2016 City of Lincoln Council election candidates – Witham ward

Ten candidates from five parties are standing in Witham 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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Funmi Adeyemi – Labour

Age: 60

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?

If elected I aim to address:
1. Unemployment and poverty – Hold regular surgeries and sign post people to where they can get the help and supports -Organise regular job fare with local companies in the community.
2. Prevent isolation and loneliness among our elderly – Organise community activities for the seniors to meet and socialise with others within the community.
3. Childcare and youth community involvement -if elected I hope to advocate for a protected play areas for our kids, where they can be constructively involve after school and at weekends. With the aim to relieve the stress and cost of childcare.

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

I have acquired lot of skills and knowledge over many years that will help me to do my duties efficiently. I am a good listener and a naturally kind individual who love to support and help others that need my help. I respect the views of others and threat every human being with respect and dignity.

I am conversant with both the NHS healthcare system and the social care delivery as a provider of social care. I appreciate the effects that some of the social problems such as poverty, unemployment, loneliness, relationship instability and domestic abuse have on families.

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

I am a perfectionist who hates failures.

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Elizabeth Bathory-Porther – Green

[No picture provided]

Age: 30

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?

I think the main issues in Witham Ward are traffic and crime. The traffic in the area almost stands still during the morning school run and rush hour, leaving drivers exasperated, and children late, and with crossings few and far between, makes this an issue.

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

I want to tackle the littering which has been brought to my attention, and the antisocial behaviour, which I know is a problem in Witham (formerly Bracebridge). I want to help the people of Bracebridge Ward see their area as they know it should be: clean, safe and a community again.

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

That I’m keen on health and fitness, I enjoy cycling to work everyday and that I strive to push myself.

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Bill Bilton – Labour

Age: 54

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?

A lack of youth activities. I have had a number of surveys carried out. I am currently in negotiations for funding to provide a sport /activity wall and shelter.

Parking outside of schools, still evaluating information from the last two public meetings. Holding talks with the highway authority and the schools.
Dog fouling of pavements. I was successful in persuading the council to increase the number of wardens. I am still asking for an increase in bins.
Speeding on Brant Road. I had a survey carried out, and am negotiating with road safety to have an active speed campaign.

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

As currently the only Labour councillor for Witham (Bracebridge) ward, I do get to talk directly to the council leader and portfolio holders of the city council.

When elected four years ago, I re-introduced ward surgeries held within the ward, and have managed to solve all residents problems brought to my attention during these.

I have attended all council meetings and committees and ensured Witham (Bracebridge) gets their voice heard.

I also sit on the Witham Internal drainage board, which I feel is important, as the river is a prominent feature of the area.

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

As a young boy I was a member and sang in the choir at All Saints Church. We were paid to sing at weddings on Saturdays, I may even have sung at your wedding.

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Andrew Byrne – Liberal Democrats

Age: 51

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?

Anyone trying to get to and from the ward every weekday morning and evening will tell you that transport infrastructure needs sorting. We need closer working with the county council so as they understand the impact and effect these issues have on the ward. I would also like to see us progress to being a cyclist friendly city.

How we keep the area clean and tidy is high on the agenda. I would like to see better use of our green and open spaces, making them more secure so youngsters can use them without worrying what might happen to them.

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

I have served in the RAF for 22 years travelling the world and experiencing other cultures, seeing how they face their challenges; in many cases much poorer cultures than ours.

I was a Practice Manager in a GP surgery for five years so understand the frustrations that patients and staff face. Now Business Manager for Women’s and Children’s Services for United Lincolnshire Hospitals I see additional challenges in the NHS. We need to think differently in how we provide for the needs of the population and understand the value of what we provide and the difference those services make.

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

I have a daughter, a local teacher, and a son studying to be a doctor. I left school at 16 and initially spent time on a Youth Opportunity Scheme before joining the RAF the day before my 18th birthday, university not having really been on my agenda.

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Thomas Dyer – 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?

