The candidates for the upcoming Cheshire East Council (CEC) & Wilmslow Town Council (WTC) Elections, representing the Wilmslow West & Chorley and Wilmslow West wards have been announced. Michael Gorman has decided to stand for election to both.
Residents in the Wilmslow West & Chorley Ward will have the choice of six candidates to fill two seats on CEC and residents in Wilmslow West will have the choice of nine candidates to fill five seats on WTC when they go to the polls on on Thursday, 4th May.
The candidates standing to represent Wilmslow West & Chorley Ward on CEC are:
- Anderson Michelle Louise - Green Party
- Estill Barry - Conservative Party Candidate
- Goldsmith Mark Andrew - Residents of Wilmslow *
- Gorman Michael David - Residents of Wilmslow
- Sarwar Hannan Amer - Conservative Party Candidate
- Wilson Gareth George - Liberal Democrats
The candidates standing to represent Wilmslow West on WTC are:
- Abdullah Faruq - Local Conservatives
- Mark Goldsmith * - Residents of Wilmslow
- Michael Gorman - Residents of Wilmslow
- Tim Higgins - Residents of Wilmslow
- Angela McPake * - Local Conservatives
- Julie Dawn Potts * - Local Conservatives
- Hannan Sarwar * - Local Conservatives
- Ed Sleath - Residents of Wilmslow
- Toby Tritschler - Residents of Wilmslow
I will publish brief interviews with each of the candidates, in the order in which I receive a response to my request. Use the tags below to locate the other candidate interviews published to date.
Please tell me about yourself - occupation, where you live, interests, family?
I am very family-orientated - married to Su and have 4 grown-up children (3 live locally and 1 in London). One cat - plus doggy day care for two dogs belonging to the children! In my spare time I spend too much money on guitars, books and bikes!
30+ years career as a University Senior Fellow - also worked in the printing & design industry. Previously Chair of Fairbridge and board member of the Prince's Trust: both charities which work to get young people into employment and training. Currently trustee and board member of two charities working to support senior and elderly people in the North of England.
How long you have lived here?
I have lived happily in Wilmslow, for 25+ years.
Are you a member of any local groups or societies?
I'm keen on sports and a Hon. Life Member of Lindow Cricket Club (as Club Treasurer I helped to build the new Pavilion). I've also been a member of Alderley Edge and Wilmslow Golf Clubs plus Redesmere Sailing Club.
As a parent of four children I've played an active part in Wilmslow Lacrosse Club, Wilmslow Scorpions Swimming Club (I even took the exam to be race starter!), Lindow Cricket Club, Wilmslow Rugby Club and Wilmslow Sports FC.
I'm currently an active member of the Wilmslow Historical Society (you might meet me as a tour guide in September!).
Why have you decided to stand for election as a borough councillor?
The Residents of Wilmslow (RoW) group has achieved a lot over the past 4 years and really improved Wilmslow (and Cheshire East Council) but we know, as a group, that we can do a lot more. Potholes, Planning and Parking are very important... and there are other issues too.
Wilmslow is an amazing place with some great community, sports and business groups. Being a councillor means getting things done and listening carefully to local residents and groups – and this is a great opportunity to work with groups like Transition Wilmslow, Wilmslow Business Improvement District, the Civic Trust, Historical Society - plus churches, schools, businesses and not forgetting individual residents and families with concerns. It's a chance to put Wilmslow first and really do what's best for the town.
Finally, the review of the Cheshire East Local Plan will be happening soon and this will require Wilmslow's councillors to argue robustly on behalf of Wilmslow's residents interests - rather than being compelled to follow a party political line.
What do you consider to be the important issues facing Wilmslow?
Green Belt + the CEC Local Plan: The Residents of Wilmslow group came into being to protect green spaces around Wilmslow when they were developing the current Cheshire East Local Plan and I would continue with this vital work. The Local Plan will be reviewed soon and I would definitely get involved in that process to protect and promote the interests of the town. RoW successfully lobbied to reduce Wilmslow's housing allocations - if we can increase our influence then we can do more to protect Wilmslow's remaining green belt.
