An interview with Matthew Lloyd

Local residents should now have received their poll cards for the Alderley Ward by-election which will be held on Thursday, September 30th.

As reported last week, there are only two candidates: The Conservative Party candidate Matthew Lloyd who lives in Talbot Road, Alderley Edge, and the Liberal Democrat candidate Oliver Romain from Hawthorn Grove in Wilmslow.

I caught up with both candidates recently to find out more about who they are, why they decided to stand for election and what they consider to be the key issues affecting local residents.

I put the same questions forward to both candidates, below are the answers from Conservative Matthew Lloyd (pictured above centre, with Councillors Frank Keegan and Carolyn Andrew) and I will shortly be publishing the response from Liberal Democrat Oliver Romain.

If you have any questions you wish to ask either, or both, candidates please use the comment box below. Matthew and Oliver are both members of wilmslow.co.uk and I am sure they will answer questions as and when they can.

Why did you decide to stand for election as a Borough Councillor for the Alderley Ward?

I want to be able to use my time, skills and experience to enhance the area in which we live to the benefit of all its residents. As a member of Alderley Edge Parish Council I work with my fellow parish councillors dealing with residents concerns and strive to enhance the local community. As a Borough Councillor I would have a greater opportunity to 'make a difference', across a wider range of council services.

Further, as a member of the Council I would be able to contribute to the debate throughout East Cheshire on how best to deliver council services cost-effectively and with maximum benefit to all the residents. In the current environment of pressured budgets, this is an important issue for tax-payers who cannot afford higher council tax bills at what is a difficult time for so many families.

Why do you feel you are qualified to take on this role?

I have experience of both business and council work, and as a local resident I live with the same day to day issues that concern the other residents of Alderley.

In business I manage a technology company and the skills this requires are particularly relevant in the current economic climate. With budgets stretched the council must be creative in the way it delivers services to ensure that the necessary cost savings don't hurt front-line council services.

As a member of a parish council I have already built relationships with a number of the key council officers responsible for delivering local services in the Alderley division, and excellent relationships with the other two borough councillors representing the Alderley division (Cllr Keegan and Cllr Andrew). These existing relationships would prove invaluable in fighting for the best interests of all the residents.

My wife and I have lived in the division for over ten years and have a son who attends a local school. I therefore appreciate the day to day issues that affect local residents throughout Alderley, such as parking, inappropriate and badly enforced development (including the threatened development by Dobbies in Nether Alderley), and of course the bypass and the need for a comprehensive package of measures to ensure its promised benefits are fully realised.

Finally, not only is my candidacy supported by the two existing Borough councillors but also George Osborn MP (Tatton) and David Rutley MP (Macclesfield), the two MPs whose constituencies overlay the Alderley division. Again, their support would help me represent the needs of the residents should an issue require the assistance of the constituency MP.

What do you consider to be the five biggest concerns for local residents and how do you intend to address these?

The bypass will have an impact throughout Alderley, and I am already working with my fellow parish councillors and Cheshire East officers to ensure that the appropriate measures are taken to encourage the bulk of through-traffic to use the bypass in preference to London Road in Alderley Edge.

A concern that resonates throughout the Alderley division is that of excessive or inappropriate development. I believe that planning applications are too readily granted in many cases, despite the scrutiny of such plans by the parish councils and borough councillors. Not only must all sensitive applications be properly appraised, but planning conditions often attached to planning consent must be more effectively enforced.

Of course, related to the bypass is the proposed development by Dobbies at the southern roundabout of the new road. I am a strong supporter of the "Stop Dobbies" campaign and think such a development would set a dangerous precedent for other potential ribbon development along the bypass. I will continue to oppose this scheme.

Another concern for the residents of parishes such as Lower Withington and Siddington is the spectre of inappropriate affordable housing schemes which have been proposed for communities that patently lack the infrastructure to support such developments. The building of new houses throughout the country is of paramount importance, but clearly it makes no sense to place these schemes where they lack the public transport services, shops, and post offices that young families rely on.

Finally, within Alderley Edge, residents are concerned that the number of bars and restaurants is excessive. This is a complicated problem (nobody wants shop units left empty), but it was noted in the Local Plan produced in 2004 by Macclesfield Borough Council that the "amount of non retail uses in the shopping area is already high" and that "further concentrations of Class A2 and A3 use (bars and restaurants) would detract from the character and vitality of this area". The situation has clearly deteriorated since 2004 and I would work to ensure these existing planning guidelines are adhered to when the council is considering applications for further licensed premises in the village.

Will the recently published Parish Plan make a difference to Alderley Edge?

Yes. The Parish Plan serves a useful purpose as a clear record of the priorities and concerns of the residents of Alderley Edge. As such, the plan should inform decisions made by both the parish and Cheshire East councils.

However, there are two future requirements for the Parish Plan if it is to maximise its benefits the community. Firstly, success in realising many of the projects identified in the plan will only be assured by the ongoing hard work of community-spirited volunteers. Secondly, the plan must be followed by the production of a Village Design Statement. This can be adopted by Cheshire East Council as a Supplementary Planning Document which would include specific guidelines that must be taken into consideration by the Council's planning officers when deciding local planning applications.

Will a Town Council make a difference to Wilmslow?

Absolutely. With small communities such as Styal keen to establish parish councils it was clearly anomalous that a town the size of Wilmslow has had, since the abolition of the district council in 1974, no single voice. The Town Council will be able to argue Wilmlsow's causes with clarity, representing both the residents and businesses of this vibrant residential and commercial centre. Additionally, the democratic election of Wilmslow town councillors will offer residents more advocates to represent those with problems with which they need help.

The position you are standing for will only exist until May next year when the local elections take place. As part of the Boundary Commission Review a single member ward is being recommended in Alderley Edge, with the same boundaries as Alderley Edge parish. Frank Keegan has already told alderleyedge.com "I will offer myself for selection as a candidate in the 2011 elections for Alderley Edge." What are you intentions for the 2011 elections?

Do you intend to stand against Frank Keegan as a candidate for the Alderley Edge single member ward or maybe put yourself forward as a candidate for a neighbouring ward?

The selection of Conservative Party candidates is a matter for the internal democratic processes of the Conservative Party. This process will take place over the next few months and I'll let you know how they are proceeding. (However, we don't yet know for sure what the boundaries will be).

Click here to read our interview with Oliver Romain.

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By-election