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**Archive Story From 2010 Election**
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I posted my last campaign leaflet last Saturday. 5,000 plus dwellings!. I’ve lived in this Ward for 30 years but still have to admit to visiting some of those roads, streets ..tracks! for the first time. This is my first venture into local politics so thought it appropriate that I at least made the effort to find every “Ëœdoor’.
This week I have started to systematically walk around our ward just knocking on some of those doors, meeting people and asking their opinions on all things local. I feel that I can now begin to comment on what led me to the decision to stand for election, and what my aims would be if elected.
I accepted an offer from Staffordshire County Council to take early retirement in 1997 when Stoke on Trent took on Unitary status. Prior to that I had spent the previous twenty odd years helping the County Council, (in post as County Energy Manager), reduce it’s energy and water costs, by efficient procurement and reducing waste. I have worked in the private sector ever since.
During the last couple of years I’ve become more aware about the “Ëœgoings on’ at the Council and the need for change via the Sentinel and Pits n Pots (Lotto). The rise in the number of independent councillors and the decision this year to hold local elections as per normal, even though the term of office would be just 12 months proved too much of a temptation. I had to give it a go and stand up for what I believe.
I believe that the art of being a successful councillor is setting the correct balance between time spent developing community involvement and time spent contributing to the development and monitoring of City Council policy.
I think it futile and a little arrogant to imagine that if elected I will be able to make major changes to the present City Council policies during my 12 months in office. However, I’ll be looking for any opportunity to make comment and press for modifications where any policy under discussion could be in conflict with the wishes/interests of residents in Trentham and Hanford.
Four days of knocking on doors and listening is beginning to tell me that almost everyone in our area knows what they don’t want, but have few collective ideas for the future. The attempt to close Trentham High has obviously left an indelible image. The episode proved to the few remaining doubters that 2 of our 3 Ward councillors could not be trusted to properly represent us. More importantly, in my opinion, the Trentham High episode proved that there is enthusiasm and an ability to press for change in the community. We should surely all be trying to direct this enthusiasm towards building a bigger and better community spirit in the area by focusing on increasing facilities for young and old.
So what, if elected, will I be promising to do during the 12 months leading up to 2011?
Firstly I won’t be alone! Terry Fellows is already an active Independent Councillor in the area. Terry already has a proven record of providing support to residents in the Ward, I will be able to provide help and assistance to ensure that the present support system built up by Terry will continue to expand.
Secondly I intend to knock on quite a few more doors (figuratively speaking) to find out what actually makes the ward “Ëœtick’ (community groups, churches etc) and what additional services and facilities could reasonably be provided during the next 4 year council term. The information collected will provide a basis for a start to be made on further developing our three community associations during this 12 month term and help us to collectively produce a “ËœMini Manifesto’ listing our area “Ëœwants and priorities’ in time for the 2011 local elections.
Thirdly I will be attempting to start a process aimed ultimately at devolving more power to our community associations.
The next elections in 2011 will soon be upon us. I sincerely hope that you the residents of Trentham and Hanford will be prepared to trust me for these important 12 months leading up to 2011, despite being badly let down by some of your councillors in the past. Given that trust I will endeavour for my part to ensure that you are provided with a manifesto for 2011 ““ 2015 that properly reflects your wishes and aspirations.
David Conway was not the only one with a big smile on his face Friday morning as Labour awoke to the short sharp judgement of the residents of Springfields and Trent Vale. Whilst it might not stop the move, the backlash against the move to the CBD was apparent, which raised the spirits of many council officers on Friday morning. Parking in Stoke may not be perfect, but the thought of a daily game of ‘musical parking spaces’ followed by a forced tutorial on how you should cycle to work rather than moan about paying £25 a year to spend 20 minutes looking for a parking spot before abandoning hope and parking in Tesco, is a step too far for some.