Defending their seat in Abbey Meads, Central, Covingham & Nythe, Dorcan and Eastcott

ABBEY MEADS

Peter Stoddart (Conservative)

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

In Abbey Meads it is only the Conservatives who work all year round, where we regularly deliver newsletters and resident surveys, knock on doors, organise public meetings and lead on the key local issues.

My experience is essential in fighting inappropriate development, which is crucial with the proposed Tadpole Farm development. I am never afraid to fall out with developers, and will take a hard-line to oppose inappropriate and poor quality development. We have supported expanding every single school possible in the Northern Sector, organised annual schools admission public forums and are pressing for additional land for Isambard to expand.

Challenging:

Gary Belben (UKIP)

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

I live in Abbey Meads and really care about where we live. I seek to improve the ward for all, resolving problems and making sure that our council works for us. The years of Labour and the Coalition have seen us paying more, but getting less for our money. The burden of red-tape from unelected EU bureaucrats accounts for 50 per cent of the local government regulations in Swindon and is rising every day, along with excessive immigration that puts further strain on our local services. Lend me and UKIP your vote and you will get someone that will work for you.

Aneta Golebiewska (Lib Dem):

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

As a very open and friendly person I have ability to talk to people and I think all together we can certainly make some changes from protecting the poorest and small local businesses to protect our environment to make our lives better and easier.

In Abbey Meads I see our priorities as being parking and community facilities. Some areas of Abbey Meads have severe problems with parking and many streets have problems to the extent that buses cannot safely access roads and buggies cannot get down the pavements. The council made a mistake in not pushing for more off-road parking in much of the northern development. Many people have told us that the lack of community facilities means that we have not developed the community spirit of other areas, I would tackle this.

Mark Viner (Labour):

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

We need a new vision of regeneration in our town centre, which takes into account some of Swindon’s history that can attract to new business to our town. As someone who is looking start a family, I worry about what schools my kids are going to go to in the future, and I can’t accept what this Tory-led coalition is going to do to Sure Start, services which has helped so many.

Living in the ward of Abbey Meads, all I have seen are broken promises from the developers and local politicians. Any future development must have stricter scrutiny to make sure that any potential negative effects on the local infrastructure, particularly the roads and schools, are addressed before work begins rather than dealing with it after they have finished. Telling the developers what we want done, rather than them telling us what they are prepared to do in our ward.

CENTRAL

Defending their seat:

Derique Montaut (Labour)

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

I am currently the Leader of the Labour Group and have been highly critical of the Conservative administration’s policies on town centre regeneration, the privatisation of public services, and cuts to low income families and the vulnerable.

If re-elected as a Central ward councillor, I promise to: Work to empower local communities Fight to establish a 20mph zone in all residential areas Call for more developers to be used within the Ward And fight for a new school in the Central area.

I have held all the high offices of the council, with the exception of being council leader, including being the Mayor of Thamesdown Council in 1990.

Challenging:

CENTRAL:

Garry Porter (Lib Dem)

IN HIS OWN WORDS: Garry Porter retired from the RAF last year after 32 years, following a long flying career. As an air commodore, he commanded all RAF forces assigned to operations in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2005-6; more recently, he ran an international think-tank, one of a number of ground appointments in high level planning – he is no stranger to difficult situations. Garry has maintained a residence in Central Ward since 2007 – a district similar to the urban area in Bristol where he was raised. He is particularly keen to see more attention paid to improving Swindon Centre – the fact that Swindon is plummeting down the league of desirable shopping destinations (Swindon Advertiser Jan 2011) is a disgrace and indicative of a lack of imagination and drive by both the Conservative Council and the ward’s Labour councillors! We need to continue the Liberal Democrat led action to sort out parking, especially for residents, and take a hard look at regeneration across the town centre to ensure we build a thriving and attractive community for all. Garry would also work for greater transparency in Council decision making – too much goes on behind closed doors and voters’ views are too often taken for granted rather than sought! Karsten Evans (Independent)

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

No matter which party candidate gets elected, it always ends up the same with ‘Promises, promises’! I can not promise anything, except to do my best for people in Central and to find out more of what happens in SBC.

