The candidates for the upcoming Wilmslow Town Council election, representing Wilmslow West Ward, have been announced.
Residents in Wilmslow will have the choice of nine candidates to fill five seats when they go to the polls on on Thursday, 4th May.
The candidates standing are:
- Abdullah Faruq - Local Conservatives
- Mark Goldsmith * - Residents of Wilmslow
- Michael Gorman - Residents of Wilmslow
- Tim Higgins - Residents of Wilmslow
- Angela McPake * - Local Conservatives
- Julie Dawn Potts * - Local Conservatives
- Hannan Sarwar * - Local Conservatives
- Ed Sleath - Residents of Wilmslow
- Toby Tritschler - Residents of Wilmslow
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 was born in Chester but raised in Yorkshire, so consider myself a northerner, but remain on the fence when it comes to taking sides in terms of the West or East of the Pennines debate. I live in the Villas with my wife (Hazel) , greyhound (Schroedinger) and extended family of 12-year-old son (who splits his time between myself and his mum) and 26-year-old stepson (and his girlfriend).
My career is varied from farming and work with horses in my teens and twenties, to running an off licence; but for the past 18 years I have worked in HR. Initially within the NHS but more recently in the private sector, I specialise in Employee Relations on primarily a UK basis but have experience across the globe. I have a particular interest in wellbeing - encouraging activity and promoting positive mental health.
I'm pretty much a fan of all sports - mainly watching rather than participating now - and enjoy the outdoors, walking the dog, strolling round National Trust properties (the walk through the Carrs and up to Styal and back is lovely) and generally enjoying the countryside.
How long you have lived in there?
We moved to Wilmslow around 12 months ago, although my wife spent time here as a child visiting her grandparents who lived near the rugby club, so it feels like a sort of homecoming for her.
Are you a member of any local groups or societies?
Not yet, although I am a member of the National Trust and English Heritage.
Why have you decided to stand for election as a town councillor?
I believe in putting something back into the community and helping to support and develop opportunities for growth. Every so often I see the "Best places to live in the UK" or "Happiest Towns in Britain" stories in the media and wonder what I could do to make my home happier - so standing to represent the community gives an opportunity to answer that with action. I am a firm believer that the best way to resolve an issue is to do so as close to the source as possible; so being independent of party politics and as a "resident" I can be a voice of the community.
What do you consider to be the important issues facing Wilmslow?
Whenever anyone thinks of local councils they think of planning, potholes and parking. Obviously, these are issues that require strong and joined up interaction between the Town Council and Cheshire East Council.
But in addition, there are issues of accessibility to the town - making it easier for residents to get into the centre and retail areas; and more attractive for them when they are there, encouraging walking or cycling into town, making both of these safer and practical. The positive benefits of physical activity lead to improved health and wellbeing; and if we can reduce the use of cars we also have environmental benefits.
There are many empty retail units in Wilmslow - working with business to find positive uses for these will create a more attractive environment which locals will want to spend time in, and visitors will want to stay. Our green spaces need to be both promoted and protected; recent parking issues have shown that people want to visit but that can't be allowed to be detrimental to residents accessing roads, facilities and in some cases their own driveways.
What do you hope to achieve and how in the next 4 years?
In short, if elected, I would love to be able to look back in 4 years time and say that I had a hand in making things better for people who live in Wilmslow.
I will be looking to engage with community groups and individuals, to understand, from the horses mouths, what could be better. I am not naïve enough to think that I know everything about Wilmslow and therefore communication is key.
At the same time there are things that are measurable aims - I would like to see a reduction in car traffic through Wilmslow by encouraging walking or cycling into town, promotion of safe routes and cycle storage; an improvement in health and wellbeing of the community by working with the local health centres to promote active lifestyles and provide environments to encourage this (eg facilities at Jim Evison fields); a more appealing and attractive centre by developing small green spaces or quiet spaces for relaxation; working with businesses and landlords to encourage either use of empty units or attractive decoration of them; engagement with community groups and local schools to promote what is great about Wilmslow; and finally to improve communication of what the Town Council is doing with the introduction of a "You said...We did..." regular feedback channel through all forms of media.
What experience and personal qualities will you bring to the role?
A background in HR means that I have a wealth of experience of listening, analysing and responding to a wide range of issues in order to provide effective problem solving solutions. I have worked in the NHS where maximum performance is expected from minimal finance, so am adept at providing cost effective options. I have been involved in many committees and boards where it has been essential to be truly independent and act in the best interests of the body that I have represented. But more importantly is a desire to do the right thing in a respectful manner.
Why should Wilmslow West residents vote for you?
If I were looking for attributes of someone that I would vote for; I would seek honesty, integrity, openness and a commitment to do the best for the community. These are the reasons that I believe I would make a good town councillor and why I feel my co-residents of Wilmslow should vote for me. I can't promise to solve every problem and satisfy every person who lives in Wilmslow; but I can promise to listen and investigate your issues, attend meetings and discuss your concerns and above all do what is best for Wilmslow.
*current councillor.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
To Residents of Wilmslow as a group, thanks for dropping a leaflet through my door and making me think that I could offer something, then supporting and guiding through the process.
To those who stood for election (both sides), thank you for standing, making a contest and giving people a choice.
To those who voted - thankyou for engaging and giving an opinion.
To those who voted for me - obviously I couldn't get the seat without your support so huge thanks for having faith.
I guess the hard work starts now and the need to act on the plans and promises. So thank you all!