Borough & Town Council Elections: Wilmslow East Ward candidate David Jefferay

daves pic

In the run up to the General, Borough and Town 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 Wilmslow East Ward will all be tagged 'Wilmslow East Ward' and 'Borough Elections'. Candidates representing the same party or group will also be connected via the tags.

David Jefferay is a Residents of Wilmslow candidate for the Wilmslow East Ward for both Cheshire East Borough Council and Wilmslow Town Council.

David is 39 years old and was born and raised in Wilmslow. He went to Lindow Primary School and then Wilmslow High School before joining AstraZeneca (then ICI) Pharmaceuticals in Macclesfield as an apprentice. After that he left the area to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nottingham and then moved around the country with work before returning to Wilmslow in 2010. He now works as a consultant engineer designing cranes for handling radioactive materials. He also has a small business providing training courses to the nuclear industry but will be employing a manager if he is successful in the elections.

In his spare time, David enjoys walking, adventure/survival holidays and volunteers for the Wilmslow Animal Sanctuary. He lives on Knutsford Road with his fiancée Louise and their two cats Poppy and Chloe (and occasionally kittens that they foster for the RSPCA).

Speaking about why he has decided to stand for election as both a Borough and Town councillor, David told me "Since joining the Town Council, I've really enjoyed being able to make a contribution through assessing applications on the planning committee, voting on grant applications made by groups in the community, and trying to sort out day-to-day issues raised by the residents. Until I became Councillor, I genuinely didn't realise that there were so many groups of good people in the town trying to build the community. I've really enjoyed supporting them.

"Unfortunately many of the daily problems that people bring to me, such as the parking issues and poorly maintained pavements, are still under Cheshire East control and, even as a Town Councillor, I experience great frustration when my requests to Cheshire East aren't acted upon or even acknowledged. I therefore believe I can do much more for the residents by sitting on both Councils. I understand that not everyone will agree, so I thought I would stand and let the residents decide if they would like me to sit on one, both or neither."

I asked David what he considered to be the important issues facing Wilmslow.

He told me "I stood for the Town Council last November primarily because of the threat to the town's greenbelt. I am still opposed to development of the greenbelt and I have great concerns about what is going to happen with the Local Development Plan. It is looking like the revised plan will put even more pressure on the greenbelt as the housing needs forecast for Cheshire East is going to increase from 27,000 homes to 35,000+ homes (plus the associated increase in employment land that will need to be developed).

"This is currently being considered by the Council as a "minor change" so they only have to tweak the local plan rather than reconsider whether those needs can actually be met. I don't consider a third more houses and twice as many jobs than the previous revision to be a minor change. It will have a major impact on our traffic, our schools and our GPs which would struggle under the original proposals. However, the Conservative Councillors in our Conservative led Council will have no choice but to follow party line and not object.

"Another key issue is obviously parking. At the moment we are just applying yellow lines to address the issue of daytime parkers. I understand residents' desire to do this but it is not dealing with the problem and is just pushing the cars around the town (Daveylands to Thorngrove and now to Leaside Way). Also, to help reduce the high turnover of businesses in our town centre, amongst other factors, we need to increase footfall and to do that we need better parking. The two problems need slightly different solutions but they both boil down to better parking in the town centre."

He added "I would be in trouble with my mother if I didn't also mention pavements. She is always complaining to me about the state of the pavements in my ward. However, as a Town Councillor I unfortunately cannot do any more than any other resident."

Speaking about what he hopes to achieve and how, David said "The Residents of Wilmslow group are acknowledged as having the latest and most comprehensive information on building sites and potential building sites in Wilmslow. They can show that most, if not all, of Wilmslow's development needs can be met using brownfield sites. I want to make sure that the evidence they have been compiling is given due consideration in the next revision of the local plan and that the plan minimises the impact on the greenbelt.

"I also plan to work closely with the various business and community groups in the town to a) make it more profitable for our existing businesses, b) make it more attractive for new businesses to reduce the number of empty shops and c) make it a better and more pleasant place for those of us who live here."

"In summary, I want to fight Wilmslow's corner on the Borough Council."

He added "Residents should vote for me because it's time for a bit more balance on the Council. I'm not anti-Conservative but the advantage I have is that I do not have to follow party line.

"Residents should vote for me if:

  • They would like a Councillor who is accessible and approachable
  • They think party politics is unnecessary at local council level
  • They oppose development of the greenbelt when there are brownfield sites available
  • They want an enthusiastic, proactive Councillor
  • They want a Councillor who always acts in the best interests of the residents
  • They want a Councillor who is experienced in delivering major projects."
Tags:
Borough Elections, David Jefferay, Elections 2015, Residents of Wilmslow, Wilmslow East Ward, Wilmslow Town Council Election
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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Kerry Louise Burgess
Thursday 16th April 2015 at 7:26 pm
David, wishing you all the success, I grew up in Wilmslow, from what I have seen of you, you are very proactive, and community spirited. I sincerely hope you become elected. It is great to see you are also supportive of businesses and looking at parking issues.
David Jefferay
Thursday 16th April 2015 at 7:58 pm
Thanks for your kind comments, Kerry. Good luck to you too for your campaign.
DELETED ACCOUNT
Friday 17th April 2015 at 7:44 am
Have to say that the picture says it all. This election is about the future of Wilmslow and not the tired party politics of the past.
Nick Jones
Friday 17th April 2015 at 11:10 am
Disillusioned voters, dismayed by disengaged politicians failing with their; Responsibility - (Adlington Rd, Lyme Green, Local Plan, Parking etc..) Failing to listen - to their electorate, Failing to rebuild trust- in the practice of politics. (Reminiscent of Neil Hamilton / Martin Bell)... This all now sets a stage for meaningful change and a chance for local issues to be better represented, (and others to hang up their boots).
Drawing upon what is on public record on these pages, the non- partisan, local approach by ROW candidates is fresh, in line with commonly shared values of residents. What a pleasant change! Good luck in the Locals!
Kerry Louise Burgess
Friday 17th April 2015 at 4:48 pm
Thank you David. I have just emailed you. Speak soon and take care.
Martin Lewis
Saturday 18th April 2015 at 7:02 am
I have just moved across town from Dean Row to Wilmslow East ward and would just like to congratulate you on the work you have done so far as a Councillor.
Wilmslow needs more independent Councillors at Borough and Town levels who listen and act for the residents instead of the party.
You'll walk into both seats!
David Jefferay
Saturday 18th April 2015 at 8:01 am
Thank you for the support, Martin. I'm hoping I get the chance to get my teeth into really making a difference.