Meet Your Councillor

Name:  Luke Wakeling

Ward you represent:  Weymouth East – South of the Harbour, East of the Rodwell Trail

Any committee roles?  Deputy Leader of the Council, Vice-Chair of F&G

Tell us a little bit about yourself:  I’m an ex-publican, now developing mobile apps for highway maintenance.  I moved to Weymouth in 2012, for a job for the Olympics Games, and loved the town so I stayed!  In my years in pubs, I’ve experienced many different towns and cities, which have similar issues to Weymouth, and I’ve seen a wide variety of solutions to address these issues – some more successful than others!  The skills I bring to the council include general business management, and in particular hospitality and event management, highways and technology.

What motivated you to become a councillor?  Frustration at the lack of engagement/transparency by the former WPBC.  If you aren’t happy with a situation, I believe you have to be prepared to put yourself forward, to improve it.

Do you have any advice for anyone thinking about becoming a councillor?  It’s an interesting and varied role, you have to think outside-the-box, and be prepared to cooperate and compromise both with other elected officials and partners.   What’s most frustrating are, things you can’t fix as a councillor, and when residents don’t understand that you can’t fix everything!

How can people contact you if they have an issue to raise? Email cllrlukewakeling@weymouthtowncouncil.gov.uk, Facebook fb.me/cllrwakeling or Phone 07834278433