Maria Margaret Cleminson

“I work for my community not just because it is personally rewarding, but also because I believe that together we can change a deeply unjust and unequal society. Living in Abbey for the past 12 years has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I want to join our hard-working team of councillors to continue doing what I can for our local community and environment.”

“I’m well prepared for casework. I volunteer for Citizens Advice, so I’m already familiar with the challenges of benefits, food banks and housing in Cambridge. I’m also already embedded in Abbey community life. On the steering committee of the Riverside Area Residents’ Association, I’m spearheading a biodiversity project at the Cellarer’s Chequer and helping develop a vision for the future of Riverside. Together with a fantastic group of locals, I’m setting up a charity to restore the deconsecrated church of St Andrew the Less and turn it into a space for community, heritage and biodiversity.”

“Abbey is a special place, with great people, that has been labelled the ‘most deprived ward’ in Cambridge for too long. I believe it takes all of us who have the opportunity to make a change – that is why I’m stepping up.”

“Some priorities for Abbey:”

“Housing and Cost of Living - I volunteer for Cambridge Citizens Advice every week. What comes up time after time are housing and cost of living issues. Abbey residents struggle with substandard council homes, rogue landlords, overcrowded HMOs, fuel poverty, food insecurity and mounting debt. As your councillor I will not only work with residents to help solve their individual problems, but also work to create a fairer system.”

“Listening and Acting - I recently spoke at a council meeting as a resident deeply concerned about the direction Cambridge’s development is taking. The evasive and irrelevant answer I was given proved that I was not being taken seriously. I will never let that happen when I am a councillor. I will listen and I will respond honestly and proactively.”

“Community and Green Spaces - About a year ago I began to work to save an abandoned church on the Newmarket Road for community use (see how far we’ve got! www.standrewtheless.org). Abbey needs community spaces so we can get together as neighbours again. I want a vibrant Abbey with places to meet, learn, eat well and relax together. And I want a beautiful and green Abbey with more nature and space to breathe.”