Stroud District Council election - Nailsworth

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.

Nailsworth - There are six candidates standing in this ward. Number of seats – three.

---------------------

• Norman Kay - Green

Norman Kay has been a member of the Green Party for some eight years. He has lived in Nailsworth for almost thirty five years, though originally was born and went to school in London.

Norman is a Green Party Town Councillor in Nailsworth and previously served as its mayor for a three year period. He was a Labour Party elected member of Stroud District Council for a total of some fifteen years (first for Leonard Stanley and then for Nailsworth) until he left the Labour Party in 2003 after the invasion of Iraq.

On SDC he has been chair of its Housing Management Committee and executive member for Resources.

He is a member of the management committee for Nailsworth Youth Club and also company secretary of the volunteer-run Horsley Village Shop. In addition he is an executive member of the Gloucestershire Association of Parish & Town Councils.

At home Norman keeps a small flock of rare breed Cotswold and llanwenog sheep, and has won many trophies in various shows. He is studying part time at the Open University in chemistry and psychology.

Locally he is especially interested in planning matters and in the encouragement, where possible, of social housing.

--------------------

• Steve Robinson - Labour

Steve, who was born and bred in Nailsworth is up for re-election to SDC. He is married with three daughters and five grandchildren.

Steve prides himself in following up residents’ concerns and getting back to them at the earliest opportunity.

He is a founder member of the Community Land Trust in Nailsworth and was pleased to help arrange the acquisition of land to build the first houses later this year.

Steve was instrumental in keeping free car parking in the town and would fight to retain it.

Regarding the re-organisation of sheltered housing in the area, Steve says that it is essential to keep the status quo or increase the number of sheltered homes in Nailsworth enabling tenants to downsize and free up family homes.

----------------------------

• Sue Reed – Labour

I have lived in Nailsworth, worked in Horsley Valley and Stroud District for 32 years.

During this time I have come to appreciate how residents and visitors love our landscape, their feelings of belonging, how they work, their struggles, and joys of daily life.

As a Town Councillor it has been a privilege to work with residents and campaign for local issues through festival, education, walking, cycling, accessibility, social care.

I am standing for District Council for the first time because I feel in this time of considerable change, anxiety and fragmentation of our communities, we need to connect our land, social and civic threads, collaborate, share resources, listen, and learn from each other.

-----------------------

• Charles O’Neil – Conservative

I am standing in the Nailsworth ward. And have lived there since 1996 with my wife and four children. I worked for Lloyds Bank since 1981, latterly as chief executive of one of the bank’s businesses in South America.

I was educated at the universities of Glasgow, Strathclyde and Harvard and for the last 12 years supported a number of educational charities to improve the opportunities of all to receive a great start in life through education.

I am currently Chair of Governors of a local primary school as well as vice chair of a local rugby club and fund raising officer of a local church.

-----------------

• Ryan Davis – Conservative

I am proud to be standing in Nailsworth and Horsley on May 5 for the Conservative and Unionist Party in the upcoming election.

I am lucky to represent such a beautiful area and if I get elected I will ensure that we will keep it clean, and it will always look its best.

You have a clear choice in Nailsworth and Horsley. If you want to keep your rates low, vote Conservative.

Do you want your money to stay safe, or do you want it to be spent unwisely? If you want your money to be spent economically, vote Conservatives.

The local plan is a great framework and we should stick by it. Affordable housing is important for your children's future, and the future of the ward.

I will do my utmost to serve all of you no matter what your political persuasion. I will do a good job for you.

Remember the choice is yours on May 5. I will speak up for all the Nailsworth and Horsley residents. I won't just sit there and let it happen. I will speak up for the issues that concern you.

-----------------------

• Emma Sims – Conservative

I have been a District Councillor for Nailsworth & Horsley for the last four years and understand that rural areas have their particular problems and need to shout to be heard.

I will fight for all our residents; our older generation who want to live in Nailsworth and our younger people, who struggle to find affordable homes.

I support our retailers, lobby to have a good public transport network and cycle friendly car parks, and to get our roads pot hole free.

I'll continue to encourage bike and walk to work schemes and promoting Nailsworth & Horsley as healthy, vibrant hotspots to live and to visit.