Peter has lived in the Constituency, in Severn Beach, since 1987, having moved to the Bristol area in 1974. He has a son George and a daughter Rowena.

As a qualified teacher, Peter taught at secondary level in Bristol schools since moving to the Bristol area in 1974. After leaving teaching he set up an independent Property business, and later also set up a small building company.

Peter was elected to represent Pilning & Severn Beach to South Gloucestershire Council at the inception of the Council. He has served on a number of different committees, but has a particular interest in Planning & Transportation and is Chair of the Development Control Committee. He is also a member of the Severn Vale Area Forum and the European and International Forum. As the councillor for part of South Gloucestershire that abuts the River Severn, Peter represents the Council in dealing with estuary matters, flood defence, tidal power, etc.. He helped to establish, and is Chair of, the Severn Estuary Partnership.

Locally to Pilning & Severn Beach, Peter founded the Pilning & Severn Beach Local History Group which has produced a book and a video on the history of the area, he also set up the Severn Beach Regeneration Group which works to improve the centre of the village. As an active walker, Peter leads a monthly walk to ensure that the country paths around the villages remain open and accessible. He was instrumental in the proposals to create a Local Nature Reserve, which is now being developed to a network of wildlife places within and around the development areas of Severnside. Peter is a strong supporter of the local primary schools, a Governor at Severn Beach School when his two children were pupils there, he is now a governor at St Peter's. He has consistently argued for improved facilities for the schools, and was the lone voice arguing for a new school for Pilning, eventually achieving the agreement of the Council. The new St Peter's School buildings to be opened October 2010, will replace the deteriorating premises at Pilning and Northwick, and at the same time improvements are being made at Severn Beach School.

A founder member of the Liberal Democrats, Peter is determined that he represents all residents of his ward, which includes Northwick, New Passage, Redwick and Marsh Common as well as Pilning and Severn Beach. Peter does not hold formal surgeries as he is available at any mutually agreeable time for residents, and any messages left whilst he is out will normally be responded to within a day or two.