City of Lincoln Council election candidates – Hartsholme ward

A total of five candidates are standing in the City of Lincoln Council elections in the Birchwood ward.

Conservative Ron Hills is defending the seat, with the Liberal Democrats, Labour, the Greens and UKIP also fielding candidates.

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 Benjamin Atkinson – Liberal Democrats

Age: 23

Marital status: Other

What are the main issues affecting your ward, and how would you address them if elected as a city councillor?

Hartsholme is beset with travel issues on both Skellingthorpe Road and Doddington Road caused by the level crossing and increased traffic to the city, and this would be set to increase with the Swanpool proposals.

I think we need to work with our MP and our county council to find a long term solution to the traffic concerns we have and they need to include the Eastern and Southern Bypasses and a Park and Ride scheme for the city as a starting point.

What makes you different to the other candidates in your ward?

I moved to Lincoln in 2010 to study at the University and since graduating have set up my own business. I am passionate about this city and the issues that it faces going forwards. Over the past four years, I have been actively involved in volunteering within the local arts scene and with speaking out about improvements to public transport locally.

Tell us something interesting about you that not many people know.

I am a big country music fan, having spent six months studying in the USA, I covered the CMA Awards in Nashville, TN for radio in 2011. I am currently working on an album of my own material.

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 Biff Bean – Labour

Age: 52

Marital status: Married

What are the main issues affecting your ward, and how would you address them if elected as a city councillor?

Traffic is a nightmare for the people of Hartsholme ward. I’ve lived in the area for 52 years and the traffic on Doddington and Skellingthorpe Road has now become unbearable. We need the county council, city council, Network Rail and local businesses to come together and take a look at what we can do to improve movement of traffic.

My campaign is to find alternative routes, possible road bridge at Skellingthorpe Road, four permanent park and rides (York has six!) and better road layouts. My party, and Lucy Rigby has pledged to make this a priority if elected.

What makes you different to the other candidates in your ward?

For the last eight weeks I have been knocking on every door in the Hartsholme Ward, approx 3500 houses, trying to find out what the issues are for them in the area. I have also been resolving some issues that the local councillors have failed to follow up on. In fact many people say they haven’t seen their local councillor in years!

I will change this. I will have a website for people to come to and I will do regular walking surgeries, where I visit you at your home should you have a problem that needs attention.

Tell us something interesting about you that not many people know.

As a child during the summer holidays in the sixties, I often went to work with my Dad at his sand and gravel works. That sand and gravel company left us a nature reserve that is one of Lincoln’s ‘Gems’.

You will more commonly know it as Swanholme Lakes.

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 Ron Hills – Conservative

Age: 63

Marital status: Married

What are the main issues affecting your ward, and how would you address them if re-elected as a city councillor?

The main issues that are affecting the ward are pressure of traffic on Skellingthorpe Road, the Western Growth Corridor and investment in Hartsholme Park. I constantly monitor all of these to keep abreast of exactly what is happening and how it will affect us; working with residents to try and ensure the best outcomes and improvements for all.

What makes you different to the other candidates in your ward?

I have a proven track record of supporting all residents what ever their concerns and fighting the corner for Hartsholme, because I live here.

Tell us something interesting about you that not many people know.

I was an RAF fireman and worked for several years on the Concorde development project at RAF Fairford.

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 Nicola Jane Smith – UKIP

Age: Not provided

Marital status: Married

What are the main issues affecting your ward, and how would you address them if elected as a city councillor?

Hartsholme Park is our greatest asset in my ward and I really want to work hard to ensure funding and improvements are made to the park, for its future use for everyone.

Traffic is a major issue especially at commuter time and the school run so I do not want to see the Swanpool developed, as this would add to an already congested area.

I want to put a stop to services being closed that are used by the elderly and children in the area to protect ‘Action for Children’, ‘Sure Start’ and Day Care Centres in my ward.

What makes you different to the other candidates in your ward?

I live in my ward and already work hard as a County Councillor for Hartsholme with an 100% attendance record, and I would very much like to serve the people of Hartsholme on the city council with as much dedication.

Tell us something interesting about you that not many people know.

I am completely fascinated with anything to do with the Tudor period and have a huge book collection on that period of history.

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 Peaceful Warrior – Green

Age: Not provided

Marital status: Not provided

What are the main issues affecting your ward, and how would you address them if elected as a city councillor?

Chatting with my neighbours and local residents I find the main issues are the rail crossings on Skellingthorpe and Doddington Road, which are down often more than open. This causes massive delays in travel to work and returning home, also impacted by the Priory School being in the same stream of traffic.

The amount of exits from Birchwood estate is poor, considering it was once considered the largest housing estate in Europe.

If elected I would speak with the planning/transport departments to see if initiatives could be implemented to alleviate this peak time congestion and press for some urgent responses.

What makes you different to the other candidates in your ward?

I’m being the change I wish to see in the world and making efforts to affect the local community by helping in projects for the community rather than corporate interests.

Helping create spaces for the community to enjoy and learn in is one of my biggest drivers. I’m actively involved with a group called Abundant Earth Community in efforts to build low impact sustainable self build homes with less reliance on the infrastructure of our energy companies.

At Stones Place our group are helping to provide a sustainable garden for the people living there, and activity for support network groups.

Tell us something interesting about you that not many people know.

I’m a big fan of up-cycling of waste materials. I help to find homes for things and give them another use. Being creative with helping our planet to rejuvenate. An active womble in Lincoln working to lead by example.

I’m a keen walker, world traveller and I speak Spanish.

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