The founder of a community group helping Lichfield residents through the pandemic will stand as a Conservative candidate at the forthcoming local elections.
Elaine Hutchings, who set up Helping Each Other, will contest the Chadsmead ward.
She said she was “committed” to improving the lives of local residents.
“I am honoured to have been chosen as the Conservative candidate for Lichfield District Council.
“My goal is to make our community a better place to live, work and raise a family. I am committed to listening to the needs of the people and working tirelessly to represent their interests.
“I look forward to meeting residents and earning their trust and support.”
Elaine Hutchings
The Helping Each Other group became a familiar name during the Covid period as they delivered essentials to local residents.
It has since continued supporting vulnerable residents, with more than 8,000 members of the Helping Each Other group on Facebook.
Cllr Doug Pullen, leader of the Conservative group at Lichfield District Council, said:
“We are thrilled to have Elaine as our candidate for Lichfield District Council.
“Her dedication to helping others and making a positive impact in our community is genuinely inspiring.
“I believe that she will be an excellent representative for the people of Lichfield, and look forward to working with her in the future.”
Cllr Doug Pullen Lichfield District Council
The Conservatives have also confirmed that they will also see Paul Jones, a financial adviser who has served in the armed forces, stand for them in the Chadsmead ward.
The at a glance list of candidates for the Chadsmead ward at Lichfield District Council:
Joanne Grange
Independent
Elaine Hutchings
Conservatives
Paul Jones
Conservatives
Paul Ray
Liberal Democrats
Nobody’s perfect I guess.
The poacher has well and truly turned gamekeeper.
I don’t understand how the person who helped so many people with the helping group is now standing to be part of the machine that caused most of these people to need help!
Stand for a party that is really there to make a difference. Not just the easy win. If people like you then they’ll vote for. Total sell out and a sad day.
Wow,what a shock.
She works to rescue people who suffer because of Tory policy and now wants to be one.
Logic?
There ain’t none.
So disappointed.
Joanne Grange for me would be the clear winner there, she is a very active Councillor who does a great job at LDC and has helped many residents outside of her own ward.
Just a shame she isn’t my local Councillor!
Jay. Labour are not standing candidate in a ward with the 2nd highest poverty rate in Lichfield City because they want to give other a free run. That is politics.
The Conservatives are now obviously recruiting non members who are active in the community as candidates because of their female issues, or lack of them.
I stopped reading at CONSERVATIVE.
Has her daughter paid back the £50k she owed to the Council yet?
https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/2014/06/25/lichfield-woman-ordered-to-pay-back-50000-given-to-her-by-mistake/
Does this mean the Tories are dispensing with some of the old guard who have failed the people on so many fronts?
Why did Lichfield District Council pay £50k + into Hutchings’ daughter’s account? Was that ever explained to Lichfield Council Tax payers?
A nice person you are
Fred Butlin @ AKA john patrick madden I care same as you Saint John’s Ward lichfield
Does this mean she will continue with the charity work if she gets elected. Can you be head of a registered charity or community group and a councillor, or is there a conflict of interest issue?
Elaine has written on Facebook: “it’s about the person and what I can do for our community . I’d have the same comments had I gone Labour or Lib Dem. I’m just bothered about what difference I can make to Lichfield and be a voice for people”
-So why not stand as an Independent?
To stand as an Independent she would have had fund her own campaign and paid her own deposit, the Tories would have paid this for her, if she loses she suffers no financial loss.
I suppose it just shows you how really passionate about our City she is… won’t fund her own campaign.
I find it frustratingly hypocritical that she thinks standing for the party that has overseen the biggest cuts to public spending in history, has divided and demonised the most vulnerable groups in our society, and overseen the biggest falls in standards of living as inconsequential to her standing. To say that she would have received the same back lash if she was to stand as Lib Dem or Labour is utterly deluded as I’m pretty sure they haven’t been in power the last 13 years…. If she truly wants to help the vulnerable members of our Lichfield community she wouldn’t be standing for the party who have no interest in their lives.
Is this the same person who’s an admin of the ‘FABRICANT OUT!” Facebook group?