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 live just off Cumber Lane and we are about to move further up the road, that'll be our third time in 10 years, all on the Wilmslow West ward!
I am now retired, not from the removal business, but from a career in store management with Sainsbury's and Argos. After that I joined Silentnight to run a project to set up and open their first retail stores. So it's mostly been front end customer facing work which I enjoy, so much so, that I've gone back to Sainsbury's working a couple of days a week in the Wilmslow store.
Retail has certainly changed since I started, so much is online. But I believe there are still opportunities for those businesses that can offer something different or unique in Wilmslow.
I enjoy walking, both locally and further afield. I've always been interested in history and have recently started metal detecting. It's not the value of finds for me, but more about the connection with their history. Less Staffordshire hoard, more shoe buckle from the 17th Century!
I'm lucky to have access to some land for vegetable growing. Its great to see the results of your work at harvest time, although one year I found there was only so much broad bean hummus I could eat !
I live with my partner Sally and have two daughters and a step son, all grown and flown.
How long have you lived here?
I've lived here for 11 years, although, I did lodge here in 1984/5 at the start of my career with Sainsbury's.
I originate from Newcastle-Under-Lyme; however, I have worked in various towns across the Northwest and lived in Preston for 25 years before moving to Wilmslow.
Are you a member of any local groups or societies?
Not at the moment. I'm currently attempting to learn Spanish at the Wilmslow Guild and I'm a Community Responder with RVS.
Why have you decided to stand for election as a town councillor?
Since moving to Wilmslow, I have been keen to understand the way Wilmslow has been impacted by ongoing projects / planning and the process that it utilises to improve the local facilities for our community.
I have been really impressed by the involvement of local residents; in keeping the town clean, providing entertainment and generally supporting each other when needed. I've seen the impact RoW has had in playing its part in these improvements. I'm attracted to the fact that it's a non-political group. There is a place for centrally controlled parties but I think the tempo of our time is towards local issues being dealt with by local people set apart from some of the national noise.
I wanted to get involved and so it was, that I approached Cllr Mark Goldsmith with the intention of becoming a town councillor.
I want to assist in achieving the overall goal to improve Wilmslow both for residents and businesses. I hope to represent Wilmslow's interests, bring new ideas, assist in moving projects forward and give back to the community where I live.
What do you consider to be the important issues facing Wilmslow?
I think most people agree that Wilmslow town centre needs support in making it more attractive for retailers and leisure alike. Businesses are trying hard to make a success here, but it could be a great place to spend time with more help from the Town Council.
As my experience is in retail, I would like to get involved in supporting the local businesses with the BID. We need to ensure that we utilise the funds efficiently and ensure that monies spent results in the right impact for all of the businesses in Wilmslow.
Protection of the green belt is also one of my concerns. There will always be progression in our town, but we need to be aware of the impact of each proposal and ensure a balance across aesthetics, infrastructure support and demand.
Where I believe RoW have really succeeded is communicating with the Wilmslow community. The residents are kept in touch with local decisions, how/if they can influence them and as a channel ideas for improvement.
What do you hope to achieve and how in the next 4 years?
I would like to work together with RoW councillors to deliver on their objectives over the next 4 years and support the Wilmslow Neighbourhood Plan.
In particular defining the town centre in respect of a place for the community to come together safely, whilst balancing the demands of traffic and trade.
I think that communication is a key tool in ensuring Wilmslow residents are aware of the RoW and the town council's contribution to improving the town. I would use social and other mediums to keep them up to date.
Up until now the RoW have been a relatively small group, however, due to the recent increase in candidates for the May elections, I hope to support the group in achieving its objectives.
What experience and personal qualities will you bring to the role?
Having worked at the front-end of customer service, I have the ability to understand and respond to residents' concerns, ideas and observations in a pragmatic and professional manner.
I would be new to the role of Town Councillor, but like many candidates I believe my work and life experiences can be put to good use in delivering ideas and projects.
Why should Wilmslow residents vote for you?
You will be getting some one who is energetic, and keen to get stuff done. I am committed to the task, and look forward to the opportunity of working along side residents and councillors alike to help deliver our chosen projects.
I believe we should be serving the community, not self-serving and feel transparency is key in this role. Due to RoW's independent status we do not have to be driven by a central agenda; simply put, our agenda is 'What is best for Wilmslow?'
*current councillor.
