Hearing from the candidates - Nythe, Eldene & Liden Parish Council

Eldene Ward (3 seats)

Amir Ayub (Labour)

I am 44 years old and have a background in Youth Development.

Now that the Nythe, Eldene and Liden Parish is a reality, we hope you will give us the opportunity to make it work for you and your family, and to make sure that the services provided by the parish are improved. Labour will revisit parishing should we take control of the council.

Figures from the Department for Communities & Local Government show Swindon to have the largest percentage increase in council tax in England.  Including Parish Precept charges, Swindon residents will get an average increase of 10.35%.

Services such as street cleaning, grass cutting, play areas, parks, green spaces and woodlands and community centres have been devolved to the parish council. Services have been listed for possible future transfer including parking administration, road safety measures, nuisance abatement, recycling provisions and even street lighting! If money you already pay does not follow services you will end up paying more for less once again.

Despite a project group working on the landscape of the old Eldene shop site 'the beach', we have now heard the area might be used for housing.  Landscaping plans have stopped at the moment. We welcome the news that £20,000 is being spent on some external improvements and a refresh to the community centre.

If elected i promise to keep residents informed and to be a strong voice on the parish representing Eldene residents.

Martin Costello (UKIP)

Martin has lived in Eldene for almost 10 years and over this time he has witnessed the degeneration of the area at first-hand - this is what prompted him to get involved and personally do something about it. He has also served as a Special Constable for the Wiltshire Constabulary and is extremely passionate about social tolerance and equality for all.

Martin wants to ensure that the anti-social behaviour as seen recently around Morrision's is dealt with strongly so people are no longer intimidated when out and about in Eldene. He is also deeply concerned with rise of burglary’s in the area.

Although fully committed to his community, Martin strongly opposes the parishing system and is disgusted how it’s pushed people into poverty. He feels funding shortfalls should be made up by central government by scrapping folly’s such as HS2 and the foreign aid budget to North Korea.

He believes morally that a referendum should have been held on this issue to ask whether Swindon agrees to this. He is committed to seeing this happen given that there is no upper limit to what subsequent years tax can rise to and fears for those financially vulnerable in our community.

Let’s get the ‘Fox in the Hen-House’ and hold the Council to account!

Zachary Hawson (Conservative)

I was born in Liden and have lived in Eldene, Liden and the local area for over 16 years. I study History at King's College, London, but remain a committed full-time local resident. Protecting and supporting our local culture and heritage is something I am passionate about and I co-founded Save Swindon’s Heritage. This group has grown to over 1,290 members in just under 4 months, which shows how much Swindon people value their heritage and its preservation for generations to come.

Locally, I have long been involved in community outreach on the issues which have an everyday impact for local people. From investing in the maintenance of our precious parks and green spaces, to reducing litter and anti-social behaviour I believe our Parish Council has an important role to play in enhancing our local area.

Eldene is a lovely area which deserves the support of the local council and I would work to ensure that the needs of all local residents are heard and met and that we can foster the greater sense of community that Eldene deserves.

Oladapo Ibitoye (Conservative)

I have lived in Swindon for the last 15 years, with my wife and three children and I am proud to call the town my home. I am involved in a number of local charities and community groups; as Chairman of the Swindon West African Community Group I work to enable residents across Swindon to develop stronger community networks. I am also a committee member of i-Santa, helping to provide food for homeless and needy people across the local area.

I have a passion for education and working to ensure every child reaches their full potential, having previously managed the SWAC learning centre, a Saturday school providing support in English and Maths for less privileged children.

I will work hard to give our local area a strong voice, to tackle issues such as Parking issues, litter and anti-social behaviour while ensuring that our parks and green spaces are well maintained so residents and their families can continue to enjoy our local facilities.

Krista Salmon (Liberal Democrat)

Bazil Solomon (Labour)

I live locally and utilise the facilities in the Liden and Eldene area of Swindon. I want residents to enjoy living, and growing here. Eldene has a lot to offer for instance with wide open green spaces, medical facilities, schools, and a supermarket. My wife works at the Eldene Health Centre, and our child attends a local Swindon school.

I am very much part of the community. We need for example some projects for young people, more parking provision, to get rid of litter - Eldene residents used to do litter picks we can re-start them, and the prompt cutting of grass. Labour Councillor for Liden, Eldene and Park South Fay Howard is helping me chasing finishing off the beach area.

I am involved in some wider community initiatives. I have been a Swindon Diabetes UK committee member for many years. We try to help over 6000 diagnosed people in Swindon living with diabetes gain proper treatment.

I am a teacher at St Joseph’s Catholic College, a British Computer Society (BCS) Education Officer and a researcher at Oxford Brookes University. We are involved in helping young people gain valuable skills to acquire suitable employment.

I think as a community Eldene can work together and achieve clean streets and green areas and better kept facilities. Hopefully, my skills and experience can help in this effort of the community to better the area so we can live a high-quality life.

