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Posted in Local government | 4 Comments

4 Responses

1. on Tuesday April 30, 2013 at 1:08 pm | Reply Peter T

   The upcoming County Council elections are looking interesting here in Dovedale, we have three very strong local candidates:

   Simon Spencer, the current County Councillor, has strong local links through the family bakery in Ashbourne, and a lot of experience in local government, so he knows how the system works. He is also our District Councillor. A regular visitor to Parwich Parish Council meetings, he is well known locally and responsive to his constituents. Part night street lighting, shortly to be implemented in Parwich, is largely his initiative. Simon has also stood twice for the Conservatives in Parliamentary elections.

   Colin Swindell, from Elton, is a District Councillor (Winster & South Darley ward) and has very strong links in our area. Swindells have been resident in Parwich and the area for at least five hundred years, serving as Parish Officers in eighteenth and nineteenth century Parwich. He is the only candidate that has actively campaigned in Parwich for this election. Colin has a real insight into the issues relevant to villages and businesses in the National Park. He also has stood for Labour in Parliamentary elections.

   John Youatt, from Youlgrave, has long experience with the Peak Park and is founder chair of Sustainable Youlgrave. (Their website is well worth a visit if you don’t already know about them: see http://www.sustainableyoulgrave.org/ ) John has an undoubted commitment to the Peak District.

   Personally I am currently unsure how to vote, as all the above would make us an excellent County Councillor.

   Labour in the County Council opposed part night street lighting, so we don’t know what their view will be if they regain an overall majority. Will they want to reverse the policy, though finance may not give them any choice? Simon Spencer is committed to extending part night lighting.

   An issue that may be important in a year or so is Bus services. The current contracts for our buses were recently agreed for 18 months, and there is no guarantee that the Council will continue the grants beyond then. Like many people I do not use the buses very often, but unrealistically want them to be there if I need them. What would it mean if the non-school time buses stopped?

   
   
2. on Tuesday April 30, 2013 at 1:31 pm | Reply John Youatt

   The following has been added by the Blog Team using information emailed to us by John Youatt:

   I’m sad that we decided that I was to be only a “paper” or “tactical” candidate. This decision was based on a realistic assessment of our very limited resources.

   In the event the Party only funded one full campaign, Charlotte Farrell in the Hope valley. I attach the leaflet that I delivered in my home patch only; and the ‘mini manifesto’ that Derbys Times published on its web site.

   John

   News from the Green Party
   Derbyshire County Council elections May 2nd 2013
   Greens to stand in Dovedale

   John Youatt is representing the Green Party in Dovedale. John says:-‘This is a first for the Greens in this big rural Division. I’m focussing on the need for change in Europe, ready for the EU elections next May. We have an excellent chance of an MEP, thanks to fair voting.

   Meanwhile, I’ll ask the new County Council to support community self sufficiency; create 20 mph limits on all village streets and minor lanes; and support renewable energy for homes, farms and factories. The latter requires pressure by DCC Members on the unelected Peak Park Authority to adopt more supportive policies.’

   John adds “I’ve read a summary of issues that Parwich folk have raised. I’d be pleased to work with you, for example on speed limits. The time to start will be when we know the relevant new DCC cabinet members”.

   Meanwhile please vote Green this Thursday
   John Youatt Dovedale division 01629 636241 john@youatt.co.uk

   See also:

   Greens in Dovedale

   Policy Summary

   Derbyshire Green Party

   
   
3. on Tuesday April 30, 2013 at 7:48 pm | Reply Cllr Simon Spencer

   The following has been added by the Blog Team using information emailed to us by Simon Spencer:

   I hope that everyone has received my election address. Serving the residents of Dovedale over the past 4 years has been a privilege and I hope that you believe that I have represented you properly.

   Over this period we have had to make some difficult decisions saving the tax payer £80 million pounds. Whilst keeping Council Tax increases to 0% over past three years and continuing to deliver front line services.

   On local issues I would like to thank residents for their involvement in the “part night lighting program”, this will save the tax payer nearly a million pound a year whilst saving 96,000 tons of carbon emissions, I believe that this is a pragmatic approach to facing the challenges ahead.

   Following a prolonged and severe winter, Derbyshire’s 3500 miles of roads have taken a real battering. The Council has allocated £824,000-00 from reserves for emergency repairs, providing 2 jetpatchers machines and 10 extra repair teams, we have also secured an extra £4 million from Central Government for ongoing repairs over the next two years.

   On a brighter note I am please to say that a new contract has been issued for the ongoing provision of your local bus service.

   Hope this information is of assistance

   Regards

   Simon Spencer
   Derbyshire County Councillor for Dovedale

   
   
4. on Tuesday April 30, 2013 at 10:23 pm | Reply Peter T

   As Cllr Spencer has pointed out, I need to apologise for two errors in my comment above:

   Dear Peter

   Just been on line.

   I was your District Councillor for 8 years until the last election, I stood down to concentrate on my County responsibilities and it is now Sir Richard Fitzherbert.

   Just to let you know I was campaigning in the village last Wednesday and Thursday.

   Hope you do not mind my correction.

   Regards

   Simon Spencer
   Deputy Leader of Derbyshire County Council

   Thank you Simon for the corrections, though perhaps I shouldn’t point out that Simon’s own website also still lists him as a District Councillor.

   
   

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