In the run up to the General, Borough and Town/Parish 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 Handforth South Ward will all be tagged 'Handforth South Ward' and 'Town Council Election'. Candidates representing the same party or group will also be connected via the tags.
Brian Tolver is an Independent candidate for the Handforth South Ward for Handforth Parish Council. He has been a Handforth Parish Councillor for two years and Chairman for the past year.
Brian, 68, has lived in Handforth for 37 years and has two adult children and two young grandchildren who also live in Handforth. He spent 50 years working in computers and software, initially with IBM then he had his own software business for 30 years until he retired.
Speaking about why he is standing for re-election, Brian told me "I sought election to the Council to fight the impact of the Cheshire East Local Plan – to save our Green Belt and open spaces, and to avert the doubling of traffic along the A34.
"I am standing again because this huge threat to Handforth still exists and will be a danger to us until the Local Plan is finally resolved – this could be at least another two years."
He added "Handforth also has higher rates of deprivation than many parts of Cheshire East. This has encouraged me to work with the other non-party parish councillors to broaden what the Council does into social support functions. We introduced a partnership with the excellent charity Hampers of Hope, which provides a food bank, a money advice service, and a job club which has helped a number of Handforth people into employment.
"One of our councillors, Beryl Chapman, has established the Mobility and Access Group, which provides help for people with mobility and other difficulties and I want to see the Council do more in these social support 'people-oriented' aspects."
Brian continued "The Parish Council's income is quite modest – around £90,000 pa – but I hope to continue with the work of improving the village. In the last year, I have been able to secure £128,000 of funding to build more parking spaces in the village. I'm working with Cheshire East public servants, getting wider use of the community centre to ensure its survival, and protecting and enhancing our parks and open green spaces. We must all also continue to find a way to get wheelchair and pushchair access to the railway platforms."
When asked why people vote for him, Brian said "Well, I don't want to be a councillor for the sake of it – I'm certainly not a career politician. I've had a good life in Handforth, and I'd like to give something back. I've started out on a number of long-term improvements for Handforth, and, together with the team of Independent candidates, I'd like to see them through to completion."
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
His steadying influence upon his fellow Councillors brought undoubted dividends to our community in helping to prevent a significant financial loss when funds were sought to invest in a doomed social club last year.
In his role as one of the portfolio holders for parks and open spaces in Handforth, Brian has been particularly effective in providing valuable help in forming productive links with Cheshire East Council's parks development and maintenance company, ANSA.
I sincerely hope to see Brian returned to office in Handforth, to continue with the great work he has started.