Ian Paul Gibson

Statement to voters

Statement for WSCC Elections 2026 This election is for a Councillor to serve for the last two years of the County Council before it is replaced by a Unitary Authority in 2028. There will be separate elections for that council next year. Ensuring that there is a smooth transition into the new council, with no interruption to our local services, will be challenging. As your current County Councillor, I am asking for your vote on the 7th May so that I can complete this important work. If re-elected, I will continue to work for: • Proper repairs to potholes and resurfacing as an alternative to patching. • Better enforcement to stop fly-tipping, anti-social parking and speeding on rural rat runs. • Reduced congestion at the Felbridge junction and along the A22. • Investment in the town centre and more effective use of the financial contributions from developers to provide new community buildings and sports facilities. • The relocation of Imberhorne Middle School to Imberhorne Lane • Timely completion of Special Educational Needs assessments and delivery of the support recommended • A strategic approach to new housing that respects our Neighbourhood Plans, delivers the necessary new infrastructure and protects our countryside and heritage buildings. As an Independent Councillor I don’t have to follow a party line, I am free to decide every issue on its merits and to work with other parties to implement the policies and services which are in your best interests. I grew up in Scarborough and came South to read Physics at the University of Kent. I studied molecular liquids for my PhD using the experimental reactors at Harwell and the Institute Laue Langevin in Grenoble. After completing my thesis I joined the MOD working on the development of new land and air systems at Fort Halstead and Farnborough. My work included the development of combat simulations to support procurement decisions. I became a Fellow of the Institute of Physics in 1999 and transferred to the DTI to lead a review of the Research Councils and Project Manage the successful £250M Diamond Synchrontron bid to Treasury. I attended the Royal College of Defence Studies in 2003 and my final appointment was as Director for Space Technology and Industrial Policy in the forerunner of the UK Space Agency. I initially became involved in local government to help prepare the Crawley Down Neighbourhood Plan. I was elected to Mid Sussex District Council in 2019 and re-elected in 2023. I lead the Council's Independent Group and have been the Cabinet portfolio holder for Sustainable Economy and Housing in a joint Lib Dem/Independent administration for the past 3 years. I was also elected to West Sussex County Council in 2021 as an Independent for East Grinstead and Crawley Down. At WSCC, I sit on the Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee and the Planning Committee. I am also a member of East Grinstead Town Council so I am the elected representative for my residents across all three tiers of local government. This means that my residents can bring any problem with local government to me. The problems that my residents seek my help for most are the lack of doctors appointments, the quality of social housing, delays in the processing of EHCPs, and insufficient school places. I have seen the anxiety that these problems create and improving these services is a priority for me.

Election history

Westminster general elections