Meet Peterborough’s new city councillors: Green Party’s Alex Bowerbanks

With many familiar faces – including some well-known ‘big beasts’ – heading out of the exit, a whole new cohort of relatively unknown faces are set to seize their chance to make an impression at Sand Martin House.

One of those who will soon be attending his first council meeting is Alex Bowerbanks, who triumphed in Orton Waterville ward for the Green Party on May 7.

A born-and-bred Peterborian, Alex has lived in the city all his life.

“I went to Wistow Under 5’s, Orton Wistow Primary School, and Bushfield Community College as it transformed into Ormiston Bushfield Academy,” he recalled.

The only time the 30-year-old hasn’t lived in Peterborough is when he was at university – where he achieved a Master’s degree in Philosophy – and when he studied overseas in Canada.

Like many young politicians, being a conduit for positive change was Alex’s primary motivation for entering politics.

“I want to help people and thought politics would be the best place to do that,” he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

“Good politics starts locally, on the ground, in the real world, speaking to real local people and working together to make life better for everyone.”

While Alex always knew he wanted to help people by getting involved with politics, he had little idea which party would reflect his outlook most when he was first starting out.

“I… was looking at each party to see which I agreed with the most when councillors Nicola Day and Ed Murphy knocked on my door during the local elections a few years ago.

“I mentioned I was interested in politics and my background and started volunteering with them the next day.”

Alex soon became increasingly involved in local politics. Before long, he was asked by the Greens if he would be interested in running for local council.

“Thanks to a lot of hard work, the fantastic support from our local members and volunteers, and gracious vote of confidence from the amazing residents of our ward here in Orton Waterville – to whom I am eternally grateful – I was then elected.”

Councillor Bowerbanks has identified three main areas of policy to prioritise in Orton Waterville: keeping the area clean and tidy; increasing local resilience, and achieving value for taxpayer money.

“We live in a nice area but there is always more that can be done,” he explained.

“Litter and fly-tipping continue to be a problem [and] trees and hedges need to be cut back regularly to maintain the balance between good for… the environment without being a danger or problematic to the public.” Alex believes the council’s recent decision to bring Aragon services back in-house should help in this respect.

“Increasing local resilience is important, especially considering global politics,” he said, moving on to the second of his points. “That is why we need to make sure net zero targets are achieved, that there is funding towards local sustainability for vital services [like] council housing, food, water, and green energy. The additional incomes would also potentially, ideally, allow the city council to move away from a Council Tax funded model and in the future reduce this regressive tax policy.

“Third and finally, achieving value for taxpayer money. Children’s Homes, Adult Social Care services, and transport are all areas we need to start moving away from third parties that charge the council and instead bring these vital services inhouse. The aim is to then reduce costs by increasing efficiencies and achieving greater value for taxpayer money.”

So what does Alex like to do to relax when he’s not aspiring to help the good people of Orton Waterville?

“Most of my spare time is either spent reading, in preparation to continue my education towards achieving a doctorate in Philosophy, or volunteering in the local community,” he shared.

“Outside of that I like to write and hang out with friends and family.”

However, politics and the nature of community service run so deep within Alex that, even when he’s isn’t ‘working’ he actually kind of is:

“I am on the Orton Waterville Parish Council, I am involved with local groups such as the Showground Plans Under Residents Review (SPURR) and the West Ortons Residents Association (WORA), as well as regularly litter picking with the Peterborough Litter Wombles – who could always do with more volunteers!”

This is one in a series of articles which aims to put the spotlight on new councillors from all of Peterborough’s political parties.