ELECTIONS in Coaley and Uley have distinct similarities to last year with two of the three candidates standing again in May.

Just 27 votes separated Jim Dewey of the Green Party (384) from the Conservative Party’s Tim Boxall (411) with a turnout of more than 50 per cent at elections for the ward in 2014.

This year, Brendan Skelton is representing the Labour Party in the ward and will be looking to improve on the 186 votes secured by Labour in last year’s election.

The Coaley and Uley ward is unaffected by changes made to the district’s ward boundaries last year.

Gazette Series:

Tim Boxall - Conservative

I work and live in the Uley area.

I have been the local Conservative councillor for the last four years, in this time I have done my best to respond to every enquiry I've had within a reasonable time frame, with most of these enquiries ending with a positive action.

My main focus is keeping the community linked with a voice to Stroud District Council.

I'm passionate about keeping the village schools running and promoting new businesses in the local area.

Gazette Series:

Jim Dewey - Green Party

Over the past 30 years I have lived in Uley with my family and I have always valued village life.

My involvement has been very varied but includes having been chairman of the local school PTA, coaching the Under-13s cricket team and recently singing in the choir.

Although most of my working life has been in the information technology industry, I graduated as a geography and geology teacher.

This knowledge has made me very aware of detrimental practices to our environment.

As your Councillor, I would work to:

  • Support local services and village amenities - shops, halls,  pubs , schools, playing fields, open spaces and buses.
  • Campaign against planning decisions which are damaging to our lives.
  • Reduce Carbon Emissions by helping people to insulate their homes to reduce the use of fossil fuels and thereby cutting costs to the user.
  • Promote the use of solar technologies to tackle climate change.

Gazette Series:

Brendan Skelton - Labour

I live in Dursley with my partner, Kathie. I’ve grown to know the area through my love of walking, sketching and talking with local people.

My background is in building, teaching and local government, now retired. I’m keen to improve transport connections and infrastructure so local people find it easier getting to work and leisure activities.

Defending our NHS services from further privatisation is important to me.

I’d like see more jobs here (full time, with decent wages).

I would work with parish councils and communities to keep shops, schools, pubs and village halls open - seeking new ways to deliver services rural areas depend upon.