Wilmslow Town Council Election 2023: Candidate Elaine Evans

The candidates for the upcoming Wilmslow Town Council election, representing 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 am publishing 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 retired, though I work one day a week for an NHS organisation that helps to identify and introduce innovative technology into the NHS to address unmet needs, and I'm an advisor to a small diagnostics company.

I enjoy spending time outdoors, whether running, walking or climbing, or pottering in my garden. I live in Styal Road. None of my family live in Cheshire but I'm always happy when they come to stay, so I can show off the local area to them.

How long you have lived in there?

I moved to Wilmslow a little over 6 years ago, having spent most of my working life in the South. I discovered Wilmslow during business-related visits to Alderley Park, and felt it was the perfect place to retire, being halfway between my family connections in the Lake District and my grown-up kids in London.

I love living here – not just with everything the town centre has to offer, but with the Peak District so close by for walking and climbing. I was impressed to learn that Wilmslow's local area has the greatest biodiversity in all of East Cheshire, which is something to value and to cherish for future generations living here.

Are you a member of any local groups or societies?

I'm in the Tree and Woodland Group at Transition Wilmslow, where so far, I've helped plant trees near Wilmslow High School and on the edge of Lindow Moss, pruned fruit trees in Meriton Park in Handforth, and supported 'Tree ID' walks within the town. I belong to the Alpine Garden Society, a local choir, and I've been taking Italian language classes.

Why have you decided to stand for election as a town councillor?

Having taken early retirement last year, I now have time to give something back to the community in my new home. I've been a councillor before, in Hampshire, where I was involved in projects to improve local parks and recreational facilities, and in the fight to scale back housing developments in green spaces between local towns.

What do you consider to be the important issues facing Wilmslow?

The most frequently raised issues I've heard have concerned cars parking inconsiderately, or speeding, making it dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as sometimes blocking access for local residents. There are also concerns about street trees being cut down and not replaced. Many of the local street trees were planted around the same time, so if they are not replaced, some of Wilmslow's streets will have no trees left within 20 years.

What do you hope to achieve and how in the next 4 years?

I will work with other councillors and local community groups and businesses to find ways to improve signage and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists, particularly for safe routes to schools. I will support improvements to public transport which will not only benefit those without cars, but also make it easier for people with cars to use them less. I will support residents who want Wilmslow's streets to continue to be green, with the right kinds of trees in the right places, and with green spaces that can be enjoyed by the old, the young, and everyone in between.

What experience and personal qualities will you bring to the role?

I have prior experience as a local councillor. I have professional experience of supporting innovative healthcare businesses, both large and small, in relation to accessing grant-funding and identifying the best location to set up new premises. I've worked in both the public and private sectors, including running a small business. My career has been entirely in healthcare and life sciences, mainly in pharmaceuticals and medical technology.

Why should Lacey Green residents vote for you?

I live in Lacey Green, and I'm aware of the issues encountered walking or cycling around the area, with cars parking where they shouldn't, and the limitations of local public transport. When I moved to the area, I've had to find out for myself how to get around and what the town has to offer, which means I don't take for granted what services or support are available.

Having lived in other places means that I'm aware of how things might be done differently. Standing with Residents of Wilmslow, I'm focussed on what matters to people locally, without any alignment to national political parties.