Rowena Hay became leader of Cheltenham Borough Council a year ago during the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.

She has been in politics since her days at Cheltenham Technical College. She has dedicated her life to Cheltenham, having been a councillor since 2002 and having a combined 52 years as councillors with her husband. She has also been a local magistrate for 35 years! How impressive!

Here, she speaks to Punchline editor Mark Owen about her life in politics.

How did she find stepping up to the role of Leader of Cheltenham Borough Council?

What is the hardest lesson she has learned?

How did she find becoming leader during the pandemic?

How did she come to be in politics? What drew her to the liberal democrats?

Has politics changed in her time? How much does a councillor earn?

How will the new cyber park change Cheltenham?

And finally, what are her top three business tips?