About me: Councillor Rupert Simmons

I was elected councillor for Heathfield in 2001, having stood on Heathfield and Waldron Parish Council (1995) and Wealden District Council (1999). I moved here in 1955.

To prevent Heathfield from becoming just another dormitory town, we need more investment to provide careers in quality jobs in the local community. We need to improve the infrastructure with better health facilities, sewerage system and traffic management. We also need a greater police presence.

But how did I get here?

I publish an investment magazine, having been on the management executive board of ‘The Observer’. I have also worked as a surveyor and in the music business in the US and Vienna, Austria. For a while, I was a lobbyist at the EU Parliament in Brussels.

I got into local politics because I was disappointed by the lack of initiative by local authorities in attracting a major employer to Heathfield. When I discovered that housing levels in Wealden are set by the County Council’s structure plan, I decided to campaign for a council seat.

My community

I am very proud of my community. It has been a privilege to be the Chair of the Music Service Management Committee for the last four years – the standard of musicianship among East Sussex students is remarkable.

The best thing about being a councillor is the feeling you get when you have represented a cause and succeeded. I campaigned successfully to reopen Heathfield police station and as cabinet member for education, I saw how measures we introduced led to dramatic improvements in pupils’ performances.

My home life

I’m single and have 10 godchildren.

Technology means I can run my publishing company from home, largely through electronic transmission of instructions despatched in the early hours of the morning. My staff have long since forgotten what I look like.

My spare time

I am chairman of the Heathfield Partnership Trust Co. Ltd. I like music, especially classical, modern jazz and early American blues.

My other interests include sports, US politics and cooking for my friends – never trust a thin chef.

Find out about my politics and how I represent the people of Heathfield