01/04/08 - Conservative Candidates, Swindon Borough Council Elections

Conservative Candidates
Swindon Borough Council Elections
Thursday 1st May 2008
Polls Open 7am - 10pm

It is only the Conservatives who will set out a positive agenda.

ABBEY MEADS - Vera Tomlinson

Vera is a parish councillor and local resident with hands-on experience of dealing with concerns including development issues, school places and improving local facilities.  She believes in communicating with local residents all year round, both personally and at public meetings.  Vera will be a formidable, hard-working councillor who will always put fellow local residents first.

Fast fact: Vera’s son is Justin Tomlinson, local Conservative councillor and Parliamentary candidate.

CENTRAL - Kevin Leakey

Kevin was born and bred in Swindon and has lived in Central ward for twenty years, where he has campaigned tirelessly for local residents.  Kevin will be a hard-working councillor who will always take the lead on important local issues, and will always make sure that fellow residents of Central ward have their interests put first when decisions are being made.

Fast fact: Kevin is married to local community leader Karen Leakey, who stood in this seat last year.

COVINGHAM & NYTHE - Councillor Dale Heenan

Dale has been the local councillor since 2004.  Among his achievements, he has identified the funding to start the free graffiti removal service, campaigned for speed humps to be removed, and put together the successful Grass Roots Grants scheme.  He is a governor at a local secondary school and a dedicated fundraiser for charities and local community groups.

Fast fact: Dale became the 30^th Conservative councillor in 2004, giving the party overall control.

DORCAN (two seats) - Councillor Roderick Bluh

Rod, who is leader of Swindon Borough Council, has been the member for Dorcan since 2004. Under his guidance Swindon has continued to improve dramatically.  He has a wealth of experience and is passionate about Dorcan and Swindon.  He has the vision and determination to drive forward the regeneration plans which will transform the town.

Fast fact: Rod is a member of no fewer than 30 committees, boards and authorities.

DORCAN (two seats) - Kevin Parry

Kevin has lived in Dorcan most of his adult life.   He will be a hard-working councillor with a particular determination to tackle anti-social behaviour and vandalism, and will be a strong voice for local residents.  He is committed to both improving public services and keeping Council Tax at a fair and affordable level.

Fast fact: Kevin has two children who both attend local schools.

EASTCOTT - Paul Gregory

Paul has lived in Eastcott for nearly 30 years.  He has a wealth of experience in the community and is currently campaigning to improve parking for local residents.  Housing standards, graffiti, and facilities for young families are also important issues for Paul, as are the town’s leisure facilities.

Fast fact:  Paul is a director of his own residential lettings business.

FRESHBROOK & GRANGE PARK - Councillor Peter Greenhalgh

Peter was last elected in 2004, and has become well-known to residents for his no-nonsense approach.  He is the Lead Member for Highways and Planning and his main priority is sorting out the problems caused by Swindon’s largely 19^th century road system.  He is not afraid to be strong voice for local residents and tackle complex and challenging issues.

Fast fact:  In answer to the frequently-asked question, Peter’s surname is pronounced ‘green-halsh’.

GORSE HILL & PINEHURST - Louise Gallavin

Louise was born in Swindon and has lived in both Gorse Hill and Pinehurst.  She is a local sales and marketing manager who will always put residents first.  She would be a strong voice and only accept the best for local people.  Louise has the energy, drive and enthusiasm to be a first-class councillor.

Fast fact: At 25, Louise is the youngest Conservative candidate in this year’s elections.

HAYDON WICK - Councillor Rex Barnett

Rex was elected as the local councillor last year for a one-year term and has made a huge impact in that time, both in the local ward and the Council as a whole.  He is a retired sales manager and long time resident of Haydon Wick.  He is very active in the community and is currently a governor at a local school.  He is committed to improving public services and keeping council taxes low.

Fast fact: Rex is also a member of the local Bowls Club.

HIGHWORTH - Councillor Anthony Peake

Anthony, last elected in 2004, has been a strong voice for the Highworth community and has been instrumental in protecting and improving local services.  He works hard for local residents and travels many miles to visit people in this largely rural ward.  He is a member of the Footpaths and Rights of Way Committee.

Fast fact: Anthony is part of the forum which oversees the upper reaches of the River Thames.

MOREDON - Councillor Colin Lovell

Colin, 46, grew up in Swindon and has served the residents of Moredon since his election in 2004.  He continues to campaign for improvements to local services and has striven to achieve real results.  Colin is always working to resolve the individual concerns of local residents.  He is a great believer in the provision of first class public services.

