Chris Brewis

County Councillor for Sutton Elloe

South Holland District Councillor for Sutton Bridge

2009 Local Election result:  68.7% (2161)

(That was the highest vote recorded for any candidate anywhere in Lincolnshire.)

I was born in Bath in Somerset and since then have moved around, living in near Salisbury, Wiltshire, attending university at Durham, and living in Workington and Cardiff before settling in Lincolnshire in 1969.  I worked as a teacher for many years, as a door to door salesman, and am also deeply involved with the community and with Local Government.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and grandchildren, travelling, reading and walking.  I like the challenge of puzzles such as crosswords, Kakuro and maths problems.  I am very interested in languages, being nearly fluent in German and able to speak some French and Finnish.  I am currently learning Hungarian (difficult, so very slowly!).  I am also writing a book about my life and my experiences as a Councillor.  I live music (especially Sibelius and Smetana) and am a member of the Friends of Norfolk Symphony Orchestra.  I am also a member of the Friends of Durham and Norwich Cathedrals.

I am active in my local community and am involved in fund-raising activities, helping to raise thousands of pounds per annum through charity bingos in the community.  I also deliver a newsletter door to door in Long Sutton, Little Sutton and Sutton Bridge two or thee  or three times a year.  I also contact young people near their eighteenth birthdays, and write to newcomers to the area.

I am now in my second term as an Independent County Councillor on Lincolnshire County Council.  I was exposed to local politics from a young age as my Dad was a Parish Councillor.  I have been a South Holland District Councillor for 35 years, and also a Parish Councillor.  

I acted as an election advisor to the Independents and the Boston By-Pass Independent Party.  

I first became a Councillor after standing as a candidate in response to a £5 bet!  I wanted to be a Councillor to help resolve local issues.

During the near future I hope to see the new Community Centre ‘up and running’ in Sutton Bridge.  I want to see it contain the library in Sutton Bridge staffed by volunteers.  I also want to be involved in the Coastal Strategy, ensuring that development comes to the East Coast, but maintaining proper protection from coastal flooding. I would also like to help to ensure Lincolnshire's food security. 

I think we are fortunate to have such a vibrant small market town as Long Sutton - but it needs people to visit and use the town and businesses.  I see it as my task to see that as many people as possible come down to our ‘far south eastern corner’ of Lincolnshire, and take away the message that we have good places to visit, enjoy and live in.

My key skills as a Councillor are my ability to talk and listen to people regardless of their political persuasion, bringing people together and looking at things objectively. I would like to see constructive engagement rather than opposition.  I believe a cross party consensus is necessary in order to benefit Lincolnshire. 

I am proud to represent Little Sutton, Long Sutton, Sutton Bridge, Sutton Crosses and Wingland on Lincolnshire County Council, and am very pleased to represent the county, especially on public transport matters.

Chris Brewis

County Councillor for Sutton Elloe

South Holland District Councillor for Sutton Bridge

NEWS 2012

Worked hard in year to:

1) Keep Saturday extra recycling collections – successful!

2) Keep long  Sutton Registry Office – successful!

3) Get volunteer staffed community library in in Sutton Bridge – successful!

4) See police room at Curlew Centre at Sutton Bridge – now being used!

5) With Michael Booth keep meetings of local groups, the multi-agency group - meeting regularly – successful!

6) Use budgets to help local groups but only successful with huge help from residents and volunteers.