A prospective Labour councillor has hit back at criticisms of him not living in the area he hopes to represent.
Roy Tovey, who will stand in the Summerfield and All Saints ward for both Lichfield District Council and Burntwood Town Council, says Conservative election material has questioned his lack of links to the area.
But businessman Mr Tovey told Lichfield Live that he was a firm supporter of the town.
“I may live ten minutes’ drive from the town,” he said. “But my enthusiasm and belief in Burntwood as a place where a business can thrive is strong.
“This town has, within the community, people with the drive and ability to benefit any company, large or small, to promote local success and good employment opportunities – that benefits the whole town.”
Mr Tovey said he has created jobs in the town through the business he set up with money he received after being made redundant from his job as a mineworker.
He said he has also acquired another premises in Burntwood and hopes to create more jobs.
“I have a real stake in the future of this town and the comments made by my opponents reveal them to be small-minded and anti-business,” he said.
“I’m happy to demonstrate my belief in Burntwood by investing here. What have they done to benefit Burntwood? One has even just moved away from Burntwood to Lichfield where she currently holds a county council seat.
“I would challenge my opponents to show a greater commitment and explain why they are standing only for district council seats, those that give a financial reward, but are not standing for the unpaid role of town councillors.
“I’m proud to be standing for both.”
Candidates for Summerfield and All Saints ward at Burntwood Town Council:
Brian Bacon (Cons)
Bernard Brown (Lab)
Laura Ennis (Lab)
Ivan Holdsworth (Lab)
Thomas Loughbrough Heron (Cons)
Steve Taylor (Lab)
Roy Tovey (Lab)
Candidates for Summerfield and All Saints ward at Lichfield District Council
Bernard Brown (Lab)
Laura Ennis (Lab)
John Hitchin (UKIP)
Ken Humphreys (Cons)
Natasha Pullen (Cons)
Roy Tovey (Lab)
Heather Tranter (Cons)
