Including everyone is focus of two Vale champions

Two Vale champions are working to make sure everyone is included and represented in the district.

Councillor Lucy Edwards is the champion for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion.

Among other things, her role sees her promote the council’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and make sure we are listening to all residents.

The strategy aims to ensure the council is doing everything it can to be inclusive to all ethnic minorities and other diverse and hard-to-reach communities in its staff recruitment, representation, and service provision.

Cllr Edwards said: “Everybody has a right to be included and I’m proud that I can champion the cause for those who feel marginalised and excluded so that they have the same opportunities and access as everyone else.”

Meanwhile, Councillor Mark Coleman is championing the district’s military and veterans. Cllr Coleman commissioned in the RAF in 1983 and qualified as a fighter controller. He was fortunate enough to hold several command appointments, including station commander of RAF Scampton, home of the famous World War 2 Dambusters, and of RAF Boulmer, where he commanded the United Kingdom’s air surveillance and control system.  Mark deployed on operational tours in the Falkland Islands, Iraq, and Afghanistan.  His final tour in the Service was as the United Kingdom’s liaison officer to US European Command in Stuttgart, Germany, after which he retired in April 2020.

Cllr Coleman said: “The district has a long military history and a number of military bases, and I will make sure those serving or having served like myself, along with their families, get their voices heard.”

Cllrs Edwards and Coleman are the latest Vale champions highlighted.

You can find out more about our cost of living and food and farming champions, and our active travel and nature recovery champions.