Stroud District Council elections: Berkeley Vale ward

It is now, geographically, the largest ward in the district and will elect three councillors next week.

It is set to be one of the most hotly-contested in the Stroud district with four current councillors (Liz Ashton and Gordon Craig, Berkeley, Penny Wride, Vale, and Haydn Jones, Severn) standing alongside six other candidates in a bid to join the council.

Penny Wride and Haydn Jones both won by healthy margins when last elected (375 votes in 2014 and 413 in 2012 respectively) whilst voting was much closer in the former Berkeley ward with Liz Ashton being elected by 133 votes in 2012 and Gordon Craig by 213 last year.

The candidates:

Liz Ashton - Labour

Liz Ashton was born and bred in Berkeley, educated at Sharpness primary and Dursley grammar schools before becoming a chemist.

After ten years in Africa with her husband and three children, she returned to Berkeley, retraining as a special needs teacher, working at Gloscat and The Shrubberies School.

Liz has been a district councillor for the Berkeley ward for four years, working on the planning and environment committees.

She’s an active campaigner for her local communities setting up the Berkeley Credit Union and Dursley and District U3A.

In any spare time, Liz loves to spend time with her three little grandsons.

Gordon Craig - Conservative

I’ve been District Councillor for the Berkeley ward for 6 years and I’m even more passionate about my local area now than when I started, possibly because I’ve experienced the pleasure I get every time I make a real difference.

I believe that everyone needs encouragement to achieve what they can in life and those who struggle need support.                                                                           

I’m pleased to have been on the housing committee that just this month brought four new council houses to Fishers Road, Berkeley. The first new council houses for decades.

I’m pleased to have instigated and championed grant awards for local organisations!

I’m pleased to have been involved with Penny Wride in the new Berkeley Green College which is opening in September and will be a game changer for our area.

Gordon works as:

• Trustee Gloucester Harbour Board – Tonnage into Sharpness dock increased year over year
• An organiser of Berkeley Festival s – Major  annual community events
• Fundraiser for community library – New Library being built soon
• Stakeholder in Berkeley Green College project – College opening in September

I’m especially pleased when I can help and support individual people in need.

Nick Easby - Liberal Democrat

• I strongly support the formation of Berkeley Green technical college and will work to ensure that our local services are ready for it and will make sure training is available for local people to take advantage of the new job opportunities.
• I will work hard to support the proposals for improving Berkeley town centre.  We would like to see the plans include proposals to integrate with High Street, Jenner Museum and St Mary’s Church.
• On planning decisions we will support the views of all residents, not just predatory developers or vociferous pressure groups with vested interests.
• I will try to find acceptable alternative routes for heavy farm vehicles which are a hazard in the town and are damaging the foundations of ancient buildings in High Street and Canonbury Street.
• I will campaign to bring back the green sacks for garden rubbish as an optional alternative to the brown wheelie bins.

Billy Hunt - Labour

I have lived in the Berkeley area all my life, having lived in Sharpness and attending Sharpness Primary School and now living in Berkeley – I work in the area as a Postman.

Parking, potholes and transport are in need of a major review. 

Housing is of course a major issue and we need a balance of building new homes and protecting the beautiful area we live in.

If elected I would work hard for all the community, it’s an exciting time for our area and I would strive to make sure the benefits are felt by the many and not just the few.

Rob Jewell - Liberal Democrat

• I will encourage rural public and community transport provision whilst ensuring all new developments have adequate car parking.
• I strongly support the development of Berkeley Green technical college to serve the whole community.
• I will aim to represent all residents not just one party or pressure group.

Haydn Jones - Conservative

The Berkeley Vale is a unique place to live and work.

I know residents value their unspoilt rural landscape and thriving communities. I live here and share this love of our area.

I want to help protect it and our heritage whilst accomodating affordable homes for young people.

It is essential that the council develops its local plan with these priority aims.

Helping people shape their community by devolving power is key to our future.

Local government should provide support where required, to allow people the freedom to manage their own affairs.

A relentless focus on how constituents money is spent must underpin every council activity.

I want to secure a council that helps residents whilst restoring its finances.

First class infrastructure is vital to allow our area to prosper.

Current roads are simply unacceptable. I will work with our MP to ensure that The Berkeley Vale benefits from recent announcements of substantial funding for improvements.

Superfast Broadband and the new Berkeley Green College also offer tremendous opportunies that will benefit the wider community.

I will use skills I have developed in business and industry, together with my role in local voluntary organisations, to help represent residents interests.

I  will strive to maintain Berkeley Vale Ward as a living, working, community without sacrificing the outstanding heritage and environment that makes it so attractive.

George Knight - Labour

George has lived in the Berkeley and Sharpness area since he was four.

He was educated locally at Sharpness Primary School and has worked nearby at Cattle Country Adventure Park since leaving school. 

In his spare time he is studying for an Open University degree and enjoys playing skittles, badminton and snooker. 

He has always taken a keen interest in politics both local and national and has been a member of the Labour Party for a number of years.

I would put our local communities and local residents above party politics – we need to improve our roads, protect our NHS and provide good quality transport.

Mike Stayte - Liberal Democrat

• I  would support the recent local plan and use it to limit local development to infill only. Cambridge has been particularly over developed in recent years. 
• I would want to see the District Council be less Stroud oriented and would like to see more involvement of the local Town and Parish Councils and a better relationship between the Development Control Committee and local Councils. It is generally perceived that “what the District wants, the District gets”. 
• I would campaign for a reduction in the speed limit of the A38 in the Cambridge and Gossington area. This would allow local communities to “tidy up” the Slimbridge roundabout to make an inviting gateway to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.

Tom Willetts - Green Party

Tom works as a teacher of children with special educational needs, and moved to Berkeley Vale two years ago.

Having grown up in a small town in Dorset, I moved here to once again become involved in a rural community.

I am pleased to have the opportunity to offer my support to efforts to strengthen local communities and support local people’s access to services and sustainable employment.

I believe it is important to protect the beautiful countryside we live in, and to support local people in voicing their views on changes and developments in the locality allowing them to express their ideas and concerns.

Penny Wride - Conservative

I am very proud to have represented the Vale Ward for 6 years and served as a parish councillor for nearly 20 years.

I am a trustee of Stroud & Cotswold Citizens Advice Bureau and chairman of Berkeley Nuclear Site stake holder group.

I was an original member of Energy Severn Vale which was formed over five years ago to address the skills shortages in engineering and the nuclear industry.

I have fully supported the new college which will soon be opened on the old Berkeley Centre Site. This will be a great addition to the educational system in Gloucestershire.

Berkeley Vale Ward has a great deal to offer as a place to live and work.

All new housing needs to be planned with care to ensure that the infrastructure is suitable for the expanding needs of the rural community.

Working from home requires a fast and reliable broadband service. 

Current transport links need to be improved.

We have a wonderful environment to attract tourists to the area and this should be promoted.