May 3rd 2012 is an opportunity to bring change to Stroud District Council. Electing Green Councillors is a positive way of saying enough is enough with the 3 Westminster Parties, by voting out their local representatives. Conservatives nationally have brought us a phoney localism that fails to deliver power to communities and locally Core Strategy nightmares, on waste treatment at County Council and housing at Distric Council. Lib Dems & Labour made no submission to the examination in public of the County Waste Core Strategy. Lib Dems did a deal on housing & Labour can't tell us where the housing should go. They have all in their own way done their bit to toward the privatisation of the NHS.
So here are our candidates in ward order & their statements. We urge you to support them on May 3rd.
Amberley & Woodchester: Uta Baldauf
Cainscross: Oliver Kirkham
Chalford: Richard Dean
Coaley & Uley: Amanda Griffiths
Eastington & Standish: Gerald Hartley
Hardwick: Sally Pickering
Minchinhampton: John Williams
Nailsworth: Catherine Farrell
Painswick: Graham Spencer
Rodborough: Phil Blomberg
Severn: Sue Hartley
Stonehouse: Clare Sheridan
The Stanleys: Nicola Hillary
Upton St Leonards: Peter Adams
Our candidates' statements follow:
Amberley and Woodchester, Uta Baldauf:
"As a relative newcomer I feel particularly honoured to stand as
candidate for Amberley and Woodchester. Having lived in Woodchester
for three years and for over 10 years in the district, I feel a strong
connection with the whole of the Stroud area that is now my home.
I believe that if you value something the best way of showing your
appreciation is to take responsibility and to give something back. To
me the Green philosophy is about taking responsibility, positive
action and at looking at viable ways of making our lives sustainable
and nurturing our community.
I believe the success of society cannot be measured by narrow economic
indicators, but includes the quality of life for all people, fairness,
health and happiness on a healthy planet. If elected, I will work with
the other Green councillors on Stroud District Council to promote
sustainable development, jobs and services for Amberley and
Woodchester."
Cainscross, Oliver Kirkham:
"As your Green Party candidate and a Cainscross resident, I feel
strongly about local issues and wish to properly represent my
neighbours in the ward. My background includes planning and
development, waste policy, energy and environmental impact
assessments.
Other political parties have marginalised environmental issues as the
economic situation has deteriorated; I believe they should be at the
forefront of all decisions. A healthy economy is not about buying more
with borrowed money. It is about investing in a more equal society,
living within our environmental limits and creating a future fit for
all our children.
Cainscross has been let down and neglected in recent years and I will
work to rectify this situation. I am horrified that Tricorn House is
now to be used a home for the elderly: the location is totally
inappropriate and the opportunity to rebuild has been thrown away. On
the plus side, we have a wonderful amenity being revitalised at The
Lawns."
Chalford, Richard Dean:
"I have lived in Chalford for nine years and work as a local GP. I am
delighted to have been reselected as the Green candidate for the ward.
Tackling climate change is one of my priorities. I was involved in
setting up the Chalford energy group, which arose from a large parish
council meeting on reducing Chalford's CO2 emissions.
The group has been meeting regularly and has three main sub-groups:
one looking at macro projects such as water, wind and large-scale
solar (with which I am primarily involved), another at small-scale
projects and finally one at energy conservation.
I have also been meeting with local groups who have set up co-ops
involving wood-burning boliers using locally sourced wood to increase
biodiversity. The plan is to have these projects owned by the
commmunity to raise money for our needs, and also to help fund
insulation costs. If elected, I could take these projects much
futher."
Coaley and Uley, Amanda Griffith:
"I have lived in Uley for 14 years, having two children in local
schools. I work in further education as a teacher with different
groups, including offenders and young people with learning
difficulties. I believe strongly in an inclusive society.
As your councillor I would work to keep local services open as our
villages need buses, shops, schools and playgroups. I would work to
support Prema Arts Centre. I would do my best to ensure young people
are given a voice and their views are taken seriously, and I would
campaign against planning decisions that are damaging to the
environment.
