Hello, I am Elisabeth Roberts, Labour councillor for Harlescott ward on Shrewsbury Town Council.

I moved to Shropshire from Somerset in 1994, to help set up Charlies Stores in Brixton Way. I then trained as a dental nurse, then a radiographer and worked in Shrewsbury and Telford hospitals. Now I work in a Shrewsbury secondary school supporting children with emotional and behavioural difficulties, which I love.

Education and child mental health has been at the forefront of my life for the last 14 years, since my own twins’ diagnosis of autism and adhd. They have struggled with the lack of support, so, I set up Jigsaw Community group, where I have fought for other families like mine and organised activities at the Grange Youth Centre.

I believe we need a properly funded education service, which is a place of nurturing as well as learning, and a big investment in mental health services for struggling children and teenagers. Shrewsbury also needs much better public transport. Frequent, reliable buses with affordable fares would mean less traffic, give us cleaner air to breathe and reduce our impact on the climate. But Shropshire’s Conservative-run Council is not spending our money wisely. They spent £51 million in 2018 buying Shrewsbury’s three shopping centres – now worth just £17.5 million according to their own valuation. This year they hired a “highways consultant” for six months to advise them on potholes at a cost of £1000 a day! In contrast the Town Council which is controlled by Labour makes the most of its tiny budget it to improve people’s lives.

I look forward to meeting you!