Cllr. Ridgers is the Councillor for Painters Ash Ward at Gravesham Borough Council and formerly served as County Councillor for Gravesend East. He retired from KCC in 2025 serving his last year as Vice Chairman of Kent County Council.
I have lived in this area for most of my life. I attended a local school and like a lot of people locally I worked in the cement industry with Blue Circle. I am an experienced local Councillor and I'm passionate about local history and Gravesham's heritage. I'm also a grandad with three granddaughters and enjoy spending time with then.
I have been a member of the Istead Rise active retirement association for a number of years.
I firmly believe that local politics is all about our different communities working together and my job is to listen to what people are saying. We are clearly hearing the message about no inappropriate development on the green belt but we recognise the need to provide affordable homes for our children and retirement homes for our elderly residents to enable them to stay in the area they called home.
I believe by working together we can ensure that Istead Rise continues to be a clean, safe and great place to live.
