2016 City of Lincoln Council election candidates – Abbey ward

Thirteen candidates from six parties are standing in Abbey 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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Graham Bratby – 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 particularly concerned about the availability of suitable affordable housing and my priorities are building a strong economy in the city to provide good employment, training and development opportunities for everyone, particularly young people.

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

I am a founding trustee of a highly successful Lincoln based charity for homeless young people which is now in its 21st year, and acts as trustee of a number of other local and national charities to help homeless and disadvantaged people.

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

I have worked in the Lincoln area for over 30 years with wide experience in industry, commerce, training and education and as a Director of Lincoln College for over ten years, giving a unique insight into the work and community of the city.

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Kathleen Brothwell – Labour

Age: 72

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?

Some of the main issues affecting Abbey ward are parking in some of the terraced streets that do not have residents parking. The poor condition of some houses in the private sector are a concern, we are working with owners and landlords to improve the standard.

Fly tipping and dog fouling are also major issues, and wheelie bins being left out on the pavement is also big problem. If re-elected I will carry on working with officers to do all I can to try and sort out these problems.

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

I have been an Abbey ward councillor for 13 years and I know the area and its problems well. I work with community groups within the ward and attend Abbey Board meetings and Tenants Panel meetings. I am a good listener and I always try to help residents with their problems if I can. I worked for 25 years at Lincoln County Hospital which is in Abbey ward.

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

Most people of my age spend their time babysitting grandchildren but for me it is dog sitting a lively cocker spaniel. When I was living in the county before moving into Lincoln I used to play the Organ at Branston Booths Chapel.

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Michael Brown – Liberal Democrats

Age: 24

Marital Status: Engaged

Twitter: michlbrwn

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

There are issues surrounding community cohesion, particularly regarding anti-social behaviour and littering: a Liberal Democrat controlled council would establish a rapid response team to deal with graffiti and fly-tipping.

The area is home to many families and young people and a landlord licensing scheme would help to ensure a good quality
accommodation for renters.

I would personally like to see more cycling infrastructure to encourage people to cycle into the city centre safely rather than taking their cars.

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

I’m not afraid to ruffle some feathers and say things as they are. I feel there needs to be some younger voices on the council and some new ideas brought to the table on how we can solve the challenges Lincoln faces.

I think we can learn a lot from how business, arts and media organisations operate and feel politicians need to see beyond the narrow party lines and follow the evidence when making decisions.

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

My great-grandfather helped to invent the British traffic light system.

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Chris Butler – UKIP

Age: 53

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 have a problem with anti-social behaviour with young people and car enthusiasts being a large issue. A small minority within these groups seem to want make life difficult for the residents. I would work with the newly elected PCC and the owners of Carlton shopping centre to resolve the issues for all concerned.

We also need to have an effective management procedure for problem landlords and tenants alike.

Areas of wards should not be characterised by one group. This works well as the Afro-Caribbean arrivals in the 1950s 60s etc have proven this model works for all.

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

I was brought up on a large council estate in the 1960s, 70s and and some of the 80s. I find it unacceptable that young people will not have the same opportunities that I had with most not being able to own their own home and being trapped in with generation rent, low wages and lack of opportunity.

I have worked for a number of well-known companies in higher management positions. Immigration is a good thing as long as it is managed. My wife is not British born so I have understanding of issues of people arriving in a new country.

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

Working on the South Bank in London the famous model Caprice stopped me and asked me if I know where she could find the offices of a popular ladies magazine. We happened to be standing right outside it. I had no idea who she was at that time.

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Douglas Collison – 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?

Abbey faces the issues of low development and growth hindering its potential to be an even more prosperous ward within the city. If elected I pledge to be active and vocal campaigner within the city council chamber to secure a better deal for Abbey and its residents, securing a better and more stable future for the area.

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

One of the ways I differ from my fellow candidates is my genuine passion and desire to try and make a difference to people’s lives, whether it be minor or significant. This is one of key motives behind many a decision I have made in my life to date; whether it be joining the Army reserves, being elected Abbey community representative or my decision to take up the study of politics.

If elected as councillor I pledge to continue expressing such motives, and using them to fight for the needs of Abbey residents.

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Gavyn Graham – TUSC

[No picture supplied]

Age: 48

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?

The main issues are affordable housing, jobs and quality public services.

We need a mass programme of council house building in order to address chronic storages. This needs to be done by plugging taxes loop holes for the rich. Closing those taxes loop holes, ending funding for wars and scrapping Trident would allow for the creation of jobs and proper funding for schools, hospitals and vital public services.

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

TUSC candidates are the only genuine anti-austerity party standing in these elections.

Despite the positive change at the top of the Labour Party, Labour candidates remain commented to implementing government cuts. Working people still need an alternative to the austerity consensus.

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

I hate fast cars.

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Jac Green – TUSC

Age: 27

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?

For many people living in Abbey, the cuts to park wardens and urban rangers is at the forefront of their concerns. These cuts endanger a valuable community resource; one which TUSC feels should be protected.

If elected, I would ensure that the residents of Abbey feel that they can use the parks in the area safely and continue to stand up to cuts affecting public services.

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

As a TUSC candidate, I fully support a no cuts alternative and will actively fight on behalf of all residents in Abbey for greater equality.

We need a budget that will meet people’s needs, one which does not pass on Tory cuts. Labour councillors have not
been forthcoming in firmly stating that they will stand up to Tory cuts so we feel that TUSC can present a viable, workable platform to achieve results for Abbey.

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

I have been playing guitar for 15 years and have a keen interest in music, particularly rock and punk.

I also write on a regular basis and have compiled several collections of poetry.

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Caleb Harris – 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?

