In the run up to the Stroud District Council elections on May 5, the SNJ will be profiling each of the candidates standing in all 27 wards.

Each party candidate will give voters information about who they are, what their pledges are and why you should vote for them.

These profiles will be posted alphabetically by ward over the next week.

Today we feature Severn, Stonehouse, Stroud Central, Farmhill and Paganhill, Slade and Trinity.

Look back at previous articles throughout the week for wards A-R.

Severn - There are five candidates standing in this ward. Number of seats – two.

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  • Thomas Lydon - Labour

Thomas has lived locally since the age of 11 and went to Marling School, now working in policy and strategy including at a national level.

He’s a huge Gloucester Rugby fan and enjoys spending time with his new niece.

His number one priority for Eastington, Frampton, Whitminster and Arlingham is to improve the atrocious state of our roads – he’d hold the County Council and its contractor to account over their complete failure to deal with potholes.

He’d also work to ensure that the “West of Stonehouse” developers deliver on their commitments for building affordable housing, a school and GP surgery.

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  • Robin Lewis – Green Party

Robin is a lecturer at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, married with three grown up children. I have lived locally for 15 years and have always been impressed by the community spirit of the area.

As a keen cyclist and walker I value the local countryside. During this time, I have become more and more committed to Green policies as I observe the undeniable evidence of man-made climate change within the locality.

Examples include the flooding of fields and roads around Berkeley as well as ill-thought out proposals for house-building.

If we are to protect local people and the things they value, I believe it is time for a change towards Green policies.

If elected, I will work hard to implement these policies and to represent the views and wishes of local people.

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  • Stephen Davies – Conservative

I moved to Saul five years ago and work at home for a Cyber Security company.

I am standing because I passionately believes in the importance of local politics and the need for strong representation.

As the current Councillor I have been very involved in the detailed plans for “West of Stonehouse” and how we achieve the best development possible. I have also challenged the locally unpopular Ecotricity Proposal, which is not in the recently approved Stroud Local Plan and raises serious concerns about the increased traffic on the A419 and Junction 13.

I am committed to work hard for all of the Severn Ward and am already familiar as a resident with the local issues including plans to automate the Canal Bridges.

As a District Councillor I believe is it important to ensure value for Tax Payers’ money from the District Council and has been a member of the Audit and Standards Committee.

You can see my work by following me on Twitter @cllrsdavies

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  • John Jones – Conservative

I was first elected to represent the Severn Ward of Stroud District Council in 2002. I know the Ward very well, having been born at Cambridge, (Glos), and lived in Whitminster since 1963, as well as working with constituents for 14 years.

I help run the Village Hall in Whitminster with my wife which helps the local community grow and develop. I am pleased that Eastington is a new addition to the enlarged Severn Ward, as I have many connections with the village, through my agricultural and village background.

I have worked closely with Stephen Davies particularly on planning matters for which I have a huge interest.

Not making promises I won’t be able to keep, I will use my extensive District Council knowledge in all Ward matters, and bring common sense to all issues that need resolving in the forthcoming four years.

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  • John Howe – Liberal Democrats

I've lived in the Severn ward in Frampton-on-Severn since 1991 and I've been on the parish council since 1998.

I was chairman of the council for four years until I became seriously ill in 2012. I'm now partially disabled so I know how important it is that all the organisations that provide help - the county and district councils, the NHS and voluntary organisations - work together.

Now the Local Plan for Stroud District is agreed we must make sure that the new developments are sustainable with a good mix of affordable housing. We also need some small-scale development of affordable housing in our villages so our young people who want to stay can afford to do so.

Reopening the Stroudwater canals is another important development which will bring more leisure opportunities and local jobs; again, developments must be well planned and sustainable.

Central government is continuing to cut funding for local councils so we will all need to work together with voluntary organisations for keep local services going.