I am married to Meena. We have two children, a daughter, Anita and a son, Chirag. I have lived in the Hemmingwell Ward for 9 years.

I was at the Post Office for 25 years covering Royal Mail, Parcel Force, P.O. Counters Ltd; and as a self employed sub postmaster.

I served as a Thrapston Town Councillor for 9 years up until 2002, during which time I held the office of Town Mayor in 1998-99. In May 2003 I was elected to the Hemmingwell Ward.

As a Councillor, I am Vice-Chairman of the Community Committee and a member of Planning; Audit and Performance; and Standards Committees. I have leadership responsibilities for reducing crime and disorder. I am the Council's representative on the LGA Urban Commission; the Wellingborough Homes Board; the Neighbourhood Group and the Safer Group of the Wellingborough Partnership; and substitute representative on Welfare Rights Advice Group Management Committee, Northamptonshire Racial Equality Council, Wellingborough Volunteer Centre Management Committee, and Supporting People Members' Group.

I can be contacted by phone, email or visiting my residence during the day time on week days. I also hold a monthly surgery with my fellow Councillors Malcolm Waters and Graham Lawman.

As well as my Councillor role I am:

• an honorary Chairman of Pravasi Mandal a charitable Asian elderly day centre in Wellingborough;

• a member of the Rating and Valuation Tribunal covering the Counties of Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. As a Magistrate I sit on adult and family courts.

Also I am involved nationally representing the Patel and Gujarati Community, a function I have carried out for many years.

Councillor Anjana Patel

Portfolio Holder for Schools and Children's Development