Buckinghamshire Council – Denham, Fulmer and Gerrards Cross East Ward

Santokh S Chhokar BSc (Hons), Solicitor (Hons), FRSA

I am married with three children and we have lived in Gerrards Cross East for the past 18 years. I am the Senior Partner in a medium-sized solicitors’ practice, established in 1994 with offices in Southall, Slough and Central London. I studied at Beaconsfield Primary School and Southall Grammar School followed by University of London and a post graduate thesis in sociology at Warwick University and University of Aston. I attended the College of Law and obtained the CPE Postgraduate Diploma in Law and completed the Law Society Finals with honours.

My links with Denham, Fulmer and Gerrards Cross East :

I have lived here since 2000 and was elected to South Bucks District Council to represent Denham South West & Gerrards Cross East Ward in 2007, when I defeated the Independent Councillor. During this period I regularly interacted with and attended Meetings of both Gerrards Cross Parish Council and Denham Parish Council. From 2011, due to reorganisation, Denham South West was linked with Denham and I became one of three District Councillors representing Gerrards Cross. I have family and friends in Denham, Gerrards Cross and Fulmer.

My Party and BCCA Experience :

I have been a Conservative Party member since 1986, and active with BCCA since 2001. Within GX Branch I served as PRO (press and In Touch), secretary and Chairman. Within BCCA I have served as a Member of Executive Council between 2005-17, as Deputy Chairman of BCCA during 2014-16 and Chairman during 2017-19..

My Campaigning and Political Activity : 

I have helped in Bucks County Council Election campaigns in 2009 and 2013 in Gerrards Cross, Beaconsfield and Denham. In addition, In addition, I have helped organise campaigns for Conservative candidates in Parish, District, Parliamentary, AV and Euro elections. I also campaigned in London Mayoralty, London Council, Euro and Parliamentary elections and By Elections.

My Previous Track Record as a Conservative Councillor :

Unusually for a Parish Council, I had to fight a contested election to be elected to Gerrards Cross Parish Council, where I served between 2005-2007. I have been elected as a District Councillor in 2007, 2011 and 2015. I have served as Vice Chairman of SBDC for 2 years, as Chairman for 2 years and as Vice Chairman of the SBDC Planning Committee for a year. I have also served as Secretary and Deputy Chairman of SBDC Conservative Group. As a solicitor I possess good listening and advocacy skills which I find invaluable in understanding and representing local residents’ issues with local authority departments.

What I shall achieve as your Unitary Councillor :

I shall represent the interests of the residents of Buckinghamshire - particularly Denham, Fulmer and Gerrards Cross East - to ensure that local government works for local residents. To do this I shall work with Denham Parish Council, Fulmer Parish Council and GX Town Council. I shall help formulate, implement and monitor Buckinghamshire Council policies to deliver efficient and cost effective services. I shall robustly voice and defend the interests of local authorities in dialogues with central government. I shall vigorously defend the Green Belt and work to ensure that developments such as the Local Plan fully take into account the interests and concerns of local residents.