Fast fact: Colin is the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods.

OLD TOWN & LAWN - Councillor Mike Bawden

Mike has over forty years experience of Swindon local government, having first been elected to the old local authority in 1967.  He has been a strong voice for Old Town & lawn for many years and has been instrumental in delivering numerous major projects.  He has campaigned hard to protect local services including Old Town Library and Lawn Post Office.

Fast fact: Mike is a former Leader of the Council and was last year’s Mayor of the Borough.

PARKS (two seats) - Graham Cherry

Graham is a self-employed plumber who has lived in Parks for many years.  As a council tenant, he takes a keen interest in housing issues.  He is determined to tackle anti-social behaviour and vandalism, and will work hard to represent local residents.  He is well-known in the area and will be a strong local voice.

Fast fact: Graham is Secretary of the Shaftesbury Lakes Angling Association.

PARKS (two seats) Claire Ellis

Claire is dedicated to ensuring that fellow local residents get the voice they deserve.  In particular, she wants to ensure that the people of Parks always get their fair share, especially when it comes to improvements to the area and local facilities for residents.  Claire is community-minded and a strong supporter of the regeneration of Swindon.

Fast fact: Claire is a new member of the Conservative team in Parks where there are two elections.

RIDGEWAY - Councillor Andrew Bennett

Last elected in 2004, Andrew is a resident of Wanborough and has been a strong voice for the local community.  He has been instrumental in protecting and improving local services and works hard all year round for the Ridgeway community.  Andrew believes in keeping council tax as low as possible while supporting local services and amenities.

Fast fact: Andrew is a member of around 20 different committees, bodies and organisations.

SHAW & NINE ELMS - Councillor Nick Martin

Nick was first elected as the local councillor in this area in 1999.  He is the Lead Member for Finance, and as such has been responsible for delivering four Council Tax Budgets, each one in line with inflation, and a capital programme that is regenerating Swindon.  He is also Deputy Chair of the new Central Library project and a governor at a local school.

Fast fact: Nick was the political leader of the successful ‘Forest Not Stadium’ campaign in 2004.

ST PHILIPS - Councillor Sinead Darker

Sinead is an existing councillor with a great deal of experience at serving local residents.  She is passionate about recycling and green issues.  Sinead has a legal background by profession and so is particularly concerned with issues surrounding drug misuse and crime.  She is also governor of two Swindon schools and takes an active interest in planning issues.

Fast fact: Sinead is a Trustee of the Swindon Town Football Club Study Centre.

STRATTON ST MARGARET - Councillor Ray Fisher

Ray has been the local councillor since 2003 and has been working hard for the community ever since.  He is proud to be part of the team which led to the recent successful auditors review, which praised the Council’s focus on value for money, and meant ‘local residents receive better services and better value from their council taxes’.

Fast fact: Ray is retiring as Financial Director for Arkell’s Brewery.

TOOTHILL & WESTLEA - Councillor Mary Martin

Mary moved to West Swindon in 1994 and has represented Toothill & Westlea since 2000.  She was a key player in winning the new primary school for Toothill, and has also championed major landscaping and play facility improvements in the area.  Mary is a business executive.

Fast fact: Mary plays the horn and is a volunteer coach to a local youth band.

WALCOT - Councillor Mavis Childs

Mavis has been a councillor for more than ten years and has a long and formidable track record in helping Walcot residents.  She holds weekly surgeries and deals with a large amount of casework for local residents.  She believes everyone should get a fair deal, whatever their circumstances.

Fast fact: Mavis has a particular interest in housing and is a member of several committees.

WESTERN - Peter Heaton-Jones

Peter is well-known as a local radio presenter, and has spent years campaigning for fellow Swindonians.  He knows how the system works and how to get things done.  Peter believes Western, which currently has only Labour Councillors, needs a Conservative.  He has already campaigned hard for the local post office, and will actively seek solutions to the area’s traffic issues.

Fast fact: Peter has run both the Swindon half-marathon and the London marathon.

WROUGHTON & CHISELDON - Councillor Brian Ford

Brian has been a local councillor since 1986 and has been a hard-working member for Wroughton and Chiseldon.  As a resident of Wroughton, has is determined to maintain the integrity and character of the communities he represents.  Brian is a member of the Police Authority and has been instrumental in securing many local projects for the area.

Fast fact: With 22 years’ service, Brian is one of the longest-serving councillors in Swindon.