Ferndale Councillor - Sally Prentice

Councillor Sally Prentice

When and why did you first become interested in politics?
When I was at secondary school. The 1980s were a very political time with Mrs Thatcher in number 10, the Labour Party in turmoil and 3 million people out of work. I was also interested in Europe as my Dad worked for JET, the European nuclear fusion programme. He had colleagues from many different European countries and I couldn’t understand why membership of the EEC, as it then was, was such a contentious issue.

What inspired you to become a councillor?
An opportunity presented itself – the Bishop’s Ward by-election in 1993 - and I decided to go for it.

Has it been worth it?
Yes, absolutely. Being able to help individual residents with issues of concern to them and work with local communities on important local issues is very satisfying, particularly when one can make a difference. Every time I pass the IMAX cinema on the bus going over Waterloo Bridge I feel a sense of achievement – as a ward member I supported the planning application which was very controversial at the time.

Pot holes and Rubbish 'grot spots' reports by Councillors Sally Prentice (pictured) and Paul McGlone, on a estate walkabout on Bowlands Park Estate.

What’s your greatest fear and your greatest hope?
My greatest fear is that the major social policy issue of our time – the breakdown of family structures and the rising number of young children and teenagers with social and behavioural problems due to rising incidence of mental illness – will never receive the political attention it demands, with the result that we will continue to put a sticking plaster on the problem. My greatest hope – that we are turning a corner in driving up standards of secondary education in inner London.

What’s the first thing you would do if you ruled the world for a day?
I’d provide a well funded chidren’s centre in every neighbourhood.

What single thing would most improve your area?
More activities for children and young people. I’d like every child and young person to be able to get up on a Saturday morning and be able to choose from a range of different activities – sport, music, drama, cookery – that they could participate in over the weekend.

What fictional character do you identify with, and why?
A difficult question for someone who reads historical books and biographies!

What’s your favourite film?
Notting Hill, Four Weddings and a Funeral…

What does your council do particularly well?
Early years – four out of five of our nursery schools were rated as ‘outstanding’ by OFSTED.

What do you consider your greatest political triumph?
Getting elected to the Fabian Society Executive Committee in 2003.

What was your most embarrassing moment?
Being asked questions by journalists I don’t know the answer to.

What is the biggest problem with local government today?
The degree of central government control – if local authorities raised most of their money locally far more people would vote and take an interest in local government.

How would you solve it?
Transfer power and devolve funding with far fewer national schemes.

Who is your political hero, and why?
Betty Boothroyd, former Labour MP and Speaker of the House of Commons. Her life story, from a Yorkshire mill town to becoming the first woman Speaker, is one of hard work, guts and determination to make it to the top.

When and where are you most happy?
When I have plenty of stimulating fun things to do – it might be going to an art exhibition or cooking a meal for friends. I enjoy relaxing on holiday in Italy, Greece and New York.

What one book would you take with you to a desert island?
Stephen Inwood’s History of London. It’s a very lengthy book so would keep me busy for many hours!

To get in touch with Sally please complete the form below, or read about other councillors: