The candidates for the upcoming Wilmslow Town Council Election, representing Wilmslow Lacey Green Ward, have been announced.
Residents in the Lacey Green Ward will have the choice of five candidates to fill three seats on WTC when they go to the polls on on Thursday, 4th May.
The candidates standing are:
- Elaine Evans - Residents of Wilmslow
- Nigel Halford - Local Conservatives
- Chris Hilliard - Residents of Wilmslow
- Joseph Shenton - Local Conservatives
- James Vickers - 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 am 63 years old and am hoping to represent the Lacey Green ward. I am retired , my last employment was with Greater Manchester Police where I was a Police officer.
In my 20 years career I had the opportunity to work in some very challenging areas of Manchester and worked with some exceptional colleagues dealing with serious crime and social issues. I recognize the importance of team work and have seen how effective communication and working to a common goal can achieve the desired effect.
I am a very practical and hands on type of person. I have a variety of interests that include general DIY, genealogy, local History and vehicle maintenance. Gardening I have to say is more a chore than a passion but it has its rewards equally.
Coming from a Detective back ground I like to research local history such as RAF Wilmslow and how the previous camps were incorporated into the current town development. I find it interesting to be able to find relics of those past camps still present in the landscape. We are surrounded by history you just have to look for it.
I am divorced with 3 adult children.
How long have you lived here?
I have lived in the Stanneylands area of Wilmslow for the past 20 years, but I am not a native of Cheshire. I originate from the West Country and am Cornish. I find the people of the Northwest to be very friendly, down to earth and easy going. I really enjoy the life style of Wilmslow and its proximity to so many amazing parts of the country. I have no plans to move from the area which I call home and where my children were born.
Are you a member of any local groups or societies?
I am not a member of any local group or society however I do network well in my immediate neighbourhood and am always ready to assist my neighbours with my DIY skills if required.
Why have you decided to stand for election as a Town Councillor?
Finding myself with time to spare and believing I could have a positive impact in the local community I decided to stand for election this year.
The Conservative team put forward in the Town Council elections are made of a very diverse group of people. Individually they are varied in their backgrounds but collectively they provide a wealth of knowledge, experience and capability. As a prospective new comer to local Town Council activities I hope to draw on their experience and knowledge and collaboratively with you the voters, identify the issues that you feel strongly about within the Town Council remit.
The World can be a rapidly changing place but I believe quality of life is very important. Sometimes it's necessary to have a place where you can just sit down and listen to the birds for 1/2 an hour, clear your mind before leaping back into the race. A Town has to cater to all aspects of todays life. I want to make sure that we preserve the natural spaces available for recreation and sport and make them inclusive. Encouraging people to use these spaces with the respect they deserve but equally taking enjoyment in return. More outdoors exercise equipment in the parks set up in a circuit would add a fun aspect to a walk in the park. Health and life style working hand in hand.
What do you consider to be the important issues facing Wilmslow?
I feel the most important issue for Wilmslow is to find ways to bring the Community together in its activities. The Artisan Markets is a great event. It utilizes the Town Centre space and allows local traders to market their goods. It also creates a pleasant social environment for people to mix and meet.
I would like to see more local events organised in a similar way particularly in the summer months. Perhaps an area designated for a regular farmers market. So we could buy local, buy fresh and cut down on transportation. Cheshire has a rich farming community and Wilmslow is no exception.
As a Town Councillor I can't come up with all the ideas, I would want to hear your suggestions from as wide a group of interests as possible. Then identify those that can be supported and taken forward using the skills of the Town Council team and all those organizations within the community willing to help out.
I know there are many creative people living in Wilmslow and I want a Town Council to encourage and develop those ideas for the benefit of all. There are many people who are struggling for a variety of reasons these days. It may well be that collectively we can help toward alleviating some of these difficulties. We won't know till we try.
What do you hope to achieve and how in the next 4 years?
Being new to this role I hope to identify a community issue, concern or project. Take that forward and come up with a tangible result which has a positive impact and provides a sustainable long term effect. I want to be flexible to changing conditions and the needs of the community. 4 years is a long time in this rapidly changing world which is hard to predict. I believe that supporting what the local community wants is far more important than me promoting a single idea of my own.
What experience and personal qualities will you bring to this role?
I am reliable, hard working and passionate about wanting to make a difference. I have many professional and life skills I can bring to this role. I am a strong team player. I have the ability to listen and empathize with people. I can communicate and articulate my thoughts well. I can be determined in the pursuit of my objective and I like to produce tangible results.
Why should Lacey Green residents vote for you?
Voting for me gives you an opportunity to make a positive impact and have your say. Your vote is the energy that drives forward change. I will represent you to the best of my ability with honesty and integrity. If you vote for me you can feel confident that I will respect your wishes first in the Wilmslow Town Council.
*Current councillor
