Great Sankey Parish Council’s current Chairman Peter Watson was elected onto the Parish Council five and half years ago, he joined the Labour Party after leaving the police service as he wanted to show ongoing support for public services.
Peter and his wife have lived in Great Sankey for the past 44 years and bought their house because his wife Sue, was a nurse at Whiston Hospital and there was a bus which ran directly to Liverpool past the hospital.
Peter said: “I must like living here as I’ve only ever lived in one house. I think like most people the area is ideally located for access to Liverpool and Manchester for escaping to areas of natural beauty, such as North Wales and the Peak District. The local amenities are well provided for and by and large it’s a peaceful place to live”
Before his role of Chairman, Peter completed a total of 39 years with Merseyside Police. This was thirty years as a Police Officer and nine years as police staff.
“There were two main parts to my police career, I completed 14 years as a Detective in various departments and for my last twelve years I was the local Branch Secretary for the Police Federation. Both roles enabled me to gain transferable skills which I feel have been useful in dealing with other aspects of life in general” said Peter.
Peter was elected as Chairman in 2015 and he combines this role with being a Volunteer Director of a National Police Credit Union. This is the second largest employee credit union within the UK, with membership extended to the armed and prison services. Together with his fellow Directors, Peter is responsible for the oversight of the business strategy for the organisation.
Peter enjoys meeting and working with other people to improve our local community, but the role of Chairman can be challenging.
“It is a challenge to explain that the Parish Council have limited authority and often sympathise with our resident’s problems but is unable to take action to deal with them. In these circumstances we make every effort to bring the issue to the attention of the appropriate bodies and seek solutions. The main priorities for the Parish Council are to effectively manage our existing resources and where ever possible improve our services. We are aware as a Council of the rapid development, within the area, in business and housing which is currently taking place, whilst welcome, brings pressures in integrating these new residents into the community said Peter.
In his spare time, Peter is a big fan of Bruce Springsteen and Americana artists. Another of his great passions is following Everton football club, he and his wife are both season ticket holders