There are many issues, 100 words isn’t enough. Dangerous parking on our busy roads is a massive issue it’s putting the elderly and children at risk. I’ll work with our county councillor to have more safety measures put in place for the most vulnerable in our community. I am strongly against any building on our greenfield sites. We have beautiful greenery in our community and I’ll never allow any building on these sights. Our ward has a shortage of litter and dog waste bins. This would be something I’d seek to address keeping our community litter free.

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

I’m young, proactive, enthusiastic and determined to make a positive impact in Witham. I’ve spoken to hundreds of residents across the community and I genuinely care about people’s problems. I’ll always put you first and stand up for our community. I want to be able to give the young people of Witham a voice, giving every generation the chance to shape our city. By working with my other colleagues I know we’ll make this city better. Give me the chance to be your voice at city hall and I will not let you down. I’ll work hard for everyone.

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

For the majority of my teenage years I was an Air Cadet, I was given the opportunity to fly in several different types of RAF helicopters, my favorite being the Chinook. My experiences in the ATC have shaped who I am today. It’s something I don’t talk about enough!

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Jane Loffhagen – Labour

Age: 57

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?

Issues that have been raised with me in Witham ward [used to be called Bracebridge] are about crime and visible policing, parking around schools, closure of libraries and safe play areas for children. There are, of course issues in common with other wards, such as bus routes, affordable housing, transport in general and street lighting, as well as more national issues such as cuts to public services, planned changes to schools [very unpopular] and access to affordable loans for people on low incomes.

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

I have lived in the ward for 25 years and still do – my children went to local schools and played in local sports teams, so I know the ward extremely well. This is a great place to live and we can make it better. I work in public services and use them like everyone else, and I am committed to them being properly funded and not treated like businesses. I am on the side of small businesses and not multinational companies and support Labour policies on standing up for the many, not the few who are very rich.

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

I grew up as as an airforce kid, but absolutely love boats and hate flying!

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Tim Richens – UKIP

Age: 64

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?

The traffic situation on Newark Road. Morning and evening there is a queue from Brant Road back to Doddington Road very slow moving. I would dearly love to sort out the lights at the Brant Road junction which I know can be done. Also I would reinstate the bus service to town on that stretch it is much missed.

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

Being a member of UKIP we are not pressured by a party whip. This is a local election far too much is made by central Government about local election results and how that would be projected in Westminster. UKIP is not like that the councillor is free of Party interferance which makes a refreshing change.

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

My wife and I ran the Fircroft Hotel on Newark Road for many years where so many of our guests were associated with what is now Witham ward I feel like I know them and would like to work for them again.

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Barry Stonham – UKIP

Age: 70

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?

Each member of my ward has differing problems and issues ranging from traffic congestion, flooding, school parking to things that I am unaware of.

I intend, if elected, to be more accountable for my ward. I want to communicate with the electorate and find out from them what they are worried about and not ‘second guess’.

I cannot say that I will do one thing or another as these are promises I may not be able to keep, but I will help people wherever I can.

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

Some people I have spoken have commented on the younger candidate. I am possibly the oldest and have experienced all the problems life throws at us: financial, housing and health.

Because of this there is not much anybody cannot talk to me about that I have not had first hand knowledge of. I do not have all the answers, but I know where to get advice from, and as a councillor I would be able to be constructive in helping members of my ward.

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

I was taught to play the drums by John Baldwin, better known as John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin fame.

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Keith Weaver – 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?

If re-elected, I will work hard to find a resolution to the ongoing parking issues in the vicinity of local schools. I am also concerned about city-wide issues, particularly the transport hub which has already cost taxpayers £29m.

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

I have been a councillor in the Bracebridge area for two years and alongside my Conservative colleagues I have been supporting residents on the issues that matter to them and holding regular advice surgeries.

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

I have a passion for football, conducting various voluntary roles and I am now chairman of the Lincoln Sunday League.

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Matthew Wilson – 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 was elected to serve the Bracebridge area on Lincoln City Council in 2015. In my first year as a councillor, I have held advice surgeries for local residents and contributed to police panel meetings to discuss such issues as vandalism, traffic restrictions and parking around our schools.

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

If re-elected, I will continue to fight for the people of Bracebridge; to take concerns to City Hall and represent your views in an often neglected corner of our city.

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

I have lived in Lincolnshire all my life.