Stroud District Council election - Minchinhampton

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 Kingswood, Minchinhampton, Nailsworth, Painswick and Upton, Randwick, Whiteshill and Ruscombe and Rodborough.

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

Stay posted to see your candidates go head to head.

Minchinhampton - There are seven candidates standing in this ward. Number of seats – two.

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• Mark Huband – Labour

Author, businessman and award-winning former foreign correspondent, Mark will bring to his role as councillor all he has gained from years of listening, learning and understanding the issues which really matter.

Mark will champion better housing, transport, healthcare and education.

Preserving and strengthening our community means ensuring that all residents have a say in how we meet the needs of all the people who live here.

This is why the Minchinhampton Neighbourhood Development Plan is so important – not only does it give everybody a voice, it is the best safeguard against speculative development which can damage our community without meeting the needs of residents.

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• Jean Etridge – Liberal Democrats

If elected I would hope to be associated with the welfare of the elderly, concentrating on under-nourishment and inefficient heating.

If it is within the remit of the District Council I would also like to see the establishment of a convalescent home in the district where the elderly could go for a fixed term – two or three weeks - particularly after hospitalisation and before either going home or into care.

The charities I support regularly are The Soil Association, The Refugee Council, Cuba Solidarity Campaign and Amnesty International and occasionally Medecins Sans Frontiere, Unlock Democracy and Oxfam.

I have lived and worked abroad for many years working in a variety of occupations and in London in office management. I put down my roots in Burleigh in 1976 and worked in local firms finishing for the last five years before retirement in Ebley Mill. For recreation I play bowls.

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• Colleen Rothwell – Liberal Democrats

Colleen has lived in Box in the parish of Minchinhampton for over 15 years, and in the district for over 35 years. She has been a Liberal Democrat activist for over 30 years.

She is passionate about public health, and is also very keen that small towns such as Minchinhampton preserve their identity and uniqueness. She believes that we must work towards looking after each other, especially with aspects such as transport and access to health services.

Colleen is the editor of 'Minch Matters', and tries to keep the residents informed about local issues. She also does local voluntary work.

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• Ruth Amias – Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC)

The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition candidate for Minchinhampton is a Biologist working in education.

Ruth is a member of the Socialist Party having left the Labour Party as it abandoned its original commitment to spread wealth fairly through society.

She is active in her union fighting the savage cuts in education and campaigning to restore an education service that provides worthwhile apprenticeships and life-long learning opportunities for everyone.

Her training as an ecologist encouraged Ruth to become a socialist to protect the environment and fight for a society which will supply the needs of all not just profit a tiny minority.

Stroud councillors have warned that the council will soon face insurmountable problems and across the county Labour councils feel compelled to implement cuts.

Unison and Unite local government sections have called on councils to use their reserves and coordinate a struggle to defeat the Government. TUSC fights all cuts, privatisation and academisation.

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• Nick Hurst – Conservative

I am a retired chartered architect, with 45 years post-graduate experience and having run my own business for over 25 years.

I am married with 3 children and seven grand-children. I have been chairman of Minchinhampton Parish Council for over six years, and believe there is significant synergy in being involved in multiple layers of Local Government.

I was first elected to Stroud District Council in 2012, and bring significant experience in the construction industry, especially in relation to design, to the Council chamber. I am the District Council’s appointed representative on the Cotswolds Conservation Board (managing the AONB), and the Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons Management Committee.

I am also been a director of Gloucestershire Rural Housing Association for over 20 years.

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• Dorcas Binns – Conservative

Dorcas has lived and worked in the Stroud area for nearly 30 years. She was first elected to Stroud District Council as a representative for Minchinhampton and Box in 2000 and has worked on behalf of the residents and businesses in her ward.

Dorcas sits on the Development Control Committee in Stroud, also known as the planning Committee, and has represented the views of her constituents with a strong local voice.

She believes in the protection and preservation of vital green spaces, not only in and around Minchinhampton but also the wider Stroud District.

She is not against sensible development and housing where needed, but acknowledges such building should not be at the expense of communities and green fields.

Dorcas works alongside fellow councillor and candidate Nick Hurst, who is also chair of Minchinhampton Parish Council.

Over the past few years, they have worked together as a team and have spoken with and listened to residents with regard to council housing, development and other local issues.

If re-elected, Dorcas will continue to work to represent your views at Stroud District Council.

Dorcas is also a county councillor at Shire Hall, and is a Cabinet Member for Older People.

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• Chris Jockel – Green Party

Chris’s work experience is in environmental and project management in the industrial and commercial sectors: focused on environmental law, management systems, business improvement, energy efficiency and clean technology.

He has worked for a global industrial corporation, as a freelance consultant and as a voluntary director of a community interest company. Currently he is Lead Management Systems Assessor for a global verification and certification body.

Chris believes that an environmentally sustainable future is not only necessary and urgent; but also something that can and will enhance our lives, our work, our organisations and our communities.

If elected to Stroud District Council Chris will prioritise preserving and enhancing the viability of rural and semi-rural living for all ages and income groups.

This includes focusing on:

Safe streets and lanes with enforced 20 mph zones

Investment in the development / redevelopment of affordable homes to rent and buy

Supporting the needs of small to medium size enterprises

Infrastructure and public services - public transport and feasible alternatives, local post offices and shops

Community resilience to emergencies e.g. loss of power or water supply, flooding, extreme weather and investment in household energy saving, energy generation for warmer and more affordable homes.