As a keen environmentalist, Matthew likes to take a hands-on approach to improving the local environment. His initiatives have included clean-ups at water courses at Brent Park in Hendon, Scratchwood Open Space in Mill Hill and the Silk Stream through Rushgrove Park in Colindale and in Burnt Oak.

Matthew is now seeking to improve the Leg of Mutton pond at Moat Mount Open Space in Mill Hill. Working alongside the Mill Hill Neighbourhood Forum and local residents, the plan is to dredge the water to allow tree stumps and rubbish to be comprehensively cleared from the pond. There are some trees which need pruning or even cutting down in some cases and these will need to be assessed by a qualified arboriculturist. The pond also has a small jetty (pictured) whose wood has rotted over time and it would be sensible to replace this.

Matthew said: "Moat Mount is a fantastic part of Mill Hill and the pond is a wonderful asset which attracts a wide variety of wildlife. Improvements to this site would make it a very special place in the Hendon constituency's green spaces. By working together we can apply to access monies through sources such as the National Lottery Fund. I have long worked on our green spaces, since my time on Barnet Council when I improved our parks so they achieved Green Flag status."