election special 2017 – marlborough west

Sylvia Card – Labour:

I studied at the L.S.E. and graduated with a degree in Social Policy and a Masters in Health Economics.  I taught Health Policy at Brighton University for many years.

I am standing in this election because I believe that a healthy democracy can only be achieved when alternative voices are heard.  At the moment this is not happening.  Decisions on Wiltshire Council are being taken by a group of likeminded Conservatives, backed up by a diverse group of Independents, who then seek to legitimise these decisions with meaningless consultation exercises.

Last year I campaigned against the closure of the Children’s Centre in Marlborough.  There was not a single copy of the consultation document anywhere in the town.  When I complained to the Leader of the Council I was told the consultation document was online.  The library offered to print me a copy at 7p. a sheet.  Few people knew the Children’s Centre was closing.

In the week the only emergency accommodation for the homeless in our town was to be sold by auction our Wiltshire Councillors weren’t even aware of this. Earlier this year at a Town Hall meeting to discuss issues of Child Poverty none of our Councillors were present.

A drastic reduction in money transferred from Central to Local Government means that services previously funded by Central government are now to be paid for by local council taxpayers.  This includes play centres for children, youth centres for teenagers, social care for the elderly, park maintenance and even public toilets. Opposition to these changes has been remarkable by its absence.  I will oppose any further increase in local council tax because this is a regressive tax that hits the poorest hardest.

Wiltshire Councils latest decision to devolve responsibilities for improving air quality down to local communities cannot work.  Small towns like ours have no powers to reduce air pollution. A Wiltshire wide strategy is necessary to significantly reduce toxic emissions.  If elected I will work co-operatively with all parties and voluntary groups that seek to find workable solutions to the dangerously high levels of air pollution in Marlborough. 

If elected as your representative I will keep you informed about what is happening on Wiltshire Council and I will be active in the defence of those services that we all rely on.

 Nick Fogg – Independent:

I believe very strongly in the principle of independence in local government.  Indeed a little more of it in national government might do a power of good.  With a few entirely honourable exceptions, people elected to represent political parties run worried about upsetting those senior in their hierarchy and therefore go along with quite a lot with which they don’t fundamentally agree.  A good example of this came recently when I was able to ascertain that the amount of money paid out by the council for damage to vehicles or person over the last four years was higher than the special grant given by the Government was higher than the special grant given to deal with dangerously damaged roads.  If I hadn’t revealed it, not a peep would have been heard.

It’s no secret that local government is in a state of deep crisis, with swingeing cuts hitting even the most essential of services.  This has seen the transference of certain powers from the Unitary Authority to bodies like Marlborough Town Council.  I regard this as a very good development.  Local services are best provided locally by those who understand particular local needs.  Part of the current problem is that people feel that they are engaged in a dialogue of the deaf, with overworked officials trying to cope with conflicting demands from all over the county.  I will do anything I can to help this transfer process which will be so advantageous to the people of Marlborough.

We need to make the town safer for all within it.  Some measures The huge problem of HGV’s has been tackled to some extent, but the process of gaining attention on issues that could be matters of life and death should not be like water dripping on stone.

The duty of care extends also to creating a safe environment.  Large parts of Marlborough have levels of air pollution that are not only dangerous to health but illegal.  It would be folly to do nothing about this and to cave in to interested lobbies.

Tamara Reay – Conservative:

I am delighted to be the Conservative Candidate for Marlborough West for the Wiltshire Council elections on Thursday 4 May. I believe that Marlborough West needs a stronger voice at Wiltshire Council, and if I am elected I will speak loudly for local residents to ensure that they get a better deal.

I live in the Marlborough area with my partner Peter, and our young son, who attends a local school.  Since returning to live and work in Wiltshire some 10 years ago I have been very involved in my community.  I am a ‘can do’ person and I have campaigned to accelerate the roll-out of Superfast Broadband to the local area.  I am also a founding Trustee of a children’s nursery which is community-run on a not-for-profit basis, since opening in 2011, the nursery has gone from strength to strength, and now employs over 20 local people and provides amazing childcare for busy families.

My plan is to focus on the following four priorities:

1. Schools – The new school at St Mary’s is fabulous, but it’s clear to me that Preshute School needs replacing as soon as possible and if I am elected I will work with all local parties to find a suitable site and finally find a solution to this issue.
2. Housing – Affordable Housing is a key issue and I will work with the Marlborough Area Neighbourhood Plan team and Wiltshire Council to ensure that the Plan is ratified and put into action as soon as possible.
3. Roads – I will argue for more funds to fix potholes, improvements for Kingsbury Street and Salisbury Road and for improved road safety on the Bath Road.
4. Young People – I will campaign for more opportunities for local Young People and work with local businesses to secure Apprenticeships.

I feel very strongly that Marlborough West has been under-represented over the last few years at Wiltshire Council and you can be sure that if I am elected that I will work as hard as I can to ensure that our voices are heard and that Marlborough gets the best results.

Please do call or email me if you have any comments or would like to get in touch.  I am also on facebook at: tamara4marlboroughwest.  I hope that I can count on your vote on Thursday 4 May.