The candidates for the upcoming Wilmslow Town Council election, representing Dean Row Ward, have been announced.
Residents in the Dean Row Ward will have the choice of six candidates to fill four seats when they go to the polls on on Thursday, 4th May.
The candidates standing are:
- Lata Anderson * - Residents of Wilmslow
- Dion Cross - Residents of Wilmslow
- Jack Illingworth * - Local Conservatives
- Ellie Jackson - Residents of Wilmslow
- Jon Newell * - Residents of Wilmslow
- Angela Smethurst - Local Conservatives
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 a 46 year old full time working mum of two teenage children. I am Managing Director of a family owned construction business, delivering homes and commercial buildings across the north west. I live on Adlington Road in Dean Row ward , with my husband and children. My sister and nephew also live in Dean Row and my mum lives in Wilmslow East ward. We are all in walking distance of each other.
Outside of work, I enjoy football and have watched Manchester United since I was a young girl. I like to cook, bake and do flower arranging. I am currently learning Spanish and to ballroom dance.
How long you have lived in there?
I have lived in Wilmslow for over 25 years overall. I lived here as a teenager when doing my A Levels and when at Manchester University. I then moved back after living in Bramhall when I was first married in 2003, moving to Land Lane and then to Adlington Road in 2015.
Are you a member of any local groups or societies?
Being a mum and wife and running my own business, employing over 50 staff takes up time, so I decided to volunteer and use my time straight off as a Town Council candidate for the Conservatives.
I am not currently a member of any local groups or societies, but my children have been involved with the Guide and Scout movements and football and rugby clubs locally from being young. They have been involved in the community with those groups, volunteering and supporting local events when younger.
Why have you decided to stand for election as a town councillor?
I am interested in politics, and my business is involved in delivering social housing schemes across Greater Manchester. As a result, I have made lots of connections with people in local councils across Greater Manchester, and I have been greatly impressed with many of the people I have met, of all political persuasions, and how people in local government really can make a difference to lives. I realised that instead of talking about what needed to be done, then I wanted to be one of those people who actually did something, inputting with ideas and time, and making things happen. I believe that there is always a way.
I am female, working, employing people, with teenagers and I do feel I have real world perspective on current issues.
I would like to be able to build on community initiatives already existing in the borough to give all generations the opportunity to be out in the town and supporting each other. People make places and so we need to create opportunity and purpose to our place to make people want to be there.
What do you consider to be the important issues facing Wilmslow?
Wilmslow needs a place as a focus for people across the generations to go, gather and meet. The establishment of a community hub would be a welcome addition to the community landscape.
We also need to encourage more people to visit the town, for leisure and hospitality in the day and at night. My interest in history, having gained a History Degree at University, also highlights to me the need to establish our historical story and attract people to it.
Additional community events on the Carrs and Bank Square would further support both of these issues
I personally have experienced the issues of speeding in residential areas after a high speed crash into my front wall in December 2022,causing extensive damage but fortunately no serious injuries.
Supporting local residents when they want a reduced speed limit in their locality would be an important safety and environmental issue from my perspective.
What do you hope to achieve and how in the next 4 years?
I hope to focus on the things that will make Wilmslow a more vibrant place to live and be in the next 4 years – the key issues I have already mentioned above, as well as working to develop the Wilmslow Neighbourhood plan. In focusing on three key things, working collaboratively with all on the Town Council, then securing specific and relevant goals is more than possible.
What experience and personal qualities will you bring to the role?
I have been an MD for over 5 years, and a Board Director for over 10 years before that of a business turning over in excess of £10 million. I lead a business through the pandemic, and protected jobs and finances through that most difficult of times. This experience has taught me the importance of resilience, patience, and positive thinking. I am ever the optimist and believe that all things are possible. I recognise the importance of emotional intelligence and empathy, and how taking people with you will be the difference between how you may succeed or fail.
Why should Dean Row Ward residents vote for you?
I live in Dean Row and I love living here. I am proud of where we live. I am committed, focused and ready to listen to and work with local residents to make our town an even better place to be, for both business and residents alike. I want to be involved locally where I can use my skills and time to really make a difference to daily life for people in Dean Row and in Wilmslow.
*current councillor.
