Councillor Tom Smith’s career ambitions were sparked by a school visit to the council chambers.
“A school trip as a 12-year-old boy was enough to sow the seed for my interest in local politics.
I was at St Francis School in Lincoln at the time and my classmates and I were treated to a visit to the council chambers on Newland to witness a real council meeting in action.
It turned out to be a profound moment for me. Sitting there in the public gallery listening to what was going on, I decided there and then that this was what I wanted to do as an adult.
My schooling in Lincolnshire began at Pollyplatt School on RAF Scampton base after my dad was posted here from Wiltshire. As a younger child I had dreams of a life in the military, but unfortunately, this was not to be.
I was born with Cerebral Palsy which affects my movement and co-ordination. But, while the condition made it impossible to pursue a career in the military, it has not stopped me chasing my political goals.
At the same time as I was studying for my A-levels at Franklin College in Grimsby, I was also campaigning to stand in the district council elections. I was successful with that, winning the seat for the Market Rasen ward.
I’ll always be grateful to the late Cllr Stuart Curtis, who helped me from the start, so I learned very quickly, and I absolutely loved the work I was doing.
It was a bitter pill to swallow when I lost my seat in 2019, but in some ways, I made up for it when I was elected on to the county council in 2021. I have since been re-elected on to the district council and I am now proud to represent residents on both councils.
Serving on five committees within Lincolnshire County Council and two outside bodies keeps me very busy, but I also work for Gainsborough MP Sir Edward Leigh. Although I don’t have a lot of spare time, my work feels like a hobby to me and I love being busy because it means I am helping my constituents.
The armed forces has always been special to me, with my late father serving in the RAF. Outside of council business, I am also a member of the Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee. It brings me so much satisfaction to help and support our force’s families.
Cllr Tom Smith is the Conservative councillor for the North Wolds and lives in Linwood, near Market Rasen. Cllr Smith sits on: Overview and Scrutiny Management Board; Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire; Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee; Pensions Committee; Planning and Regulation Committee