One of the key issues that faces the ward of Abbey, is the issue of anti-social behaviour. It is a blight on the community, which can cause deep distress for local residents who are affected by it.

To tackle the issue, what is required are community based solutions working with the police to get to the root cause of the problems around anti-social behaviour. That way we are not covering over the issue, but tackling it at the core.

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

I believe that what makes me different from the other candidates standing against me is my background. Growing up in a household with parents who are both Baptist ministers, has given me a good perspective on life, and has always made my desire to help those less fortunate than myself greater.

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

I was born in Swansea in South Wales, and grew up in a small town called Neath, with an English father and an American mother.

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Nick Parker – TUSC

Age: 31

Marital Status: Living With Partner

Twitter: nicktparker

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

I would tackle the housing crisis by fighting for a mass council house building programme, the abolition of the bedroom tax, and for the introduction of rent controls.

I would fight Tory government cuts to Lincoln’s funding by building a united movement involving workers and residents to fight for our money back. Not, as one of my Labour opponents in Abbey, by charging people to go to the toilet!

I would fight back against Tory plans (which Labour supports) to create an elected mayor, and fight for the council to hold a referendum of Lincoln residents on this unpopular proposal.

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

Unlike candidates from the other parties in my ward, my fellow TUSC candidates and I have led the campaign to oppose racism and the far-right in Lincoln over the last year.

When far-right groups chose to target Lincoln with three separate protests recently, the response from elected representatives in Lincoln (both city and county councillors and our MP) was to act like ostriches and bury their heads in the sand.

Meanwhile, TUSC supporters stood up against the far-right despite threats and intimidation and mobilised mass opposition to racist division. TUSC is proud to raise the slogan: “fight racism, fight austerity”.

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

I’m going to vote to leave the EU in June. It’s not for reactionary reasons like UKIP. It’s to kick out the Tories! Plus, EU austerity has devastated working-class people in Greece. EU treaties like TTIP give a green light to big businesses to dismantle our welfare state.

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Clare Smalley – Liberal Democrats

Age: 45

Marital Status: Married

Twitter: ClareFSmalley

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

I’d like to try to create a greener, nicer environment for everyone if elected; tackling litter and vandalism is of course a candidate’s go-to issue but for residents it’s a real and persistent problem.

I’d ensure those in need are supported more by the council, when people face difficult circumstances through no fault of their own, the council should be there as a comforting support.

Reducing anti-social behaviour is important, ensuring everyone feels safe and protected in the area they live is crucial. Abbey is a vibrant ward; diverse cultures and friendly residents make it a great place to live.

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

I guess my experience in the ward is unique. I’ve lived in Abbey for over 20 years, bought my first home and raised my two children here. I founded a parents’ support group, Mamas and Papas, when my first child was one year old to help support mothers and fathers in the area.

I currently work as a teaching assistant at Monks Abbey Primary School and I’ve previously helped set up Abbey play group and have been Vice Chair of SureStart Lincoln. I’ve never sat still over my years in Lincoln and standing for city council is my next adventure.

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

I’ve joined the Liberal Democrats! I joined very recently without much fanfare and many of my friends and colleagues still don’t know. I’ve had the warmest welcome and I look forward to continue campaigning long after this May election.

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Fay Smith – 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?

The condition of some of the privately owned and rented housing. Flytipping, dog fouling and bins left on streets. Last year I set up a team of staff who trialled a scheme tackling this persistent problem of flytipping but this had limited success. I have and willcontinue to work with local community groups to try and deal with this. Staff are already following a procedure which reminds residents that bins should be removed from the street after their bin has been emptied. We have recently, successfully, prosecuted a number of residents for failing to remove their bins despite the reminders.

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

My experience as a councillor. I have been privileged to represent Abbey ward on the City of Lincoln Council since first being elected in 1998. I was also a Local Government Officer for 33 years and was also an active Trade Union representative. As well as being born and brought up in Lincoln I have lived in different parts of the city so feel that I know it well although it has changed considerably in my lifetime which I find exciting.

I am committed to continuing to make Lincoln a great place to live and work.

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

Many years ago I was a drum major in a small marching band and marched up Lincoln High Street on a number of festive occasions.

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Peter West – Labour

Age: 72

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?

Many properties within the ward need significant investment to bring up to modern standards. There is also an issue with the relatively high number of properties in multiple occupation and the issues this brings – lack of care of property and refuse presentation are just two examples. We will try to work with landlords to address these issues.

In the council housing sector we need to continue to provide more rented accommodation and, as with, Shuttleworth House, continue our investment in the current stock.

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

Have lived in, and represented, the ward for several years. I have held many positions within the council so have a rounded view of the problems and challenges facing the council.

I am involved with many of the groups within the ward.

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

Prior to coming to Lincoln, I lived and worked in Leeds.

My workiInvolved the manufacture of sweet and bread wrapping machines – very different to my work at Siemens.

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Kenneth Yates – Green

[No picture supplied]

Age: 67

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?

There is too much traffic on our roads. The pollution it causes is often above the legal limit, which damages our health. To reduce the number of cars coming into our city, I urged the council to introduce park-and-ride over 20 years ago. This is still in the planning stage!

The Conservative government’s cuts to the city council have left it struggling to maintain services. I would try to ensure that any cuts do not affect those who are least able to afford it, as well as finding additional sources of income.

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

I am standing for the Green Party which, as well as being concerned about the environment, stands for social justice.

The Green Party believes in a new economics that produces for need not greed, rather than the austerity of the Conservatives. We need to distribute wealth equitably, operate within the ecological limits of the planet, and involve everyone in providing for their families and community.

We need a Green voice on our local council.

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

I was the first person in Lincolnshire to join the Green Party in 1978, and have been active in the Green Party and watched it grow ever since.