Calderwood shops.
Kirsten will:
- Push for strong action to reduce local air pollution;
- Ensure community buildings are well maintained and easy to use by the local community;
- Campaign for more social housing and better support to bring empty homes back into use
Standing up for Nerston
Kirsten has:
- Campaigned to protect the greenbelt and focus development on brownfield sites;
- Served as a community councillor for Nerston;
- Sought to have existing roads fixed instead of dualling Stewaerfield Way and the Nerston flyover.
Kirsten will:
- Support the new Nerston Residents Association;
- Push for an action plan for high speed broadband to be introduced within a year of the election
- Make our streets safer for everyone to use, whether walking or cycling