THE Conservatives have confirmed the first of their candidates standing in the Staffordshire County Council elections.
Voters will head to the polls on 1st May to elect their new representatives.
Richard Stephenson will represent the Conservatives in Burntwood North, while Antony Jones will hope to win the seat in Burntwood South.
The party had won both divisions last time the elections were held, but both Cllr Thomas Loughbrough-Rudd and Cllr Mike Wilcox later became independent members – with the former already confirming he will not stand again this time around.
Antony said:
“I am was absolutely delighted to have been selected to stand for Burntwood South.
“If I am successful in getting elected, I would continue to work tirelessly – as did my predecessor – to work with all partners in Burntwood South, especially on delivering the much needed additional health provision for residents.
“I would also work with local organisations to continue the excellent community engagement that is so important to many of the residents in this division.
“One of my many interests is sports and leisure and I would certainly be getting involved both in the local football club at Chasetown and pursuing the long-awaited improvements to Chasewater Country Park.
“I have lots of experience at a local level serving on my local parish council and understand well the issues that affect residents, such as anti-social behaviour and working with the local PCSOs in keeping our neighbourhoods safe.
“I will also work closely with the town council on county council issues.”
Burntwood North hopeful Richard said:
“I have lived and worked in Lichfield district for 38 years. I arrived in Burntwood in 1987 to start work as a veterinary surgeon, living in the Summerfield ward.
“Over the years I’ve really enjoyed working with the exceptionally friendly people in the town and treating their animals.
“I would be greatly honoured to be allowed to put something back into the community as a local county councillor.
“Over the last year I have established a community speedwatch project and have been actively working to mitigate the effects of excessive quarrying in wider the area.
“I am strongly in support of keeping our local government local and therefore oppose the Government’s plans to abolish our district and county councils and replace them with a massive unitary authority ruled over by a mayor.”
The Conservatives are the second party to confirm their candidates for Burntwood South and Burntwood North, with Labour also putting forward their representatives last month.
It will be particularly important this year to ensure that Burntwood’s interests are represented by candidates who do actually live in Burntwood. Local voices from the town need to be heard at the County Council in Stafford as it considers regorganisation of local government.
Both Labour candidates for the North Division (Jane Smith) and South Division (Darren Ennis) live here and will ensure Burntwood’s voice is heard at County Buildings.
Is this the part where we pretend they do anything that we want, and ignore the fact all they do is bend over, time and time again?