As reported two weeks ago, two candidates are competing for the role of Borough Councillor in the Alderley Ward by-election which will be held on Thursday, September 30th.
Following on from the interview we published last week, with the Conservative Party candidate Matthew Lloyd, I caught up Oliver Romain, the Liberal Democrat candidate from Hawthorn Grove in Wilmslow.
I put the same questions forward to both candidates to find out more about who they are, why they decided to stand for election and what they consider to be the key issues affecting local residents.
If you have any questions you wish to ask either, or both, candidates please use the comment box below. Matthew and Oliver are both members of wilmslow.co.uk and I am sure they will answer questions as and when they can.
1. Why did you decide to stand for election as a Borough Councillor for the Alderley Ward?
At this election voters are choosing the best councillor to sort out Cheshire East's terrible financial mess. Our local council is £13.5 million in the red and is facing a cash crisis. The local Tories bosses won't admit they need help and snubbed Cheshire East's Liberal Democrat's when they offered advice when the budget was drawn up in the Spring.
Cheshire East needs an experienced local business owner like me to help sort out the severe financial problems which have hit the council.
2. Why do you feel you are qualified to take on this role?
I live, work and volunteer locally and understand the needs of the area. In addition to founding a successful Macclesfield based publishing and exhibitions business, I am also a hard-working and time-served community volunteer. I founded the area's popular recycling community - Wilmslow Freecycle which is now the largest membership group in the and has helped to save thousands of tonnes of unwanted items going to landfill.
My business skills combined with a strong sense of community spirit and willingness to volunteer my time and skills for the benefit of residents will appeal to voters who are naturally sceptical about career politicians.
3. What do you consider to be the five biggest concerns for local residents and how do you intend to address these?
So far, I have been visiting homes across the area - from Wilmslow and Alderley Edge, through Nether Alderley, Over Alderley, Chorley, Henbury and Siddington, down to Lower Withington, Marton and Eaton - and residents have raised their concerns about the state of the national and local finances.
Nationally, the Conservatives under David Cameron recognised that they could not work alone and had to form a Coalition Government to try to tackle Britain's horrendous money problems. But locally, the ruling Tory bosses here in Cheshire East thought they could go it alone - and they have snubbed all offers of help from Councillors belonging to other parties.
Voters can tell them that they need the right type of people with the necessary business experience - but who may not be card-carrying members of the Conservative Party - to help get them out of this mess.
My action plan includes:
- Reduce credit card use
I want to find out how much of the £2 million spent on council credit cards is really necessary and why staff credit card spending seems so out of control.
- Marketing & Public Relations
Recession hit local businesses have cut back marketing costs. However, last year the Council lavished £16,000 of your money on attending the Tory conference. It's time to stop this wasteful spending!
- Control printing costs
I know from my own business that taking control of printing and reducing paper use can deliver huge savings. I will work to ensure that image obsessed Cheshire East's print spending is kept in check.
- Cheshire East Spending Challenge
My call for ideas on how Cheshire East can save money was well-received. I am calling on Cheshire East to set up a scheme that mirrors the coalition government's national Spending Challenge - where members of the public and staff can offer money saving ideas.
- Cut travel waste
Cheshire East Council spent a whopping £1.1 million on staff travel in the first three months of the year - double that of neighbouring councils. I agree with the Taxpayers Alliance's call for a review of this wasteful practice.
4. Will the recently published Parish Plan make a difference to Alderley Edge?
We need to be positive about Alderley Edge, it is one of the best village centres in the region. There are few villages that can boast such a broad range of independent shops, cafes and even a busy library. I believe Alderley Edge is a success and something to be proud of.
The rich mix of shops and restaurants bring in footfall and make for a thriving village, however, licensing does need to be kept in check to avoid nuisance for residents. Residents have also raised concerns about road safety, including weight restrictions and how pedestrians will cross the new-bypass.
I am grateful for those who helped create the Parish Plan and whilst it is early days I am sure it will prove valuable. However, the success of the village in the long term is down to how much we support our local independent businesses.
Local businesses are telling me they are struggling with the high level of business rates, many of these local shops provide the community with essential services and I believe it is 'out of order' for Cheshire East to be spending so irresponsibly whilst demanding such high rates.
5. Will a Town Council make a difference to Wilmslow?
The Liberal Democrats in Wilmslow are supporting the formation of a Town Council as a necessary piece of local democracy and look forward to the first elections for the council - hopefully in 2011.
Many town councils are very successful, however, others end up as talking shops for another unnecessary layer of local politicians. Success is not guaranteed so we must work hard to ensure that Wilmslow Town Council is a success. Our duty is to the families and businesses who are struggling in these tough economic times and it is essential that the cost of the new council is reasonable and that the council works well for the area. Wilmslow residents can't afford for a town council to be financially mis-managed in the same way Cheshire East is by local Tory bosses.
6. The position you are standing for will only exist until May next year when the local elections take place. As part of the Boundary Commission Review a single member ward is being recommended in Alderley Edge, with the same boundaries as Alderley Edge parish. Frank Keegan has already told alderleyedge.com "I will offer myself for selection as a candidate in the 2011 elections for Alderley Edge." What are you intentions for the 2011 elections?
Do you intend to stand against Frank Keegan as a candidate for the Alderley Edge single member ward or maybe put yourself forward as a candidate for a neighbouring ward?
Whilst Frank appears to have thrown his hat in the ring, in reality, neither Frank, Matthew or I know who will be standing next year. I will leave it for Matthew and Frank to battle it out for the Tory candidacy.
One thing is certain, politics has changed and any Tory candidate hoping for an easy election to the council will have to think again. In recent local by-elections there has been a six percent swing from Tory to Liberal Democrats.
Regarding my candidacy, I am 'only 40' and am looking forward to playing my part in the local community for as long as I am able to make a difference. I am an active member of our local party and approved Liberal Democrat candidate.
I want what is best for the community and whilst I do plan to apply for selection for next year's local elections, the local party will decide democratically who is the best person for the task at the time.
Click here to read Matthew Lloyd's interview which we published last week.
