2016 City of Lincoln Council election candidates – Glebe ward

Eleven candidates from five different parties are standing in Glebe ward for the City of Lincoln Council elections taking place on Thursday, May 5.

Below is a list of all the candidates standing in the ward:

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Jamie Bartch – Conservative

Age: N/A

Marital Status: N/A

Twitter: N/A

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

Over the last few months, I have been out and about in the ward speaking to residents to ask what improvements they would like to see in the area where they live.

You have raised a variety of issues but a common theme is anti-social behaviour, the standard of the roads and traffic issues generally.

Safety for residents both at home and as they go about their lives must be a priority and I am keen to fight on behalf of residents across the ward to make Glebe a safer place with improved facilities.

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

I am a young and energetic campaigner who is able to keep up with the demands of being a councillor and the representation of residents.

I will do whatever is needed to help the people of Glebe. I will put people before politics and represent residents
effectively. I am an active campaigner in the local area and understand what affects the residents in my ward.

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

I was a member of the scouts for eight years and sea scouts for two.

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Andrew Bradley – Conservative

Age: N/A

Marital Status: N/A

Twitter: N/A

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

Supporting the police to reduce anti-social behaviour in Glebe. Working with the county council to alleviate traffic congestion in the ward and tackle speeding, particularly along Wolsey Way. Also ensure potholes are repaired. Take a firm line on fly tipping.

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

N/A

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

N/A

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Norman Haigh – Green

Age: 74

Marital Status: Single

Twitter: N/A

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

Under the Conservative’s local government devolution agenda, the county council is seeking the abolition of the district councils in order to create a single super council for Lincolnshire with increased budgetary powers.

I am opposed to this because it would be too remote and permanently dominated by the rural Conservative vote. Therefore things would not change much for Lincoln.

Instead I would argue for a return of powers to the district councils on revised boundaries that reflect the natural communities they serve.

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

I have previous experience of serving the public in the capacity of an elected member of the city council. Most of my working life as a teacher and supervisor of vulnerable people in an industrial situation has also involved delivering a public service.

Consequently I know how important it is to control public spending as well as the consequences of cutting public spending especially for the most vulnerable and children’s chances in life.

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

My other interests besides politics are gardening, property management and hill walking with my grandsons.

In the past year we have walked Kinder Scout, Ingleborough, Scafell and Snowden.

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Adam Holman – Green

Age: 38

Marital Status: Married

Twitter: iajhol

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

We need good, affordable housing that meets our energy needs. That means well insulated, draft-free homes with efficient heating. Too many people live in fuel poverty and too much of our costly energy is disappearing into the sky. I will promote energy saving measures and quality affordable housing.

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

I have a real commitment to making our council environmentally responsible. I won’t pay lip service to these issues or indulge in greenwashing. Much of the work we need to do starts at a local level. We need a genuine voice for the future on the city council.

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

I’m an archaeologist and I once excavated a fossilised poo from a Roman toilet in Pompeii.

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Jackie Kirk – Labour

Age: 46

Marital Status: Living With Partner

Twitter: N/A

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

Housing is probably the most important issue in Glebe ward and across the city, as a city councillor I will continue to push for more new build social housing. I will also continue to work towards our Landlord Accreditation Scheme, to improve the standard of housing within the private rental sector.

Anti-social behaviour is next on the priority, creating a safe environment for the residents. Jobs and training, are equally important, improving access to training. Supporting and encouraging regeneration, new businesses and the creation of more jobs for the people of Lincoln.

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

Determination, passion, drive and enthusiasm. Never giving up on what’s most important in life, people. Pursuing and pushing for the best, assisting the residents of Glebe ward where and when I’m able to make a difference. Aiming for improvements to the city for the people of Lincoln and future generations. Always striving forward.

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

For the last five years I’ve been the Church Warden of St Mary Le Wigford Church, which dates back to 980. Plus the City of Lincoln’s Representative for the Reserve Forces and Cadet Association, again for five years and part of the organising team for Lincoln’s Armed Forces Day 2012-2015.

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Stephen Lonsdale – Liberal Democrats

Age: 19

Marital Status: Single

Twitter: slonsdale42

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

Glebe is a ward which has many differing issues. We have the congestion we face on the roads in the area and I would work alongside the county council to find ways to improve this.

There are also areas in which residents are struggling with bills and to buy food. We need to look at ways in which we can support these people. This could mean helping to find work, improve skills or simply encourage employers to pay the real living wage.

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

For one, I am young. A touch of youth can make all the difference in the world. It also means that I have a lot of energy – energy that can be poured into serving the local community.

Back in my native county of East Yorkshire, I was a volunteer for a charity for this exact reason. Too often in politics it is easy for stagnation to set in. If there’s one thing I’m not, it’s stagnant.