Highways: RoW will, of course, be working to maximise the Highways funds made available to Wilmslow for improving the road surfaces but with reduced funding from central government, all councils are really struggling to maintain their networks. This is a major concern for many residents and there are roads, for example Chapel Lane, which are in desperate need of resurfacing but do not score highly enough against the criteria to be prioritised (given the limited budget). This is just not fair to Wilmslow residents or businesses and needs to change.
Wilmslow West & Chorley Issues: Improving parking issues (particularly Buckingham Road); Supporting the aspirations of the Wilmslow Neighbourhood Plan; Protecting Wilmslow Library for all users; Supporting businesses in the Ward – Chapel Lane, Davenport Green and Moor Lane have great local, independent businesses that need our full support to continue to thrive; Supporting sport and leisure in the ward – not forgetting our very own Green Room Theatre on Chapel Lane.
What do you hope to achieve and how in the next 4 years?
Be proud of Wilmslow and focus on what's best for the town.
I want to work with local business and community groups to develop and regenerate the town – and make it a great place, for all age groups, to live in and do business. RoW has had some success in implementing the Cheshire East Local Plan, especially in protecting the local Green Belt, but we need more RoW councillors to get the best deal for the town.
Locally the Wilmslow Neighbourhood Plan can mean better, and more organised parking; improved green spaces (such as Romany's Garden near the Library); more support for business and community groups. Again, we need a majority of RoW councillors to implement this.
We need to maximise access to the CEC Highways Fund – to get better road surfaces for all users – and RoW has had success with this already with the resurfacing of Kings Close and other local schemes.
It's also about supporting businesses and groups in Wilmslow West & Chorley – including Fulshaw Parade and Chapel Lane; Knutsford Road and Davenport Green plus working to make sure we support our local pubs and cafés.
Finally, I will continue to support the strenuous efforts of independents to run councils efficiently, in the best interests of residents, based on sound financial planning and careful budgetary control.
What experience and personal qualities will you bring to the role?
With my experience, at a senior level in large organisations, I have an ability to scrutinise and analyse complex information, deal with detail and focus on decision-making. I am also not afraid to ask questions (in the interests of Wilmslow), of council officers and others, when plans and proposals are presented. I have been Hon. Treasurer of several organisations and know the key importance of financial planning and budgetary control – especially in a time of squeezed resources, for local councils, from central government.
I have a particular interest in promoting opportunities for young people – getting them into work and training. I also looked after my mother, who lived in Wilmslow for many years, and know the difficulties involved in navigating social care and support for seniors – we need a lot more practical help and information in this area.
Finally, I have the experience gained from working within the RoW group in understanding the role of a councillor. I have gained significant working knowledge of both Wilmslow Town Council and Cheshire East County Council. Knowing who to go to and how things work really helps when trying to get things done, especially when trying to help Wilmslow residents with problems.
Why should Wilmslow residents vote for you?
The Row approach is much better way to run Councils. "People before Politics "is the slogan – and RoW was formed by concerned local residents because party politics was really getting in the way of improving life for the people of Wilmslow - sorting out problems with parking, planning and promoting business and leisure. It's also about how you conduct politics and discuss issues – many people are simply turned off by the endless sniping, spinning and petty point scoring of the major political parties.
The approach of RoW is to avoid this and engage with Wilmslow residents, listen carefully to their concerns and advocate strongly for the interests of the town at local and county council level.
I am standing for RoW as I agree with this approach – it's about putting the interests of Wilmslow first. As independents, there is no RoW "whip" or telephone calls from a regional office telling us how to vote or what to do.
It is also easy to forget the significant problems Cheshire East Council had just four years ago with financial incompetence, endless controversy, police investigations and scandals. The Council is now a much better organisation thanks to the changes made by the independents including RoW. Vote for me if you want someone who has extensive experience and is free from party politics, who is open and accessible (by email and phone, plus the RoW stall at the Artisan Market where I may have met you already). I will also, as all RoW Councillors do, hold a monthly surgery at Wilmslow Library – not just when we need your vote at election time...but to listen and engage with you, the residents of Wilmslow.
*current councillor.
