The candidates for the upcoming Cheshire East Council (CEC) & Wilmslow Town Council (WTC) Elections, representing the Wilmslow Dean Row Ward have been announced. Jack Illingworth has decided to stand for election to both.
Residents in the Wilmslow Dean Row Ward will have the choice of three candidates to fill one seat on CEC and six candidates to fill four seats on WTC when they go to the polls on on Thursday, 4th May.
The candidates standing to represent Wilmslow Dean Row Ward on CEC are:
- Illingworth, Jack Richard - The Conservative Party Candidate
- Anderson, Lata - Residents of Wilmslow *
- Walker, Olivia - Liberal Democrats
The candidates standing to represent Wilmslow Dean Row on WTC are:
- Lata Anderson * - Residents of Wilmslow
- Dion Cross - Residents of Wilmslow
- Jack Illingworth * - Local Conservatives
- Ellie Jackson - Residents of Wilmslow
- Jon Newell * - Residents of Wilmslow
- Angela Smethurst - Local Conservatives
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'm a shareholder in an IT recruitment business. I live in Wilmslow with my wife and our son who has just turned one. I was co-opted onto the council last year when the previous councillor stood down. My first real memory of Wilmslow was going to Starbucks with my Dad and David Beckham and saying hello to him. I at that point thought my Dad was best friends with David Beckham. Starting my love of getting coffee in Wilmslow often at weekends you can find me in one of our amazing local coffee shops with my son.
How long you have lived in there?
I've lived in Wilmslow for the last 10 years, I grew up in Cheadle so have always been local. My wife has lived here her whole life she went to Gorsey Bank then the high school and her whole family live in Wilmslow. The family moved here during the reign of George the Third so wasn't much chance of us living anywhere else!
Are you a member of any local groups or societies?
I'd hope it is obvious given I'm standing for the Conservatives but I'm a member of the Tatton Conservatives Association. Also, I'm very active in the Wilmslow conservative group.
Why have you decided to re-stand for election as a town councillor?
I wanted to stand again as in the year I've been on the town council, I've been able to achieve some things I feel have benefitted the community. Getting the gritting route back around Lacey Green Academy. Also pushing for clearer guidelines on grants. Which hopefully will make it clearer and simpler what groups can apply for and under what circumstances. I've found it enjoyable and fascinating, on the finance committee seeing so many amazing local groups, the work that they do in Wilmslow to help our town is extraordinary. We should be proud to have them working in our community.
While on the Community and Order Committee have been involved in the amazing events we have such as the jubilee, cinema on the Carrs and the Christmas light switch on. I'm keen to continue that work delivering these events and this support, which only the town council can deliver in a financially responsible manner.
Why have you decided to stand for election as a borough councillor?
I have chosen to stand as a borough councillor as we need to make sure Dean Row is getting its fair share of Cheshire East spending. We have to make sure that Cheshire East and the town council are working hand in hand not trying to move Cheshire East spending to the Town Council. Also making the planning system work for residents and making sure that we get the infrastructures to support the significant number of additional houses that have been built.
What do you consider to be the important issues facing Wilmslow?
I think we have several pressing issues, parking has been ongoing for as long as I can remember and sadly the parking review that was conducted was shelved, when it was re-looked at Covid had temporarily affected the number of vehicles coming into the town that needs to be re-examined again.
In Dean Row I think we have not had a fair share of spending and we need to make sure we are making the case for fair spending. I think the state of the roads is a clear example of this which I think when compared with Alderley Edge shows a clear disparity in investment. Given my support of "20 is plenty" hopefully we can look at using that like they have to fix the roads as they have.
What do you hope to achieve and how in the next 4 years?
I want to deliver great services locally, with a focus on making sure we are using residents' money efficiently. I want to scrap the green bin tax and reverse the decision to reduce library hours.
Implement "20 is plenty", on residential roads where residents support it.
Also supporting the Town Council's move to the library and looking to use that to deliver on the aspiration in the neighbourhood plan to deliver create a true community hub.
What experience and personal qualities will you bring to the role?
Having a young family I'm keenly aware of the issues on some of our roads. Of having fantastic green spaces for us all to enjoy.
Being a shareholder in a small business I know the difficulties businesses are facing at the moment and working to help them. I also have a degree in accounting and finance so have a focus on the fiscal state of both councils
Why should Dean Row ward residents vote for you?
I will work hard for them. I will be available to them. I will be accountable to them.
I have never missed a meeting or committee meeting since joining the town council which hopefully is a simple but clear sign of my commitment to work for residents.
*current councillor.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
It may seem petty but my theory is that you are all ashamed and embarrassed with the national party.
In calling yourselves Local Conservative you are trying to hoodwink people. Most people will see through this charade and are sick of being treated as fools.
People are crying out for honesty and decency and they've had neither from the main political parties.
It’s is one of the official names of the Conservative Party with the electoral commission. Given I’m also running in the Cheshire East election as The Conservative Party Candidate.
I know the people of Dean Row will be certain who I’m standing for. With the volume of literature I’ve delivered and the number of doors I’ve knocked on. I know they are aware who I’m standing for. Sorry you are so sceptical of someone trying to get involved in helping out the community. Hope you have a nice evening and that answers you question.
Thank you,
Jack
The Conservative Party Candidate.
It’s is one of the official names of the Conservative Party with the electoral commission. Given I’m also running in the Cheshire East election as The Conservative Party Candidate.
I know the people of Dean Row will be certain who I’m standing for. With the volume of literature I’ve delivered and the number of doors I’ve knocked on. I know they are aware who I’m standing for. Sorry you are so sceptical of someone trying to get involved in helping out the community. Hope you have a nice evening and that answers you question.
Thank you,
Jack
The Conservative Party Candidate.
I too give up my time in our local community.
I don't claim expenses or get an allowance for doing this.
I do it because I want to help improve people's lives and help to keep this lovely area nice.
Of course people will make their own minds up on Thursday.
Most people I've spoken to are fed up to the back teeth of mainstream political parties and at a local level are looking for candidates who put people ahead of party politics. A lot more can be achieved in this way and people are coming round to this view, certainly at a local level.