Elections will be held on Thursday, May 5th, for Cheshire East Council, the national referendum on the alternative vote system and the new Wilmslow Parish Council.
Wilmslow will have fifteen councillors on the new Parish Council, divided amongst four wards.
I recently caught up with the seven candidates for the Wilmslow West ward, who are competing for five seats on the new Wilmslow Parish Council.
Gary Philip Barton - Conservative
Gary Barton, 28, has lived in Wilmslow for 27 years. He went to Ashdene County Primary, where he is now a Governor, to Manchester Grammar School and then to the University of Manchester where he studied Classic and Ancient History.
Gary has worked for several shops in Wilmslow when he was younger and now works as a telecoms analyst. He has been a Cheshire East Councillor for the Wilmslow South ward since 2008, and before that he was elected for the Handforth ward for Macclesfield Borough Council in 2007. Aside from politics, his hobbies are reading, football and he is also an animal lover.
Gary told me he is standing for election again, "because I very much enjoy being a Councillor and greatly appreciate the opportunity to help improve my home town. The last four years on Macclesfield Borough and now Cheshire East Council have been a great learning experience for me and I feel that I am now better positioned to do more for Wilmslow.
"Improving Wilmslow as a 'destination' town is a big priority for me, including tidying up the town centre and working with local businesses to improve Wilmslow as a shopping experience.
"I think that improving our roads has to be a priority, even though money is tight we need to look at ways we can repair damage on roads such as Moor Lane, Gravel Lane and Altrincham Road.
"I am also a keen environmentalist and I fully support the Cheshire East Conservative's plans to introduce door step plastic recycling."
Paul Andrew Barton - Conservative
Paul Barton, 25, has lived in Wilmslow all his life, he works in Sainsbury's Wilmslow on the Customer Service Desk and is the brother of Councillor Gary Barton.
Paul told me "I have lived at 3 different addresses in Wilmslow, which has a lot to do with why I love Wilmslow so much.
"There has been a tremendous sense of community in each road I have lived on, almost family atmosphere and pride in their town. People who only know me from Sainsbury's, or who I have only met once, stop and offer me a ride into Wilmslow Town Centre on my way to work or shopping - they are always keen to get to know each other and show just how friendly the people of Wilmslow are.
"Not only this, but you don't have to look far in Wilmslow to see how beautiful it is. For example, people's gardens, the King's Arms roundabout or the Relief Sculpture we have on the wall at the side of Sainsbury's. Even though it is about Alderly Edge, it is still showing that we take pride in how our town looks.
"I want to stand for the local election because I think Wilmslow is a town worth working for. Some of the main issues that I think are very important are road safety and litter around Wilmslow. It is so unfortunate that all the hard work that people have put into making this town as beautiful as it is can be ruined by people dropping litter, leaving dog mess, broken bottles and more all over our streets and in people's gardens.
"Also road safety, I feel, is a major issue, especially on routes where children are regularly walking to school. Too often you see people recklessly breaking the speed limit, driving past children of all ages not caring about possible consequences of their actions."
Emily Carp - Liberal Democrat
Emily Carp, 18, grew up in Wilmslow and moved to Alderley Edge in 2008. She is an After School Assistant at St Anne's Primary School and co-ordinated Wilmslow High School's Liberal Democrat campaign for the mock election.
Emily told me "I'm running for election for numerous reasons. Primarily, I believe Wilmslow is a great place, and it would only be improved by the devolution of power to a more local level, so that local issues are dealt with by local people who really care and have a personal interest. However I have always been fascinated by politics: the theories, the philosophies and the practices.
"Wilmslow often appears neglected by county councils, who seem to forget about it in some sense. Many people are concerned by the state of the roads and the pavements, the lack of safe crossing places, and the way public space is utilised.
"I always dreamt as a child that I'd rule the world, helping those in need justly and fairly. Whilst obviously that was nothing more than a child's superlative statement I passionately believe that government, whether local or national, have the power to make the changes that the people want and that they should do so to the best of their ability. Whilst I won't change the world, I may be able to impact upon someone's world.
"I will strive for excellence for Wilmslow West residents, working hard for my neighbours and maintaining a level of independence from Cheshire East."
Dave Cash - Independent
David Cash has lived in Wilmslow for 38 years since leaving Cardiff University with an honours degree in Biochemistry. He has spent most of his working life in research and medical sales and experienced claiming Job Seeker's Allowance.
