After ten years working in different commercial roles within the private sector, Polly joined Leeds City Council in 2006.  During her time at the council, she has worked across a variety of areas leading projects to deliver transformation as well as working on key infrastructure projects such as the city’s energy from waste plant. She has led the team working on the council’s response to the climate emergency declaration made in 2019, securing £35million of grant funding per year to deliver housing and public sector estate retrofit as well as electric charging infrastructure.  She has oversight of the large city centre district heating network (Leeds PIPES) that has been installed and is already heating nearly 2000 flats and numerous civic buildings, with further expansion planned. In April 2023, Polly became Chief Officer, Climate, Energy & Green Spaces, taking responsibility for 4000 HA of greenspace, several key visitor attractions as well as bereavement services whilst continuing to provide oversight of the city’s climate and air quality agendas.