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 Uplands, Valley, The Stanleys, Thrupp and Wotton-Under-Edge.

Valley - There are three candidates standing in this ward. Number of seats – one.

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  • Joe Ambridge - Labour

Joe Ambridge is your Labour candidate for Valley Ward. Joe was born and bred in Stroud where he is employed as a postal worker.

He supported David Drew in his election campaign and his interests include cooking, self-advancement, following political events, music and the cinema.

What drives Joe is a dedication to public service and he is committed to continuing the excellent work of our Labour-led and trusted Council.

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  • John Stanton – Conservative

I am an experienced Councillor, having been a member of Stroud District Council from 2006 to 2012. For part of this time I was on the Executive, where I was responsible for waste collection and environmental measures.

In this role I was awarded the National Champion of the Year for Sustainability. My prime aim as Councillor will be to deliver value for money services to the community, whilst maintaining first rate quality. I am an electrical engineer having worked in the energy supply industry, mainly involved with pricing and commercial negotiations.

I also chair a small charity dispensing grants to students undergoing tertiary education and the community library. I am further involved in other community organisations and will be president of his Rotary Club in the next year.

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  • Martin Baxendale – Green Party

Martin Baxendale was raised and went to school in Stroud, and returned to the town to raise his own family here just over 30 years ago.

He is married with three children and two young grandchildren, all working and going to school in the town. He currently represents Valley Ward on Stroud District Council, and also has experience as a Green Party councillor on Stroud Town Council.

Martin is a writer and cartoonist - taking after his father Leo Baxendale who created The Bash Street Kids and other well-known strips for the Beano comic in the 1950s – and he owns and runs a small book publishing business.

His priority as a district councillor is fighting to protect the green fields with high landscape value around Stroud from inappropriate speculative development, while concentrating much-needed new housing for local people on neglected brownfield sites in need of redevelopment.