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

I have quite varied interests – I’m an amateur actor and a volunteer at the Castle in my spare time. I think it’s important to get out and do things – be proactive! After all, you’ve only got one life, and it is important to live it as best you can.

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Keri Lowe – TUSC

Age: 30

Marital Status: Living With Partner

Twitter: N/A

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

The main issues affecting my ward are poverty and the lack of a decent future for many children and young people.

I would address these issues by campaigning to defend and improve the facilities for young people in the ward, like King George’s field and the St Giles Community Centre.

I also believe that the council needs to step up its ‘living wage’ campaign and start to exert real pressure on employers to provide decent jobs on decent rates of pay, not zero-hours contract jobs which only pay the minimum wage.

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

Unlike the other candidates in my ward, I represent a party that stands 100% against Tory cuts and austerity.

Whilst it’s great that Labour have elected Jeremy Corbyn, the party machinery remains in the hands of the Blairite politicians who vote for savage cuts at local level.

I believe that voters deserve a choice between representatives of parties like Labour and the Tories who will vote to cut our services, and people like me representing TUSC who will fight back against all cuts.

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

I balance activity in local politics with bringing up four young children.

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Fiona McKenna – Green

Age: 33

Marital Status: Rather Not Say

Twitter: N/A

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

Glebe ward is beautifully green and open, I will fight to protect the green spaces for all to enjoy as I did when growing up here as a child. Development doesn’t have to mean losing access to our green spaces which are important for mental and physical well-
being. Many residents are facing hard choices between eating and heating so I fully support investment in renewable technologies and making homes as energy efficient as possible to keep us warm no matter what your income is! By investing in the future of our planet we are investing in our own future too.

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

I grew up on St Giles estate and went to school here. I know this area and have seen it at its best and worst, which is why I believe I can represent residents honestly and to the best of my ability.

I studied wildlife conservation, worked across England and Scotland then chose to come back to my home Lincoln. I am proud of where I am from and want to see this area thrive. It would be an honour to represent residents here, to work hard to resolve issues ensuring that we are all proud of where we live.

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

When I was 8/9 years old I drew a picture of an elephant and sent it to Blue Peter, asking them to stop them from going extinct! To my disbelief I was sent a green Blue Peter badge! This encouraged me to follow my passion later in life!

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Peter McNeill – Conservative

Age: N/A

Marital Status: N/A

Twitter: N/A

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

I am keen to promote wealth creation across Lincoln, understands the importance of dealing with anti-social behaviour to encourage new business and investment into the area and the importance of making people feel safe in their communities.

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

I was born and bred in Lincoln and attended local schools. I studied at the University of Birmingham and the University of Hull, graduating in 2006. I currently work in the jewellery industry in Lincoln city centre.

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

I have been a member of Our Lady of Lincoln church since 1997.

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Ric Metcalfe – Labour

Age: 73

Marital Status: Married

Twitter: N/A

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

We need some better job opportunities, better paid work especially for our young people. We have far too much low paid and insecure employment in Lincoln.

We have a desperate need for more affordable housing for people living in overcrowded conditions and unable to buy or rent their first home. We need more help for low income families who are struggling to make ends meet

We also need to make sure that the council’s services are as good as they can possibly be and that the council speaks up for people.

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

I have represented the ward since 1982 and know the area extremely well and many of the people who live in this great part of the city.

I have a reputation as a hard working councillor, closely in touch with people through weekly advice surgeries and through involvement with the various organisations in the ward.

I provide a strong and effective voice on the council for the people of the ward.

I still have a passion and conviction that things can and should be made even better for local people in our various communities.

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

Another of my great passions in life apart from politics is allotment gardening.

I have had an allotment for the past 40 years and most years am almost completely self-sufficient in vegetables!

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Patrick Vaughan – Labour

Age: 73

Marital Status: Married

Twitter: N/A

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

One main issue is shortage of affordable housing and council houses. We are starting an ambitious house building programme of affordable houses to rent.

Part of the ward has problems with vandalism and anti-social behaviour, which we are determined to tackle with zero tolerance.

Loan sharks are a big problem on the estate. We are determined to tackle these people but we do need cooperation from residents to help eliminate the problem.

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

My two fellow Labour councillors and myself hold weekly surgeries every Wednesday afternoon on the St Giles Estate and every other Saturday morning an advice centre on the Nettleham Fields shopping centre.

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

I have flown a Cessna aeroplane at Wickenby Airfield and enjoyed it tremendously. In 2014 I did a sponsored skydive at Langer Airfield together with Kate Fenn (civic manager) in aid of Motor Neurone Disease Charity.