Melanie was elected to Suffolk County Council in 2017 with Craig Rivett to represent Pakefield and Carlton Colville. Working together to establish the needs of the area, they immediately set up meetings to solve Carlton Colville School parking by providing a long sought-after 49 space car park. Mel was able to gain Rights of Way funding to repair the pathways in Arbor Lane and Fairhead Loke.
Finding groups such as the Scouts, Community Group Projects, Disability Groups and Churches, Choirs and Theatres needed finance to carry out vital projects, Mel awarded grants from her Locality Budget to help.
Melanie represents Suffolk as a Member of the Broads Authority, and is their Chairman of Planning Committee and Heritage Assets Review Group, through which they protect heritage buildings in the National Park.
The Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (EIFCA) seeks to balance conservation of coastal waters and historic fishing operations from the Humber to the Thames, and Mel’s Suffolk appointment gives her the opportunity to support this vital work.
Melanie and Craig have ordered a vital new pavement from Seven Acres to Pakefield High School to provide a safe route to and from Pakefield, a controlled crossing on Beccles Road to Carlton Marshes, and essential upgrades to the Bloodmoor roundabout to relieve traffic congestion