Liden Ward (3 seats)

David Bell (Conservative)

As a local resident, I have always gone out of my way to make a difference for the people and the area we live in. I passionately believe that everyone should have the best start in life, which is why I was a governor at the Dorcan Academy, for a number of years. I am the Chairman of a local residents association, and have made many improvements to the local area and have helped to bring the local community together and do a lot of work with the Swindon Sports Forum. With the support of our experienced local team we have a strong track record of fighting for fellow local residents in the area.

I am a retired IT Engineer, and believe I can make a positive difference as a Parish Councillor on the new Parish Council.

We will aim to strengthen links within the community and build a strong parish where every resident is important.
If elected I will focus on reducing litter and fly tipping, while consulting and delivering important local services for our community.

Adam Hunt (Labour)

Adam Hunt is a longstanding and proud Liden resident and will be standing there as a parish councillor for Liden on 4th May. You have three votes if you live in Liden for three parish councillors. Please give Adam a vote.

Parishes were forced on us by the curren administration against overwhelming public opposition.  Labour voted against them.  We were voted down. Then we voted for a year’s delay to allow time to get better value for money.  We were voted down again. Labour will revisit parishing should we take control of the council.

The future of Liden Library remains uncertain. The current administration have withdrawn funding from our local library. Adam Hunt is committed to doing everything possible to keep this valuable community asset.  Adam will work to see it supported by the parish council.  Used by all ages Liden library is a community hub. Any plans for redevelopment on the Liden Village Centre site must include our Liden library.

The current administration ended the contract for neighbourhood recycling centres and all were removed. This was earlier that even they anticipated and no notice was given. Yet another example of poor communication that sadly we have come to expect from the borough council.  We are paying the highest council tax rise in the country and getting much less for it. If elected Adam will communicate clearly with residents and speak up to ensure their voices are heard.

Robert Marchment (Local Resident)

Malcom Salmon (Liberal Democrat)

The reason politics found me was because I want a free, open and tolerant society, if elected I want to be able to work with my fellow councillors to make Liden a fabulous place to live, to engage with the parishioners always looking for a positive outcome. I have a skill set which includes people and product management, implementation of projects and problem solving. I am articulate which will enable me to speak on behalf of the people of Liden to overcome problems and bring improvements to the area. More than anything I listen from listening comes understanding, understanding brings action, with action we can make Liden the place to live.

Graham Stubbs (Local Resident)

Nythe Ward (3 seats)

Brian Cockbill (Independent)

Gerry Cruse (Labour)

Graeme Leighfield (Liberal Democrat)

At heart - I am a family man. A loving husband to my wife of 4 years Lorraine, and a father to my beautiful son of almost 2, Lucas. Having recently moved from North Swindon to our new home in Covingham - I see this as the perfect opportunity to rise up, and voice my eagerness in representing the increasing number of young and growing families in this wonderful area of Swindon.

As a parent, I understand the need for good schools, strong community spirit, and safe, clean public areas for families to enjoy precious moments with those that matter most - after a hard day, or week at work.

During the last 6 years, I have grown my own business into one of Swindons leading creative agencies. Staying true to our core values of Honesty, Integrity and Passion - has helped us grow into a large dynamic team, and become known for proving solutions that truly bring value to our clients on a day to day basis.

I am keen to see other local businesses develop and thrive. I am a firm believer that anyone who has a good idea, passion, and a willingness to work hard, can successfully run their own business. I believe that my own journey, can provide insight, advice, and potentially inspiration to others wishing to do the same.

Along side my husband, father, and work duties. I am a group leader for the Swindon Sterling Business networking meetings, and enjoy cinema, cooking, cycling, and walks with the family.

Kevin Parry (Conservative)

My track record for Nythe: 

·         Vice Chairman for Nythe Parish Council

          Proactive Borough Councillor for Nythe and the rest of the Ward

·         Former Chair of Governors for Nythe Primary School

·         Campaigned to separate Nythe form Stratton Parish Council saving over    £60 a year per household

·         Campaigned for Nythe Lake to be cleaned up

·         Organized many Green Days in Nythe (clean up action days)

·         Campaigned for many littler bins to be fitted across Nythe

·         Supported the set up of Nythe Allotments

·         Supported the Nythe Community Orchard

·         Pushed for safety crossing at Nythe School and Dorcan Way

·         Pushing the re-development of Nythe Community Centre

·         Prevented the streetlights being turned off in Nythe

 

If elected:

·         I will support Nythe separating form Liden & Eldene in the next boundary review 2018 and support Liden & Eldene becoming independent

·         I will push for Nythe to continue to have a low affordable Parish precept

·         I will ensure that the area is kept clean a tidy

·         I will run my Green Day every year

·         I will work on the long-term plan to re-develop Nythe Community Centre

·         I will continue to support the local Primary School

·         I will work on tracking the longstanding litter problem in Nythe

·         I will look to make improvements around Nythe Lake

·         I will continue to be non-political as a Parish Councillor

·         I will work on the speeding problem on Nythe Drive