Stroud District Council elections: Dursley ward

Current councillors Doina Cornell and Colin Fryer will be hoping party colleague Alison Hayward will be elected to fill the shoes of Geoff Wheeler, the leader of the councillor who is not re-standing for election.

Brian Marsh of the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party’s Miriam Yagud with the three Conservative candidates, Patricia Betteley, Andrea Sheffield and Loraine Patrick will also be hoping to win election.

Neither Patricia Betteley nor Miriam Yagud could provide information to the Gazette.

Doina Cornell - Labour

I’ve lived and worked in Dursley for 16 years, raising my kids here, running a business with my parents.

As your councillor, I’ve helped bring investment, jobs and new council housing via the Littlecombe regeneration and Dursley pool extension.

I worked with residents and the town council against unwanted housing and I played a part in bringing back youth services to Dursley. 

If re-elected I’ll continue to work on issues that affect local people, from parking to playgrounds.

I will continue to work to find solutions for issues that most affect local people – this is my number one priority.

Colin Fryer - Labour

Colin has lived in Dursley all his life, working at Listers as a maintenance fitter for 38 years, and  senior shop steward for most of that time.

He believes we need to focus on getting jobs coming into the area or see the town dwindle into a dormitory town.

We’re also threatened with large, inappropriate housing development.

As district councillor, Colin has been part of a Labour-led Council, creating create local jobs and apprenticeships, building new council houses, helping people affected by the cost of living crisis.

Alison Hayward - Labour

I have lived in Cam for more than a decade with my partner and two children.

I have worked in IT for various local companies and for the last two years I have been working for the NHS.

When my children were younger I was a committee member for both a local play group and out of school club.

I play and coach for Dursley rugby club.

I have a long standing interest in national and local politics, and if elected would look forward to representing the interests of local people.

Brian Marsh - Liberal Democrat

I am appalled that the current Conservative group have not only apposed the development of the swimming pool fitness suite but have called the expenditure 'bizarre'.

I am resolute that Dursley should gain a fair share from the income Stroud District Council has received from the Sainsbury's development.

I am determined to improve the car parking facilities in Dursley so that we can encourage business and assist in the creation of more jobs, the failure of the current Labour councillors to address this press issue is a disgrace.

Loraine Patrick - Conservative

I've lived in Dursley for 23 years, I'm passionate about our town and countryside.

Our town centre desperately needs regeneration, more parking, our green spaces and settlement boundary need protection from unnecessary development, and our street cleaning needs to be improved.

We will work together to make our town a safer, cleaner, better place to live.

Andrea Sheffield - Conservative

I have lived in Dursley for 45 years, I studied at Rednock School and then at Hartpury College where I studied equine husbandry.

I have always worked locally, initially within the retail sector, I now work successfully as a business sales account manager.

I am passionate about the town of Dursley and it’s surrounding countryside, I am keen to see the regeneration of the town whilst ensuring that we protect and preserve our green spaces, keeping areas accessible, safe and clean for all to enjoy.