Mylander - Issue 88

From inside the community Spotlight: Interview with Martin Goss Martin Goss was elected as a Councillor for Mile End over 12 years ago, and has since been fighting key issues in our area, including environment and waste services, recycling and broadband. We spoke to him about his time as Councillor and the future plans for Mile End. How long have you been a Councillor of Mile End, and what has this journey been like? I have been a Councillor for Mile End for 13 years! I was elected in 2008 – we didn’t expect me to win on the first attempt, but I won with a 710 majority. It was astounding, but it proved what hard work can achieve. Growing up, I had Councillors all around me. My dad was a Councillor for Prettygate from 1986 to 1998, so I guess it was only a matter of time before I followed in his footsteps. I moved to Mile End in 2005 to Dickenson Road, which was a new development at the time. It had issues, so rather than complain, Councillor Anne Turrell helped me, Steve Last and Steve Joyce (both active residents in their time) start a residents’ association. This was called the Northern Approaches Action Group (NAAG), and in that time got many new trees planted, dealt with anti-social behaviour, led the consultation on the yellow lines (which are implemented today) and chased developers about outstanding issues. I then joined Myland Community Council in 2007 and became Borough Councillor in 2008. What has been your biggest challenge so far? The biggest challenge has been dealing with development, infrastructure (or lack of) and the school place issues, which are now finally resolving themselves. What has been your biggest achievement so far? There are so many issues, deliverables, and projects I’ve been involved with along with the other great Mile End Councillors - the list is endless - but I am proud of helping to get Colchester’s recycling up from 43% to 56%, which was one of the best increases in the UK. 18