I stand FOR: Town Poll on residents parking, an elected mayor, a development ban near Coate, more openness regarding Freedom of Information requests, political reform.

I stand AGAINST: Nuclear power plants, unfair parking fees at the hospital, housing developments on Greenfield land, cuts to vital Swindon’s charities, costly town centre regeneration projects that should be postponed until economy. recovers.

Paul Gregory (Conservative)

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

I represent ‘Equalities’ on a number of borough council committees including Swindon Children’s Trust Board and have been a governor at Churchfields School in Upham Road for three years I believe that the Central Ward needs a stronger voice within the council, the ward can be better represented by an active Conservative councillor who can ensure that Central’s problems and assets can be more effectively highlighted As I work and live in the centre of town I have witnessed firsthand the blight of empty shops, offices and vacant building sites. I would make it my priority to tackle these. Our local planners must prioritize regeneration of the Swindon’s Centre before allowing any further development on greenfield sites around Swindon Robert Oliver Heritage (Green) PARTY PROFILE: Bob has been a member of Swindon & District Green Party for 20 years. He has stood several times as a candidate in local elections.

As someone with both a visual and hearing loss Bob has managed to cope with these disabilities and champions the rights of disabled people. He is especially concerned with issues of safe mobility - clean affordable public transport in both urban and rural areas. Also for the provision or adaptation of appropriate housing that is properly insulated and heated to the highest environmental standards. He is keen on music especially folk, jazz, blues, country and western. He takes a keen interest in both local and national politics and is knowledgeable about the history of social and radical movements both in the UK and worldwide.

Eleanor Jane Pomagalski (UKIP)

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

Married 27 years, five children. Living in Swindon past 24 years. Christian home-schooling mum. Passionate about people and their quality of life. UKIP put country before party. Our freedoms are being eroded, let us choose how we spend our limited funds. In cost-cutting times there is still so much waste.

COVINGHAM AND NYTHE

Standing down: Glenn Smith (Conservative)

Standing for election:

Corinna Christine Allen (UKIP)

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

I moved to Covingham in April 2007 and then got flooded in July 2007 alongside many people. I am a lone parent and I work part time in the Brunel Centre. I very much enjoy my voluntary work with St John Ambulance. My main concerns are: The safety of the wi fi project in Swindon. The high cost of university tuition fees. The withdrawal or cuts of EMA for young students. Interest rates being too low for savers. The rising cost of living. The price of EU membership of approximately £50 million every day.

Emma Louise Faramarzi (Conservative)

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

I will work with your other local Conservative representatives, Councillors Dale Heenan and Richard Hurley and Justin Tomlinson MP, to fight inappropriate development. Now that the last Labour’s Government’s centrally-imposed housing targets have been ripped up, which included the disgraceful 12,000 homes planned for the Eastern Development area, we have the power locally to secure sustainable, high quality development which puts existing residents first.

My other priorities will include tackling graffiti and litter, and supporting further measures to regenerate the shopping areas in Covingham, Coleview and Nythe.

I will be a no-nonsense, hard-working Councillor always putting local residents first.

Chris Ward (Lib Dem)

PARTY PROFILE:

Having lived in Covingham and Nythe Ward all his life, Chris feels passionately about his local area and believes that his enthusiasm and energy for representing people will make him an ideal candidate for Covingham and Nythe.

As well as standing in Covingham and Nythe, Chris is working hard for the YES campaign on the Alternative Vote referendum. Chris likes AV because it will mean fewer extremists end up in Parliament and MPs will have to work harder to win.

Most MPs get elected despite only being supported by a minority of people, AV would force MPs to engage with more voters.

Peter William David Watts (Labour):

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

I have lived in the Covingham and Nythe Ward for 31 years.

If elected I will maintain a constant vigil on the Eastern Development Area (EDA) proposals to prevent traffic and flooding problems to existing roads and housing occurring.

I will also liaise with the Environment Agency to ensure culverts and waterways are regularly inspected, cleaned and maintained effectively to prevent local flooding.

