In the run up to the General, Borough and Town Council elections on May 7th we will be publishing brief interviews with each of the candidates that respond to our request.
To read the interviews with other candidates click on the tags at the bottom of the article. For example, pieces on the other candidates for the Wilmslow West & Chorley Ward will all be tagged 'Wilmslow West & Chorley Ward' and 'Borough Elections'. Candidates representing the same party or group will also be connected via the tags.
Ellie Brooks, who currently sits on Wilmslow Town Council is a Conservative candidate for the Wilmslow West & Chorley Ward for Cheshire East Borough Council.
Ellie has lived in Wilmslow for 29 years with her husband, John. They have one daughter, Cara, currently working for Medicines Sans Frontieres, in South Sudan. Ellie worked all her professional life in the airline industry, the last 10 years with the Dutch airline KLM cityhopper in Training and Management, which she describes as a very rewarding career providing experiences which have been invaluable during her time with Wilmslow Town Council.
Speaking about why she decided to stand as a candidate for Cheshire East Council, Ellie told me "Having served on Wilmslow Town Council for the Lacey Green Ward since its inception in 2011 I have gained a great deal of experience understanding issues and challenges facing Wilmslow as our world changes.
"I have served on Finance, Devolved Powers and played a key role on our Strategic Planning Panel dealing with housing issues. I have championed youth issues and helped put our town on the map in the North West in Bloom - as the Chair for 2014-15. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a local councillor and feel it would be a natural progression to stand as a Borough Councillor for Cheshire East."
When asked about the important issues facing Wilmslow, Ellie said "Gary (Barton) and I have been canvassing for some months and we have noted the issues raised on the doorstep. Parking, road safety and the need to find sensible solutions. People want to see the improvements to the town centre continue and more support for local traders. Greenbelt is very important and I will always champion this. Road and pavement improvements, better cleaning - these are just some of the issues I believe Wilmslow residents want to see more action on."
She continued "I will be campaigning for lower charges at underused car parks, and the extension of the Broadway Meadow car park, and I will work with CEC for improve pavements and continuing road improvements. I will also work with residents, the town council and with Gary to preserve the character of Wilmslow. I will always look for ways to improve what we already have and listen to concerns of residents and work with them. Perhaps most importantly, I want to continue the work of groups like the SK9 club to find more ways to help young people."
When asked why Wilmslow residents should vote for her, Ellie said "I feel I have achieved a great deal on WTC and hope my reputation for fairness and hard work would sit well with residents of Wilmslow West and Chorley. Wilmslow's success at the 'In Bloom' awards is something I am very proud of. I would like to become a strong voice for residents on Cheshire East Council if elected."
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Hopefully, if elected, you will not be following the other Wilmslow CEC Cllrs who voted, against the expressed-wishes of the electorate, to remove Green Belt protection from areas of Wilmslow and Handforth.
Can you tell us what your proposal is for what is left of Broadway "Meadow" when you refer to extending the car park, i.e. extending upwards by multi-decking, or removing more of the green space?