Cllr Smith

My name is Julie Smith and I have been a Brading Town Councillor for 10 and a half years. I had the honour of becoming a Town Councillor in May 1995 when my youngest child was only 4 days old. I have 4 children, from 10 years to 24 years old. I have worked as a pre-school assistant teacher within Brading Primary School, and have pursued Early Childhood Studies to H.N.D level. I was born in Ventnor and my Mother has traced my Father’s family tree back to 1540 and in 1860, some of my ancestors lived in Brading! I am very proud of being an Islander.

When I first moved to Brading, in 1987, I frequently contacted our I. W. M.P with many issues that I was concerned about and he eventually told me that he would nominate me as a Town Councillor so that I could represent myself!

Before becoming a Town Councillor, I did think that it would not be possible for an ordinary person to actually become a Town Councillor, but of course it is. I thought that you would have to be someone important to begin with; in fact all you need is determination and interest to improve the community you live in, and a desire to be a part of the decision making process. I have had the privilege of serving as the Mayor of Brading, during the years 1996 – 1997 and 1997 – 1998; I feel that this proves that anyone, given the opportunity can make a difference. Becoming a Town Councillor gives you the opportunity to; make your community (and the Isle of Wight) a better place to live in, to ensure that the people who live in it are able to give their ideas, opinions and feelings, and to contribute to the decisions that are made about the area that we live in. I strongly believe that we, as Town Councillors, are elected by the people, to represent the people, and that everyone should be fully consulted about everything that will affect them and the community and surrounding areas in which they live in. At our Town Council meetings, we a have half an hour opportunity to ask questions, put forward opinions, ideas etc. before the Town Council meeting begins at 7.30pm.

We are very fortunate in Brading to have the Brading Centre in West Street; this building houses the office of the Town Clerk and Assistant Town Clerk of Brading Town Council. A few other Island Town and Parish Councils have offices, but no other area, except Brading, provides a centre for the use of the community as well as a Town Council office. The Brading Centre is used for many activities, educational courses, children’s homework clubs, weekly surgeries from the I.W Council and Inland Revenue, meetings etc. for the benefit of all ages. The Centre allows the people of Brading to speak with the Clerk and Assistant, Town Councillors and the Isle of Wight Councillor for Brading and St Helens; on a daily basis, as well as being able participate in what the community centre provides.