LIBERAL DEMOCRAT COUNCIL CANDIDATES INFORMATION 2009

Ray and his family live in Curry Rivel Division near Horton.

Ray’s special interests are the environment and education. He has had many years experience as a school governor, with a three year tenure as Chair of Governors of a special need school, which he successfully steered out of special measures.

Having had a varied career including spells in Banking and the Civil Service, Ray is now a local businessman, running the UK’s only heritage seed and bulb company from his home. 

 

I have lived in Hardington Mandeville with my husband for over 20 years and was first elected to Somerset County Council in 1993. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a County Councillor and representing your views at County Hall. I believe there is still work to be done, especially in protecting rural schools, shops and services. 

Those of us who live in our villages want them to be thriving places where families can safely bring up their children, and where the elderly may enjoy the countryside and make a continuing contribution to the community. An important emerging issue is protecting and creating jobs in the local area.

 

Jenny lives with her husband locally, has two grown up children and has lived in and around Chard all her life. Jenny has been involved in community life for many years, raising thousands of pounds for local charities. 

Jenny was instrumental in setting up the “One Stop Shop” in Chard, to give people the chance to seek advice from local Councillors along with the Police. More recently, Jenny has been campaigning to improve the road surface of Glynswood, after talking to many local residents who were unhappy. Jenny retired recently from being a popular Landlady and local business woman, and would like to commit herself fully to working for the local community.

 

John has lived in Norton Sub Hamdon since 1985 and been involved in the local community as a PTA member at Norton Primary School, and as a governor at Stanchester and Yeovil College - all of which were attended by his three daughters.

John has enjoyed being involved in village life, developing Health Walks, Norton Movie Nites and ‘Norton Remembered’ - a CD of the recollections of local people.

John recently organised a successful Credit Crunch public meeting, to give local people the opportunity to ask local politicians questions about the economy, and to seek advice.

John’s aim is to fully represent the views and the issues which are important to local people.

 

Kim has lived in and around Ilminster for all of her life. She is married with one son who attends Yeovil College.

Kim is already a local Councillor.  She has been concentrating on solving local problems and addressing the local issues, and has been Chairman of Area West Committee for the last two years and Portfolio Holder for Market Towns.

Kim has a good record of getting things done - working with groups to achieve radio link, CCTV cameras, a multi-use games area and drop in centre for young people.

Kim is also involved with the Youth Club, Ilminster Forum, Local Action Group and Wadham School as a governor.

 

Tim has lived in South Somerset for the past 30 years. His wife Ann is a primary and special needs teacher and they have 3 children.

Tim’s involvement in local projects in the Yeovil area is well-known. He was directly responsible for the successful completion of the illuminated parking directional signs in Yeovil, the HGV ban down Preston Road, the ramp and pedestrian crossing at Pen Mill station, and was involved in the leisure complex on the Old Station site, the recently-opened Innovation Centre and ongoing projects such the imminent improvements to Reckleford.

Tim is also actively involved in the voluntary sector, being Chairman of Boards on both a Healthy Living/Children’s Centre and a Community Transport organisation.

 

Brian lives in Hinton St George with his wife. His interests and experience are in education, safety issues, transport and renewable energy.

As a Parish Councillor, Brian was instrumental in having dog litter bins installed around the village. For Hinton Parish Council, Brian manages the Parish Lengthsman Scheme. Brian also helped to set up the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme for Hinton and is the main NHW co-ordinator for the village.

An avid local community campaigner, Brian was a member of the successful Action Group formed to save Hinton St George Post Office from closure. He is also a member of the Crewkerne Community Safety Group, which also involves the safety issues in the surrounding villages, for example, speed watch systems.

 

Dave Greene is a truly local man who, throughout his working life, has been employed in jobs which have been of service to the community.

Dave, now retired, has for the past eight years, been working hard full time for the residents of Yeovil South as your local Councillor. In this role, in addition to helping people with their day-to-day problems and supporting local projects, Dave has responsibility for Operational Resources within the County Council. 

Dave would welcome the opportunity to serve the residents of Yeovil South for a further four years.

 

Having served as a Councillor for the last 16 years, Jill has developed an in-depth knowledge of all of the Communities within her Division.

In Tatworth and Forton, Jill has supported many village events, such as the Annual Horticultural Society Village Show. Jill has also campaigned to ensure that children and parents can walk to school safely on pavements.

Amongst Jill's successes in Chard are many more dropped kerbs to improve access and supporting the Healthy Schools Campaign with seeds and growing space for Manor Court School. In addition, Jill has helped to get roads resurfaced, safety works done, kitchen works for schools to ensure once again hot meals can be offered in schools.

 

John is truly local – having been born in Misterton and lived in the village all his life. Now retired, John is a keen environmentalist and is the Chairman of Exmoor National Park. He has been a Governor of both Maiden Beech and Wadham Schools. John has helped many local people since becoming a Councillor.

John has 3 grown up children, all of whom attended schools in Misterton and Crewkerne. His two grandchildren are at Maiden Beech.

John considers himself a countryman – and is keen on countryside interests and values. He is a keen gardener. He has written a book on the history of Misterton.

 

Peter has lived and worked in Central Ward, but has now retired from running his printing business.

Peter has a superb record of service to Yeovil, and he has helped to sort out problems for literally hundreds of people across our town.

Whilst being on the County Council for the last two years, he has been a member of the Environment Scrutiny Committee, Regulation Committee and the Scrutiny Committee.

For many years he has served as a member of the South Somerset District Council working on the Regulation Committee (Chairman) and the new Milford Hall Development Group. Peter was a keen member of the Milford Activity Support Group - now the Milford Community Association.

I am passionate about our area and am keen to make sure that every Council Tax Payer gets value for money from your Council Tax. I am currently a member of the County Council Executive with responsibility for Strategic Resources & Finance.

My family has been involved in farming in Somerset for many generations and I live on the family beef farm near Yeovil. 

Very aware of environmental issues, I serve on the County Carbon Management Board and am an enthusiastic supporter of recycling in Somerset. I am also Chair of Marston Magna Parish Council and am a former advisor with the Citizens Advice Bureau in Yeovil.

 

Tony Lock – a local man with two children and three grandchildren, has lived in the Yeovil area all his life. He worked for AgustaWestland for 30 years and he has recently retired. Tony is keen to continue to promote local industry and businesses.

Tony has been instrumental in getting many valuable schemes up and running – including the Doorstep Green Project on waste ground at Sunningdale.

Tony was also a key player in getting Police Community Support Officers for the east of Yeovil and is also very supportive of the Yeovil Vision. Tony was Mayor of Yeovil from 2006 – 2008.

 

Carol and her family moved to Ilminster over 10 years ago when her husband retired from the Army. 

Carol joined the Town Council in 2004 and has been the Mayor of Ilminster for the last three years.

Carol has a strong record of action, including setting up the Ilminster Community Speed Watch Group. Carol was also instrumental in starting Ilminster’s Action Group for Community Safety.  Carol is the Chair of the Ilminster Forum and the Somerset Market Towns Forum.

Carol is a member of the Royal British Legion and is the Poppy Appeal Organiser for Ilminster and surrounding area. She also is a volunteer at the Local Information Centre in Ilminster.