ON Thursday 6th March voters will be going to the polls to elect a new Wiltshire councillor for the Ethandune Ward.
The candidates for this by-election are Rod Eaton (UKIP), Carole King (Liberal Democrat), Jeremy Wickham (Conservative), Shaun Henley (Labour) and Francis Moorland (Independent).
The vacancy arose after the death of councillor Linda Conley last year. The ward covers the villages around Westbury including Dilton Marsh, Bratton, Edington, Coulston, Heywood and Hawkeridge. The person chosen will become the fourth member of the Westbury Area Board.
Carlton Brand, Wiltshire’s returning officer, said, “We want as many people to vote and be engaged in this by-election as possible. Elected members to Wiltshire Council are responsible for many of the vital day-to-day services residents use including expenditure of more than £800million per year. So I hope people come out to the polls and have their voice heard.”
For more information on the elections, including polling stations, visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council/elections/forthcomingelections.htm
The Candidates in their own words:
Carole King – Liberal Democrat candidate
Francis Moorland – Independent candidate
Road Eaton – UKIP candidate
Shaun Henley – The Labour Party candidate
Jerry Wickham – The Conservative Party candidate
Carole King
I moved to Wiltshire in the early 1980’s and then on to Westbury with my two children in 1997 from the village of Dilton Marsh.
I have recently retired from a long and successful career in social work and an NHS manager specialising in Community Mental Health Services. I am currently Chair of our Community Area Partnership (BA13), treasurer of the Heritage Society and a volunteer driver for the Link Scheme. I have been a committed member of Westbury Leigh and Stormore Baptist Church for more than 20 years.
Putting people first has been my life’s work and all these experiences have shown me that you get the best out of and for everyone if you work alongside others. Should I be elected, I would want us to work together for our communities.
Feedback from my surveys and visits to your door have highlighted your concerns for traffic speeding through your villages, dog fouling, protection of our special landscape areas, and the concern you have that certain planning decisions are being imposed in your community which you don’t want. I will not support any local development that is not beneficial, sustainable or supported by your community.
Francis Moorland
West Wiltshire born and bred, Francis has 14 years’ service on Dilton Marsh Parish Council and 11 on Heywood.
A vote for Francis is a vote for –
• Resistance to Council Tax increases
• Common sense in decisions
• Practical help for people with problems
• Someone who will work hard for you on local issues
• Independence from party politics
• A strong rural voice
“I am against wind turbines in Ethandune, new housing off Church Road, Heywood, and any further development in the Dilton Marsh and Penleigh rural buffer.
“I look forward to continuing the sensible tradition of non-party councillors in this area, using the experience gained as a parish councillor. I promise to consider every issue on its merits and fight for the good of Bratton, Coulston, Dilton Marsh, Edington, Heywood and Hawkeridge without a party whip telling me how to vote.
“I care about efficient local services and look forward to serving the people of this area.
“I have been greatly encouraged by the response to my campaign. However, with four political parties also standing this could well be a very close contest and every vote could be decisive.
“I should be most grateful for the support of Ethandune’s electors.”
Rod Eaton
As your UKIP candidate for Ethandune, I am standing for the much needed change in UK politics.
If elected, I will serve my local people.
Married with children, grandchildren and dogs I have spent most of my working life in electricity supply. My experience as a councillor is with West Wiltshire District and then with Wiltshire Council.
I will fight relentlessly to maintain this division’s outstanding natural beauty and rural character and keep it flood-free for local families and farmers, keeping drains and waterways regularly cleared.
Working for YOU, not as a puppet for County Hall, Westminster or Brussels, I can make a difference. Unlike the LibLabCon candidates I can oppose unsightly, ineffective and energy price-hiking wind and solar subsidy farming with the full backing of my party; people NOT politics!
Recent exorbitant pay rises for the ‘elite councillor cabal’ at County Hall are yet another example of the way in which politicians have detached themselves from our people. There is no left and right now, there is just ‘the people versus the political class.’ Help me put the worn-out LibLabCon on notice of retirement. I will fight for a return to common sense and people-led decisions at County Hall.
Shaun Henley
As a local person I understand the issues facing Wiltshire people.
The social housing crisis means our young people are unable to start lives of their own remaining grudgingly tied to frustrated parents. Wiltshire Council has a housing waiting list of over 17,000 yet they think they have done well by building just 1,600 homes.
Full time jobs are being replaced with more part time jobs and things are very tight for many people. The health of the economy is calculated from how many people are in work but because so many jobs are part time this is very misleading. The better off may be doing well but not working people.
Private bus companies have been allowed to cater mainly for routes that bring them most revenue while neglecting others causing isolation in some areas.
Our health service has never been under so much pressure from a cutting crazy coalition.
My motive for standing is simple, it is to protect and improve our way of life for all the people who live here.
Jerry Wickham
I have lived in the local area all my life and have a deep understanding of the specific issues that affect the countryside and the people living there.
I have 30 years’ experience in public service as a police officer in Wiltshire, working with a diverse group of organisations and people.
I have five key themes:
• Protecting our countryside – preventing unsuitable and inappropriate development in villages
• Protecting and maintaining services in villages – keeping shops, post offices
• Addressing the issue of the speed of traffic through villages – supporting community speed watch
• Supporting Wiltshire Council’s financial strategy – freezing Council tax for the 5th year in succession and extra funds for roads, campus and broadband
• Standing firm against proposals for wind turbines in the area
As chairman of a local parish council, I am well acquainted with the work of parish councils, area boards and Wiltshire Council and how each can bring benefit to local communities. Importantly, I am passionate that local people have their voices heard over matters that affect them.
As your councillor, I intend keeping you up to date with issues affecting you, by regular contact with local organisations and residents, allowing me to accurately represent your views.
