Maria Gatland has lived and worked in South Croydon for more than 30 years. During that time she helped run the family business and cared for her husband during his long illness. Maria was elected to Croydon Council in 2002. Since then she held the post of Shadow Cabinet Member for Education and then Cabinet Member for Childrens Services in 2006 kick-starting the improvements in education for young people in Croydon.She chaired Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Sub Committee from 2009/2010. Quality of care for patients in hospital is a passionate interest.
Following her re-election in 2010 she was appointed Chair of Licensing Committee one of four major Council committees. In 2014 she was appointed to her current position as Shadow Cabinet Member for Children Families and Learning. In 2002 she was one of the founding members of the Friends of Croham Hurst Woods and chairs its committee and was delighted FCHWs won the Queens Award for Voluntary Service in 2014. The protection and care of Croydon’s green spaces is of huge importance to her. She sat on the Planning Committee for many years.
Animal welfare is a passion and she currently shares her home with two lovely rescued animals a dog and a cat. Maria has worked very hard to support and help local people and was so grateful for the tremendous support and kindness of the local community during a very difficult time, in December 2008, when details of her past of almost 40 years ago became known.
She was delighted to be re-selected to stand again as a candidate for the Local Elections in May 2018. She enjoys reading, theatre, walking, volunteering, yoga and pilates and relaxing with friends.
