April 27, 2016 10.37 am This story is over 94 months old

2016 City of Lincoln Council election candidates – Minster ward

Eight candidates from three parties are standing in Minster 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: Yvonne Bodger – Conservative Age: N/A Marital Status: N/A Twitter: N/A What are the main issues affecting your ward, and…

Eight candidates from three parties are standing in Minster 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:


Yvonne Bodger – Conservative

Yvonne Bodger - Conservative

Yvonne Bodger – 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 elected as a city councillor?

Dog fouling, fly tipping and a lack of sufficient car parking bays are ongoing concerns in the Ward as is the closure of local shops. I would seek an open dialogue with the County Council Highways Department to address the issues of parking and hold regular surgeries to discuss any worries the residents are concerned about. I would seek to increase the use of the Sudbrook Drive community centre for sport and activities for residents of all ages.

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

I am a trained bereavement counselor and a good listener and have a good track record of assisting people to sort out their problems. I like people very much and consider that I am approachable and easy to talk to.

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

I worked for the NHS as the Voluntary Services Organiser and set up the service in the St Georges and the County Hospitals and met a variety of interesting and inspiring people. The service is still going strong with many dedicated people giving their time for the benefit of patients.


Dave Callow – Labour

Dave Collow - Labour

Dave Callow – Labour

Age: 38

Marital Status: Married

Twitter: Bluejay75Dc

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

Many of the people I have spoken to on the doorstep have expressed a concern for the next generation, in particular the availability of affordable housing. This key issue is being addressed by Lincoln Labour Party with the pledge to build 500 new council houses and affordable homes in the next five years.

I have also seen how many families have had to struggle against the threat of poverty. With this in mind I will advise, support and represent people in Minster Ward against the Conservative government’s harsh policies.

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

I am a working class family man and have worked in many jobs throughout my life. I have been a landscape gardener, a factory worker and an office worker. My family and I have experienced the effects of poverty, struggling to pay the bills and having to use a food bank. I believe that this has given me a deeper understanding of what can happen to any of us at some point in our lives.

Although I have now began to develop a career, I am still very much guided by values of fairness and a society that benefits all.

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

Some say I was born a decade too late as I am a huge fan of the Beatles, The Moody Blues and Simon & Garfunkel. These groups are why I began playing the guitar. Whilst kids put this on hold I plan to get back to music one day soon.


James Easter – Liberal Democrats

James Easter, Liberal Democrats

James Easter, Liberal Democrats

Age: 24

Marital Status: Engaged

Twitter: N/A

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

We need to have a decent public transport infrastructure to help those that rely on this service. The area needs a bus route that better serves the area in the evening and improvement need to be made on Sundays too.

We should also be investing in cycle routes from Minster ward to the City Centre and other destinations that are safe for cyclists. This would promote greener modes of transport and also the health and well-being of residents.

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

I am fairly new to politics and am standing for the council as I want to make improvements to people’s everyday lives. I am particularly interested in improving life for children and young people as I have worked in education and feel that someone with my experience would be a benefit to the council.

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

N/A


Tony Higgs – Conservative

Tony Higgs - Conservative

Tony Higgs – 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 elected as a city councillor?

I am well aware that parking issues near Broadway, Stonefield Avenue, Middletons Field need to be addressed and that anti-social behaviour continues to be a worry for many residents across our area. I am committed to tackling these issues if elected. I also believe that problems with littering and dog fouling need to be addressed.

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

I have been living in Minster ward for seven years and have seen significant changes. Part of the 7 years were spent as a member of the Lincoln Tenants Panel and was elected chairmen by my peers. A wide variety of issues were raised with City of Lincoln Council officers. On many occasions officers would need to research issues and come back to the panel with answers.

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

I have a B Tec in Travel and Tourism and then worked as as a Holiday Rep in the Algarve Costa Blanca Menorca to name a few.


Liz Maxwell – Labour

Liz Maxwell - Labour

Liz Maxwell – Labour

Age: 68

Marital Status: Married

Twitter: N/A

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

As an existing city councillor I know that the main issues that people are concerned about are dog fouling, anti-social behaviour, car parking and affordable housing.

The current Labour controlled council is addressing dog fouling by issuing on the spot fines to offending dog owners and this is planned to continue. Reported incidents of anti-social behaviour are always and will continue to be vigorously followed up by council officials and the police.

Some measures have been being taken to control irresponsible car parking and more affordable housing will be provided through the city council’s programme to build new homes.

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

Being retired and living in the ward I am available to talk to residents at any time about specific issues that directly concerned them. As I have been a city councillor for the last two years so I am already well aware of the main issues.

I also have a good working knowledge of the city council’s services and as such as able to help residents with most of their particular problems.

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

I will be celebrating my 50th wedding anniversary later this year.


Nicole Pouncey – Liberal Democrats

Nicole Pouncey - Liberal Democrats

Nicole Pouncey – Liberal Democrats

Age: 29

Marital Status: Married

Twitter: NDPouncey

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

As a resident of Minster ward, I am aware that there has been concern about rising crime rates. Should I be elected I would be keen to work with residents on crime prevention and neighbourhood watch schemes.

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

As a life long resident of Lincoln and a resident of Minster ward for 4 + years I feel I have a greater understanding and love for the area needed to fully and passionately work for any issues it may face.

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

My house was once the home and school of the great mathematician George Boole.


Christopher Reid – Conservative

Christopher Reid - Conservative

Christopher Reid – 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 elected as a city councillor?

Minster is a very diverse ward and as such there are differing issues across the ward. Parking is a particular issue for a number of residents, if elected I would seek to work towards finding a solution for this repetitive issue, I would consult with residents as to how this would best be achieved.

I also believe that problems with littering and dog fouling need to be addressed, littering with the help of community clean-ups I would organise and dog-fouling by the provision of a greater number of dog mess bins across the ward.

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

I am strongly of the opinion that a Councillor should be a representative of the people that have elected them. If elected I would fight for the needs of the residents above all others. The most important thing for me would be representing my residents, I would hold regular surgeries and strive to make myself always available for anyone in need of my help. As a younger candidate I would also hope to be able to represent the views of a broader section of the ward and help to build a greater sense of community between students and residents.

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

I spent the night sleeping rough for local charities in 2015.


Naomi Tweddle – Labour

Naomi Tweddle - Labour

Naomi Tweddle – Labour

Age: 27

Marital Status: Single

Twitter: naomitwedd

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

One of the main issues affecting Minster Ward is the lack of affordable housing. Our Labour Council is starting an ambitious and exciting project to build more houses here on the ward which will mean there is more affordable housing available. I would really enjoy being a part of the project as it develops as a Councillor.

Car parking is also a big issue in the ward as there is not enough car parking available for residents. I would like to try to work with the council to improve this where possible.

I also believe the environment is an important issue to address. I want to work with colleagues, if elected, to try to ensure there is less litter and dog fouling in the area and generally keep our environment clean.

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

I have lived in the ward for all of my life and as such I think I have a really good understanding of the issues which affect the residents. I think it is important to listen to the residents and act on issues they believe are important.

I am a trained solicitor and now work for Unison, I resolve people’s issue at work on a daily basis. I think this problem solving and pragmatic approach to issues will enable me to be a great councillor for my ward.

I am young with new ideas and I think I will bring a fresh perspective to the council.

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

I have 6 brothers and one sister. I really love being part of a large family!