I will work with both the Stratton St Margaret and Covingham Parish Councils for the benefit of the whole Ward and regularly attend Parish Council meetings.

DORCAN

Defending their seat:

Andy Albinson (Conservative)

PARTY PROFILE:

Andy has spent the last eight years as a councillor for the Dorcan ward and supported and helped the residents with their problems and grievances in dealing with the council and the services they provide. Being a member of several committees including scrutiny, housing, planning and as well as serving on residents panels he can influence the actions of the council for the benefit of the ward, and Swindon. His hobbies are sailing, golf and gardening which allow him to relax and recharge.

Challenging:

Clive Hooper (Lib Dem)

PARTY PROFILE:

Only the Liberal Democrats are offering you a vital fresh start for Dorcan and Swindon in Clive Hooper.

Clive Hooper is a former teacher, has served two terms as a Swindon Councillor and was governor chair of finance for several years of Nythe Primary School. He believes that Swindon and other authorities whose schools are under funded , must fight far harder for fair treatment for their children, and a reduction in class sizes. He is also concerned about the efficiency of Swindon’s bus services. Clive is a sports fan and a keen gardener.

Ged Meheran (Labour)

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

Care Provision, Sure Start, Coate Water – these are areas that affect people in Dorcan and Swindon and the lack of concern shown by the council to people’s needs and concerns is staggering. The targeting of the vulnerable by this council is shameful and should be resisted. On issues like removal of dog waste, clearance of foliage from people’s gardens and the need to fight anti-social behaviour people on the doorstep have expressed their concern about the lack of action and response from this council and current councillors.

Simon William Smith (Green)

PARTY PROFILE:

Throughout most of his career he has worked for environmental charities, often locally and has been involved in working with and supporting Swindon’s environmental groups over many years. He now works for a neighbouring protected landscape, an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’. As a volunteer he is involved in Swindon’s climate action group and a new community garden in Queens Park. Simon is a single father of two, both being educated in Swindon.

EASTCOTT

Standing down: Martin Wiltshire (Lib Dem)

Standing for election:

David Gould (Conservative):

PARTY PROFILE:

David, who supports the Conservative council’s decision to freeze council tax this year, says: “I am pleased to learn that Wiltshire Probation Trust will be using people serving community sentences to tidy up Victoria Hill, and will work to ensure that other areas in our ward are given the same attention. I would like to see more controls placed upon the spread of Homes in Multiple Occupation, so that new rules initiated by the last Labour Government do not lead to too many changes of that nature.”

Bill Hughes (Green):

PARTY PROFILE:

Bill joined the Green (Ecology) Party in 1983. He has stood regularly for Swindon Council elections and stood for the European Elections in 1989 (22 per cent of the vote) and in the General Election in Swindon in 1992, 2005 and 2010. Over the years he has been involved in many campaigns to protect the local environment and with Friends of the Earth, CND and the Stop the War Coalition. He is happily married with two grown up sons.

Vince Pomagalski (UKIP)

PARTY PROFILE:

Married 27 years, with five children. Living in Swindon past 24 years. Worked in IT until recent redundancy. Dorset County Council, then WH Smith locally, followed by Vodafone, Newbury. Joined UKIP after becoming disillusioned by the main parties selling out our country and the burden of ever growing legislation and bureaucracy.

Nicky Sewell (Lib Dem)

PARTY PROFILE:

Her priorities are changing residents’ parking to make it cheaper, getting a second crossing for Kingshill Road and stopping more split houses, as we have our fair share already. In the coming year she will also take action on: ensuring the college site is demolished in weeks not months, getting gates to stop night-time access through the college site, tackling dog fouling, fighting for a 20mph zone for our side streets and continuing to resurface damaged roads.

Chris Watts (Lab)

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

One of my main concerns for next year will be the increase of traffic into Eastcott when Fleming Way is converted to a bus lane as part of the Union Square development.

An over-arching traffic management plan to deal with the problem has not been put forward. I feel it will be a priority to look at ways to protect Eastcott residential road from being used as rat-runs.