Here is a recommendation from Janet Wood, district councillor from
1983 to 2010, that I would like to share with you: 'Amanda is an
independent-thinking young woman. She would be a conscientious and
sympathetic councillor.' I would consider it an honour to represent
Coaley and Uley if elected in May."
Eastington and Standish, Gerald Hartley:
"Conservative-led government at all levels is damaging our district.
The 'vote blue, get green' election pledge has been revealed as a ploy
to steal the Green vote.
The Conservative county council's 2008 outline business case for a
mass-burn incinerator has evidenced that it will not deliver the
promised savings. It will be an environmental disaster. I have worked
non-stop to oppose it.
Stroud District Tories have a housing problem, but no strategy, just a
numbers game. The proposed "west of Stonehouse" site brings no
benefits to either Stonehouse or Eastington. A recently adopted
Conservative candidate will be in a poor position to oppose his own
party's plans. At council, Tories vote en bloc.
Labour, who falsely claim the Green Party support this plan, voted for
Brookthorpe's green fields to become a motorway service area.
Greens seek economic, social and environmental justice for all. Your
vote will help us with that task."
Hardwicke, Sally Pickering:
"I’m standing for election so that, rather than more grey politicians
with little to choose between them, voters in Hardwicke can opt for a
vision of a sustainable and just future. If elected, my priorities
would be: to fight proposals for a waste incinerator at Javelin Park
in favour of green alternatives that are cheaper, safer and benefit
local people; to push the council to agree principles regarding what
kind of future communities it wants, which can then be used to inform
where new housing should be allocated; to encourage local economic
development.
I have worked in Community Development for 25 years and currently lead
a charity working to strengthen voluntary and community action
throughout Gloucestershire. I am passionate about challenging
injustice and inequality and believe the Council should support
communities to build stronger and sustainable futures for themselves.
I live in Stonehouse and have two teenaged children at Downfield Sixth Form."
Minchinhampton, John Williams:
"As a long-standing Minchinhampton family resident and parish
councillor, I have actively contributed to and taken a leading and
diverse role in many local projects, both on the council and in the
community, addressing local issues, and enthusiastically supporting
local traders and the many local events we have.
I am passionate about maintaining and improving the sustainability of
our communities, and actively support the continued presence of public
facilities within the community. If elected as your district
councillor, I will promote the sustainable development of local jobs,
services and public transport schemes that benefit our district
directly in the face of attacks from central government.
I believe that with my experience of serving the community I can
continue to make a difference by being available to local people,
responding to your concerns and representing you to the best of my
ability, with the time and dedication necessary."
Nailsworth, Catherine Farrell:
"Nailsworth is famously friendly and has a great spirit. The recent
cuts to public services require a fresh economic and environmental
approach, including more small and nearby workplaces, to reduce
commuting and improve our quality of life as well as retaining more
money to spend within our community.
I am vigilant in protecting our local bus services, and will push to
improve our cycle path to Stroud. I support the efforts of those
involved in preserving our NHS facilities, library and youth club, in
revitalising the Bell and Castle and village shop in Horsley.
I am working to ensure we get affordable and energy efficient houses
in the places we really need them. Careful consideration must be given
to the impact on the community, including possible changes to the bus
station.
I continue to be involved in the newly developed and more effective
‘multi-agency approach’ to tackling anti-social behaviour and crime."
Painswick, Graham Spencer:
"I am a new resident of Painswick and, indeed, new to the Green Party.
While I cannot offer extensive local knowledge, I do have a strong
conviction that the protection of our environment and communities
should be our highest political priorities. I believe that the Green
Party provides the best way to achieve those aims in a way that is
just and fair.
Greens advocate a joined-up approach to planning, including support
for local businesses to create jobs near where we live, affordable
energy-efficient housing near public transport, schools and shops,
protection of our green spaces and better integration of wildlife
areas and allotments into new developments.
