Ballot box. Pic: Anthony Karanja
Ballot box. Pic: Anthony Karanja

As Lichfield and Burntwood voters prepare to go to the ballot box for the local elections on May 5, The Lichfield Blog has offered each of the candidates the chance to have their say.

We’ve sent out questionnaires to all District Council candidates and will publish their responses on the site to help you decide where to put your cross on election day. If your local candidates haven’t responded yet, why not chase them?

Name: Derek Love
Party: Liberal Democrats
Ward: Leomansley
Occupation: Retired Chartered Surveyor, in rural estate management, Staffs County Council.

What has made you decide to stand for election?
I will be standing for re-election, having served Leomansley Ward continuously for the last 16 years on the Lichfield District Council. I feel that I have the capacity to represent the views of the electors in Council and by my long experience, will be able to influence decisions, which will be made on matters which are of local importance,especially in the way that Lichfield will be developed in the future.

What are the key local issues for you in your ward?
To ensure that the Green Belt is preserved and that the recreation buffer zone at Darwin Park is used for recreational purposes and not for building development. To oppose any form of back land garden development. To hasten the completion of estates which are yet unfinished,so that the adoption of roads by the County Council can take place. To ensure that a suitable memorial stone is built into entrance to the housing estate on the old Victoria Hospital site.

If you are elected how do you plan to keep your constituents informed of what you are doing to represent them?
By continuing our present practice of producing and distributing Focus newsletters, to involve residents, by informing them of  Council matters and by feedback from them, finding out their opinions on various matters.

By continuing our present practice of holding local surgeries in the ward, on important planning matters, when information is displayed and views of residents are sought.

How do you feel you will be able to make a difference to your constituents?
I believe that a councillor should be a representative of the people in the ward, on the Council and not the Council’s representative in the ward. This gives a councillor a greater mandate to make a difference and to be an advocate for local campaigns. Among campaigns in which I have been involved, were getting Beacon School listed and preserved and trying to save the demolition of the old Victoria Hospital.

Anything else you would like to add?
If I was privileged to be elected once again, I would represent my electors to the best of my ability.

Also standing in the Leomansley ward (once they have responded, these will link to the response):

  • Bob Awty (Conservatives)
  • Trevor Cook (UKIP)
  • Iain Eadle (Conservatives)
  • Ian Jackson (Lib Dem)
  • Andrew Smith (Conservatives)
  • John Smith (Lib Dem)
  • Mark Taylor (Labour)

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.