I am standing for the Wendover Parish Council 2011 Elections

Those who know me and my involvement & interest in the parish life will not be surprised to find my name on the list of candidates for the Wendover Parish Council.


My interpretation of the ‘Big Society’ concept is that the Parish Council should take on more responsibilities and initiatives. The Aylesbury Town Council have been leading on actively taking over responsibility for local tasks that were done by AVDC and BCC. They had an up hill battle with the politrucs that did not want to downsize their empires. But the current atmosphere of cuts and local government focus will encourage AVDC and BCC to shed activities to the parishes where it make sense. I do not believe that they may be carried out by volunteers (I include in this the library service). Therefore, I would strongly support increasing the precept significantly – “local taxes to drive local action, prioritised by the Wendover residents”.

I am self employed and my current client is an hour’s drive away. I strongly believe that the parish council activities should be “work life friendly” allowing people of all walks of life and family stages to participate. An important step in that direction is getting the communications right. I know that the business as usual stuff does not really interest most people in the village. On the other hand, it is really frustrating when you do learn of something that gets your buck up only after it becomes a fact. A good example is the BCC and AVDC consultations that are actively circulated only to council members and Jo Blogs has to constantly monitor the websites to see what is coming up – one cannot even register on a mailing list.

I will endeavour to support innovative approaches to building design instead of the cramped show boxes mushrooming around us. Moreover, I sign up to the approach that people should be allowed to improve their home without too much intervention and Big Brother attitudes.

You will not be surprised to hear that I will actively encourage initiatives to improve the cycling and pedestrian environment in the town.



I would like to make a special note of one of the candidates for whom I have a lot of time – Steven Worth. Not only does he really care about the village but he got many projects done for very little cost. I will try and learn from him and follow his example. I think that one of his secrets is to not drop the ball when big issues excite the rest of the Parish Council and the Parishioners.



Candidates for the District Counsel Elections

Liberal Democrats

• Christine M. Smith

• Simon J. Weaver

• Katie Willis

Conservatives

• Steve Bowles

• Chris Richards

• Peter Stachan



Candidates for the Wendover Parish Council Elections


Stephen C. Worth

Bob Duggan (http://www.bobduggan.moonfruit.com/)

Cheryl M. Stamper

Tom Walsh

Oliver Statham

Karen B. Saunders

Emma Louise Carroll

Eli Kling



Hussein Ghomshei

Marion Clayton

James Grant

Bob Lewis

Nicky Gregory

Jannifer A. Ballantine

Roz Green