I worked for 25 years in local government, managing and developing
social housing, and services for homeless people. After retiring from
local government I was a tutor in adult education. My interests
include philosophy, history, and walking and I recently completed a
doctorate in American politics."
Rodborough, Phil Blomberg:
"As chair of Rodborough Parish Council, I am proud to have presided
over the formation of a parish-wide network of snow wardens, a Road
Safety Working Group, and a great working relationship with Highways.
As your district councillor I would work to ensure that the canal
development meets the needs of Rodborough, oppose any development of
Rodborough fields, promote energy saving initiatives, push to maintain
our bus, campaign to keep Nailsworth, Minchinhampton and Stroud
libraries open, maintain the quality of the Common (e.g. by continuing
to campaign for the lorry ban being policed), further the Parish
Council’s work with the police on increased vandalism and obstructive
parking, make improvements in council housing and recycling, address
the lack of facilities in Rodborough, particularly in the Kingscourt
and Lightpill area which has no grocery shop. I also propose we use
locally recruited and trained insulation engineers to cut the fuel
bills of many of our older properties."
Severn, Sue Hartley:
"Having lived in Saul for over 20 years until my family’s recent move
across the A38, I know the Severn ward well and appreciate the
particular character and identity of this special area. My daughter
benefitted from an excellent education at Saul Primary School. I am a
registered social worker and, though 'retired', I work part-time
tutoring online courses for foster carers.
I believe there is an alternative to the cuts programme being pursued
by the coalition government and supported by Stroud District Council.
I work in support of Green councillors on the council, who have
proposed plans to put money back into the local economy, to stimulate
local employment and to utilise sources of renewable energy. I am an
active supporter of the ongoing campaign against a mass -burn
incinerator at Javelin Park and the locally based Keep the NHS Public
campaign. I oppose the large-scale housing development proposed for
Eastington."
Stonehouse, Clare Sheridan:
"Having lived with my husband in Stonehouse over 19 years, my
background is in child and family mental health. I now work as a play
therapist, gardener and cycle trainer. My interests include my
grandchildren and the environment.
If I were your Green councillor I would work to reduce traffic speed
in the town and make our streets more pleasant. I would also work to
protect Stonehouse library. Another priority I would have is to make
Stonehouse a high-level recycling town in order to reduce the need for
an incinerator. The Green Party is the only party to have made an
official presentation opposing the county council's proposed mass-burn
incinerator at Javelin Park and I would continue to oppose these
plans.
I support keeping Standish Hospital for the local community and I
seriously question the need for a new town near Stonehouse."
The Stanleys, Nicola Hillary:
"We need more Green councillors on the District Council planning
committee, to protect the green fields and green spaces that we love,
and ensure that wildlife-rich habitats are protected. We should work
with people on the housing list as individuals, aiming to meet their
specific needs rather than imposing large-scale solutions. We need to
ensure that limited council resources are concentrated on the more
disadvantaged people in our community.
We need to bring back the kerbside collection of food waste – for
composting, or for renewable energy generation through anaerobic
digestion, such as the scheme Greens have proposed for Stratford Park.
Local firms are suffering in the economic down-turn. We need the
council to purchase goods and services locally, and help find economic
investment.
I've lived in the Stanleys for six years, and work as a fundraiser for
environmental charities, including Transition Network and Stroud
Valleys Project."
Upton St Leonards, Peter Adams:
"I want to let the voters of Upton St Leonards know that they have a
real chance to change the balance of power on Stroud District Council
with their vote on May 3rd. The Conservative majority on the council
is wafer thin. A few more Green councillors could make all the
difference.
A council with Greens sharing power would place more emphasis on
sustainable economic development and sensible policies to create jobs,
for example by investing in local green businesses through a local
bond where district residents would lend the council money for a
reasonable rate of return. Greens have put forward an alternative core
strategy that aims to build resilient communities. With Greens holding
the balance of power, we can start to implement that plan.
I am opposed to the massive 66-acre motorway service station at Ongars
Farm in Brookthorpe and if elected I would work to reduce its impact
on our delicate countryside."
