Cllr Immy Blackburn-Horgan
I have lived in Queen Edith’s Ward since 2018 and feel passionately about my home area, setting up a Residents Association to support the community whilst establishing a new Neighbourhood Watch to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, fly tipping/littering and the illegal and parking stress on our streets.
I have been elected twice since 2023, firstly from my work above as a community champion, then as someone who demonstrated I was willing to stand up for Queen Edith’s Ward as a whole, at both strategic and operational levels.
I am a Biomedical Scientist thanks to an NHS apprenticeship which allowed me to work and study towards a Degree, something that otherwise would have been out of my reach financially. I now since qualifying continue to work for the NHS in the genetics laboratory at Addenbrookes part of Cambridge University Hospital Trust.
From Ward to Westminster Queen Edith’s is well covered, as I work directly with my City and County Cllrs Daniel Lee and Karen Young through to our South Cambs MP Pippa Heylings to represent the views and needs of residents.
From Pippa Heylings MP calling for a Westminster round table on the water scarcity crisis, to my role scrutinising how this fits with the Ward sitting next to the biggest Biomedical Development site nationally. With employment on site growing much faster than the rest of the UK, it needs to be balanced with any potential unintended negative over spill issues.
Strategically I cover
Scrutinising national and local decision impacting on the Ward, developing plus reviewing council policy, including reviewing other Council/Councillors/organisations decisions. Contributing actively to the formation and scrutiny of the Council’s policies, budgets, strategies and services. Together with Council, community and organisations develop a shared understanding of local issues. Ensuring that Queen Edith’s communities have the information they need to make the most of all the opportunities available to them.
Strategically a sample of what I am working on includes the CBC site private company developments, the research into and possibilities of desalination, how CBC Ltd. are funded and their function, CUH hospital/research org dev, housing developments, Building Bridges housing review, Mapping land City/County/Unadopted/Private, where and why housing dev is proposed, COP 30 integration of our young people’s work, Biodiversity Grow Your Community, skills and training for our young people via a Queen Edith’s Training and Skills Scheme.
Operational – at a local level
My role is to act as an advocate for the best interests of my Ward, lobbying on local concerns/issues that are important to Queen Edith’s residents. Attempting to encourage partner organisations to work to a common purpose and outcomes for those that reside here. Often working to resolve potential conflict, signposting and supporting communities to develop their own solutions to problems in their area, where appropriate. There is always a balancing act with competing demands for resources when making decisions in the best interests of the whole Ward.
To be able to represent the views of residents, I am required to undertake case work, ensure services are delivered effectively in the Ward, advising residents of the Council services available. To signpost them, whilst supporting residents to engage themselves and participate in local government. Going on to encourage residents to respond to enquiries they make about the decisions affecting them, so they understand the opportunities available to them and their rights, assisting understanding of the reasons why decisions are made that impact on them.
As well as my Cllr duties and being Spokes on Licensing, I lobby for practical resources like a toilet and private hire vehicle parking at Addenbrooke’s, alongside this I volunteer within the Ward and beyond in various capacities. You may have seen me at the Community café, Food Hub, Nightingale Community Garden, Queen Edith’s Community Forum/its Skip Day. I am particularly passionate about vulnerable and young people being giving a chance, so I vol as a Police Cadet Leader with Under 18's and support our Neighbourhood Watch.
Get in touch if I can be of assistance or if perhaps you would like to know more about being a Councillor.
Go raibh maith agat as an léamh, Cllr Immy Blackburn-Horgan