News

Hearing from the candidates - Blunsdon Parish Council and St Andrews Parish Council

By Jamie Hill - 24 April 2017

Politics

St Andrews Parish (11 seats)

Colleen Bennett (Labour)

Jean Blake (Conservative)

Maura Clarke (Labour)

Susan Cole (Conservative)

Terry Custance

Hi, my name is Terry Custance and I'm standing as an Independent Parish Councillor for new the St Andrews Parish.

As a past member of the old Blunsdon & St Andrews Parish Council, I am experienced in the workings of local parishes and was proud to have been a member of such a successful team. I have also chaired the Redhouse Residents’ Association.

I feel very deeply that Parish Councils should remain independent and not politicised in any way, shape or form. The way that our Borough Council has handled the parishing subject is a lesson in how not to communicate.

My background has been in business and I have been involved in contracts similar to the type of challenges that our Parish Council will have to deal with in the future.

I live in Redhouse with my wife of 45 years and am well aware of local issues and if elected would like to represent our community on an independent basis. I am passionate about information transparency and would encourage the Parish Council to keep parishioners informed about local concerns.

Deborah Donohoe (Conservative)

Mary Friend (Conservative)

Stewart Herron

Moving to Redhouse four years ago, I found a Parish Council comprising passionate, dedicated people who gave their time freely (notably when some of our elected local representatives rarely, if ever, attended Parish meetings) to support their community. I was privileged to have been part of that effort for the last three years and want to continue to do so for the new St. Andrew’s Parish.

The re-parishing saw a strong, viable and independent council ended in what was a politically-motivated campaign characterised by misrepresentation by an element of our elected representatives who failed to convince me the needs of the Parish were first and foremost in their minds. I fear that this attitude will continue if not challenged.

Party-politics has demonstrated scant regard for the needs of our community and has no place in determining how our parish should be run. We are better served by remaining politically independent and free to challenge all levels and forms of government.

My career as a civil servant working in defence, national security and diplomacy, has provided me with a wealth of relevant experience. I supported small communities, managed large and complex budgets, oversaw maintenance contracts, delivered national infrastructure projects and built a professional reputation for independent thought. Skills which lend themselves to the challenges the new Parish will face from the outset.

We deserve representatives who transcend party-politics to put our community’s interests first: I stand for community not party and want to help St. Andrews Parish realise its full potential.

Keith Huckfield (Labour)

Ian Jankinson

Parishes not Politics! For over 10 years as a Parish Councillor I have never believed that Politics is a necessary part of true community level decision-making. As Chairman of Blunsdon St Andrew Parish Council for over 5 years, we have always agreed to keep party politics out of meetings. We have always invited SBCllrs to our meetings to work collaboratively where we can, but the help they have given has been at a community level, not influenced by which party they support.

I have skills and experience at Parish level, and have worked in major companies in training and personnel roles. I have worked in education with young adults with learning difficulties and have run my own successful business. I am also strongly involved in voluntary and community sport as Vice –Chairman of Swindon Sports Forum.

What can I bring to the new St Andrews Parish?

Well, we have already helped establish an extremely successful Community Centre, putting a heart into Redhouse and have always strongly supported the community school at Abbey Meads. We took over and upgraded local play areas and will fight for more improvement. We ensure that walkers, joggers and dog walkers can enjoy a clean and safe experience by providing over 50 dog bins. We have organised community litter-picks liaising with the Youth Offenders team to clear large areas of rubbish. I will persist in that process.

I am passionate about supporting my local community and will happily continue to commit my time and enthusiasm.

Paul Keevans (Conservative)

Katharine Law (Liberal Democrat)

Phillip Lewis (Conservative)

Alexander Marasco (Labour)

I believe that every council should value and therefore have diversity. As one of the youngest candidates across the borough, as well as being the only candidate that lives in Tadpole Garden Village, I can provide that. I previously served on Blunsdon St Andrew Parish Council, which incidentally was one of the most cost efficient Parish Councils in the Borough but has now been pushed aside by the Swindon Borough Council's Community Governance Review.

I would represent the community effectively and champion the vibrant area. I am seeking to keep future precept rises to a minimum. I would also look to create activities or clubs in the local area, such as boxing sessions that would help to keep youngsters in a safe and disciplined environment whilst learning and developing.

Although I do regret that party politics has come in to this parish council election, as a proud member of the Labour party I felt it would be wrong to conceal my party membership. The Labour Party in St Andrews has only fielded a certain number of candidates to ensure there are enough seats for all independents standing.

The Conservative Party in St Andrews has fielded a full slate of candidates, leaving no room for independents. Help prevent a one party Parish and vote Labour and Independent in the upcoming Parish Council Elections.

Jason Mills (Labour)

Timothy Owen (Conservative)

Derek Ricketts (Current Blunsdon St Andrews Parish Councillor)

John Stooke (Independent Against Party Politics in Parishes)

As a Haydon Wick Parish Councillor, I have a long track record of successful action including:

1) Organising and leading regular teams of volunteer litter pickers throughout the Parish

2) Arguing successfully for a phased roll out of many more litter and dog bins

3) Ensuring graffiti is cleaned in first 24 hours

4) Ensuring fly tipping is removed within 24 hours.

5) Getting rid of estate agents advertising boards on trees, lampposts and street nameplates

6) Creating and leading publicity campaigns on litter and dog waste

7) Leading the organisation of the “Community Fun Day” in Redhouse (couldn’t sort the weather last year!)

8) Regularly walking/cycling the Parish to report vandalism and play park safety issues

9) And of course throughout… actively pursuing individual residents problems

What has transpired in St Andrews Parish is unjust. A good, dedicated and economically prudent Parish Council was deliberately destroyed …many have argued for personal reasons. Today 11 Conservative candidates, seek to be shoehorned into all 11 places on the new Council, arguably creating almost some kind of Party Political fiefdom? Politically Independent and Against Party Politics in Parishes, I’m asking for your vote on 4^th May. I have of course resigned from Haydon Wick Council as unlike some Borough Councillors I can give 110% to only one Council. If I can use my lengthy experience to support the new Council, then I promise to play a full part. If you’d like to discuss any pressing matters … do call me- 07836 609369.

Gunther Strait (Labour)

Vera Tomlinson (Conservative)

Vince Williams (Conservative)

Kevin Woods (Conservative)

Melanie Woods (Conservative)