Councillor Marje Paling

I was first elected in 2011 to represent St Marys Ward, Arnold and following boundary changes was elected to serve Coppice Ward in 2015. I am a portfolio holder for Environment Services (Operations) and sit on the Appointments & Conditions of Service, Environment and Licensing committees and I am an appointed representative on Arnold Local Area Forum and Arnold Parochial Charities.

I was a Governor at Derrymount School and Robert Mellors Primary School for many years.

My first career was in teaching, but I moved to the voluntary sector when my children were young.  For many years, I worked in Early Years, initially as a practitioner, then as a development worker and eventually a senior manager.  I concluded my ‘working’ life as a training consultant on a part-time basis which gave me more time for political engagement.

My interests outside politics include reading, gardening, folk music and dance, swimming and trying to find time to utilise my old VW campervan.