On Monday I attended a briefing meeting with officers in preparation for this week’s Corporate Parenting Panel.
On Monday evening I attended the Annual Meeting of LLTC – I was delighted to be confirmed as Deputy Leader of the Council, with Cllr Steve Jones being the Leader. Cllr David Bowater was appointed Mayor, and Cllr Farzana Kharawala as Deputy Mayor.
I will be Chair of the Cultural and Economic Committee for the year ahead, covering areas such as TACTIC and the market, and community events.
On Tuesday I had the honour to attend a Summer Garden Party at Buckingham Palace with my husband. HM The Queen and HRH Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were present at the garden party. It was a a real privilege to be invited to the event, and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
Buckingham Palace on a beautiful sunny afternoon
On Wednesday it was back to reality, with the LLTC Planning Committee in the evening. We looked at a range of applications, and undertook some training – including looking at the local plan.
On Thursday morning I attended the LLTC Market Committee.
And on Friday evening I attended the Bedfordshire Police Priority Setting meeting. The key areas identified are anti-social behaviour and initiatives to help businesses manage shoplifting.
This coming week it is half-term, so there are fewer meetings. I will be Chairing the Corporate Parenting Panel on Thursday.
My name is Amanda Dodwell, and I have been a Conservative Councillor for Brooklands Ward (Leighton Linslade Town Council) and Leighton Buzzard South (Central Bedfordshire Council) since 2011.
Previously, I was a Councillor in Wantage, Oxfordshire, on Wantage Town Council and The Vale of White Horse District Council.
Originally from Buckinghamshire, I attended Waddesdon C of E Secondary School and Aylesbury High School, and studied Economics at Leeds Trinity University. I have lived in Leighton Buzzard for over 13 years, with my husband Adam and son Jack.
I had the privilege to be Mayor of Leighton Linslade in 2013/14, and Leader of the Town Council in 2015/16.
Since 2012 I have been Deputy Executive Member for Children, Families and Education at Central Bedfordshire Council, with a particular interest in looked after children (LAC). I am a member of the Fostering and Adoption Panels, and since July 2018 I have been Chair of the Corporate Parenting Panel, overseeing services for children in care.
As the parent of a child with additional needs (Jack was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 3), I am passionate about services for children and young people, and those with additional needs and mental health problems.
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Amanda Dodwell 