David told me "I have witnessed many changes in Wilmslow, some good, some not so good. I have taken a particular interest in roads, traffic and parking since campaigning against the proposed 'traffic-calming' of Buckingham Road. I would like to take an active role in securing amenities and services for Wilmslow, without a Party affiliation.
"Some may describe me as a pragmatic realist. Whilst a 'team player', I prefer to form my own opinions, based on the evidence available, without having to 'toe the Party line'. As an Independent Councillor I will listen to all points of view, and hopefully choose the best option for most residents."
"The formation of a Parish Council for Wilmslow is controversial and will cost every resident an additional charge on their Council Tax. Cheshire East intends to devolve / offset additional responsibilities/ costs to the Parish. The first decision for the parish council is whether to accept them. (Alderley Edge is taking a cautious wait & see approach.)
"My hope is that Wilmslow Parish Council will comprise of resilient individuals, free of personal or political ambition, that reflect a wide range of views and experience, working for Wilmslow residents until the next parish election
"Any candidate, not standing for the dominant Party, will have an uphill struggle to be elected- but every vote counts!"
Christopher John Dodson - Conservative
Christopher Dodson, 66, is a retired solicitor and has lived in Wilmslow since 1973.
Christopher told me "I am standing for election to the new Wilmslow Town Council because I want the voice of Wilmslow to be heard more loudly in Cheshire East and because I want to preserve and improve Wilmslow.
"I consider the important issues facing Wilmslow to include: the future of the Leisure Centre and Library, as I will take a deal of convincing that there is any need to replace these, the appalling state of Hawthorn Lane, Knutsford Road and other roads, both major and minor. I hope that the Town Council will be able to badger Cheshire East into bringing these back to a proper standard.
"Also the empty shops in Grove Street, the uneven pavements along Alderley Road and Water Lane. More importantly, however, I would like to hear from the other residents of Wilmslow what they consider to be the priorities.
"Once it is established I hope that the Town Council will be able to do certain things, for example cutting verges, clearing gulleys and cleaning the streets, more cheaply but to at least as high a standard as Cheshire East, and generally improve the appearance of the town centre."
Keith Purdom - Conservative
Keith Purdom, 61, works as an aviation management consultant. He moved to Wilmslow in 1993 and, with his wife Lesley, brought up their two sons Scott and Elliott in the town.
Keith told me "I became interested in the Parish Council when I understood that we have an opportunity to focus uniquely and solely on the issues facing Wilmslow and bring a focus that, with the best of intentions, Cheshire East Council with their wider responsibility cannot have.
"I believe that there are significant opportunities to save costs by transferring to us some of the work currently provided for us in Wilmslow by Cheshire East - other local Parish councils seem to have been very successful in achieving cost savings in this way.
"Of course the first issue for all of us in these difficult economic times is costs but also we have issues with empty shops in Wilmslow, litter, parking in residential streets, antisocial behaviour and especially potholes.
"I believe my business experience will allow me to make a real contribution to the council and am very much hoping to be successful in the election."
Hilary Shepherd - Conservative
Hilary Shepherd has been a resident of Wilmslow since 1976. She is from Yorkshire, but grew up in Morecambe.
After completing an MA in French and the Law of European Institutions at Edinburgh University she moved into industry, with a training position in the British Steel Corporation.
More recently, Hilary fulfilled a number of commercial and training roles in a 20 year career with one of the major global pharmaceutical companies, before opting for early retirement.
Hilary told me "Having seen the way Wilmslow has grown from a village to its present size, I am concerned that future development in the town is in keeping with its character and that local facilities, such as parking and schools, can cope with any further expansion."
Please use the comment box below if you have any questions you would like to ask the candidates.
There will not be an election in the Dean Row and Wilmslow East wards because they are uncontested. Therefore the new councillors will be:
Dean Row ward: Jim Crockatt, Don Glover, Joanne Milnes and Martin John Watkins - all of whom are Conservative.
Wilmslow East ward: Matthew John Hodgson, Joan McCrane, Ruth Alison McNulty and Sue Menlove - all of whom are Conservative.
Photos: Gary Barton, Paul Barton, Emily Carp, Dave Cash, Christopher Dodson and Hilary Shepherd.
