In the run up to the General, Borough and Town Council elections on May 7th we have been 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 'Town Council Election'. Candidates representing the same party or group will also be connected via the tags.
Joan Fitzgerald is one of four Conservative candidates for the Wilmslow East Ward for Wilmslow Town Council
Joan, a retired schoolteacher, lives in Wilmslow with her husband Wesley Fitzgerald and has served on Wilmslow Town Council since it's inception in 2011.
Asked about why she is standing in this year's election, Joan told me "The reason I want to be re-elected to WTC is to continue the good work which I believe we have done in the past 4 years.
"I have lived in Wilmslow for approximately 10 years now and wish to help preserve the special environment we enjoy in this area. During my time on the council I have served on the Planning and Community & Order Committees. I have initiated the Wilmslow Clean Team which is now an all volunteer group operating under the leadership of Vicki Riley and making such a difference to the tidiness of the town."
Joan added "Enhancing the community spirit is something I believe is important and events such as improvement of the Christmas Lights, and organizing community celebrations like The Party in the Park and others, all arranged by the hard work of the Community & Order Committee are helping to bring the Wilmslow residents together to foster that spirit.
"As a walker & lover of green space I do believe that some public toilet provision is most necessary at The Carrs, especially in the Car Park area at Chancel Lane. I will work hard to achieve this."
She continued "The challenges facing Wilmslow in the near future are the completion of the Neighbourhood and Local Plans. I believe we made the right decision as a council to defer any action on these until a new council is in place so that any new council members can have ownership of the important decisions to be made. In common with many people in Wilmslow I will oppose any incursions into our precious greenbelt which I know we all feel is so important to our town.
"My feeling is that if you want to live in a pleasant and thriving community you have to take part in helping to build the spirit that is needed and that is why I am standing for re-election, so that I can carry on helping to make Wilmslow an even better place for all residents, young or old."
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