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

2016 City of Lincoln Council election candidates – Carholme ward

Ten candidates from four parties are standing in Carholme 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: Matthew Fido – Conservative Age: 23 Marital Status: In a relationship Twitter: Matt_Fido What are the main issues affecting your ward, and…

Ten candidates from four parties are standing in Carholme 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:


Matthew Fido – Conservative

Matthew Fido - Conservative

Matthew Fido – Conservative

Age: 23

Marital Status: In a relationship

Twitter: Matt_Fido

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

I feel that a lot has been made of the divide between the student population and the local residential population. I would like to build bridges and increase understanding in the relationship between all people in the area and bring back a sense of community to a fantastic part of the city.

I want people to feel safe in their community by working with police to control and prevent anti-social behaviour. In addition, I want to protect the West Common, by keeping a beautiful green space available for families and groups to
appreciate for generations to come.

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

I want to bring fresh ideas and provide a different perspective towards the issues that we’ll face as a council. I want to break the catch 22 cycle of young people not feeling involved enough with their democracy by providing a voice for them. This can be achieved by reaching out towards families and parents, by providing opportunity for young people to feel part of society and that they’ve invested in society, making sure they don’t feel left behind.

I am a big believer in equality of opportunity and want to provide hand-ups, not hand-outs.

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

I was the first ever Youth Representative on Coningsby Town Council in 2009. I also regularly play in charity football matches and have helped charities such Breast Cancer Care UK, Tackle Africa, Prostate Cancer UK, the ABF Soldiers’ Charity and Help For Heroes.


Karen Lee – Labour

Karen Lee - Labour

Karen Lee – Labour

Age: 57

Marital Status: Single

Twitter: karenelee_karen

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

1. Community Cohesion (1) – Article 4 will mean that the city council can pursue rogue landlords more effectively and improve housing locally.

2. Community Cohesion (2) I have worked hard on the Carholme Gala for many years. It is an event which brings together all sections of our community and is a brilliant day out for locals. I am already working on this year’s Gala and I hope it will be the biggest and best yet.

3. Residents’ Parking – As a resident and driver I hope the RPS consultation will ensure a better deal for local drivers.

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

I have had the privilege of representing Carholme for many years now and I think my experience, commitment, enthusiasm and love of the ward are clear for all to see. It was a great honour to represent Carholme as Lincoln’s Mayor in 2012.

I live in the heart of the West End and my neighbours are both long term residents as well as students. I know first-hand what is happening locally and have a good network of local residents who keep me informed about everything I need to be aware of locally.

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

I left South Park Grammar School with few academic qualifications. I’ve worked hard all my life and only gained my A-Levels aged 40, qualifying as a nurse 3 years later. Prior to that I have done all kinds of work, including a stint working in a Chinese take-
away.


Benjamin Loryman – Green

Ben Loryman - Green

Ben Loryman – Green

Age: 44

Marital Status: Living With Partner

Twitter: BenBloryman

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

One of the biggest concerns affecting people in Carholme Ward are the pressures on traffic and parking created by turning family homes into multi-occupancy houses. I would approach the universities to offer them help setting up ‘car clubs’, so that students (and local people) didn’t need to park as many cars on our congested streets.

All of us are concerned about the pressures on the local NHS services created by the shortage of clinical staff. If elected, I would use my position to encourage the university and local NHS to work together towards creating a Medical School for Lincolnshire.

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

I am a local A&E consultant which gives me the advantage of understanding how the local NHS works. Healthcare is not usually seen as an issue where local councillors can make a difference. However, the local councils have a Health Scrutiny Committee which can hold local NHS bodies and the universities to account. I would like to use this to encourage them to work together to provide a Medical School for Lincolnshire. I would also use it to challenge stealth privatisation, where local NHS services were being taken over by profit making healthcare corporations from the US.

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

I have a narrowboat moored near Lincoln which I use with my family on the waterways of Lincolnshire. My lifetime ambition is to be the first person to take a narrowboat through the Grand Canal in Venice.


Neil Murray – Labour

Neil Murray - Labour

Neil Murray – Labour

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?

If re-elected, I would look to see through the full implementation of the Article 4 Directive, to support changes in the Residents’ Parking Scheme.

I would also protect Lincoln’s common land, support the Labour Group’s housebuilding programme and lead on the regeneration of the central area of Lincoln.

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

I have represented Carholme ward since 1998 and am currently Chairman of the City Council’s Commons Advisory Panel and the Carholme Community Forum. I work as a Branch Support officer for the  Lincolnshire county branch of Unison helping people with problems at work.

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

N/A


Christopher Padley – Green

[Picture not supplied]

Age: 69

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 whole city is suffering from over-development based on ever more need for car travel. Carholme ward suffers from this. We have to switch to a planning model based on reducing the need to travel by creating a more localised model of development andservice provision so that accessing them can be a pleasant walk instead of a nightmare car journey.

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

I’m prepared to say hard truths about the future.

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

N/A


Katya Roures Salvador – Conservative

Katya Salvador - Conservative

Katya Salvador – 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?

It has been brought to my attention by some residents in this area regarding the environment and sustainability such as the state of the Brayford or the excess in litter around Carholme itself. Hence, my main aim is to reduce Carholme’s carbon footprint and to promote environmentally friendly lifestyles for as many students and residents as possible by encouraging saving both energy and resources within the community.

Also, I am keen to see Carholme evolve prosperity, without losing the sense of community both with local and international members.

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

I am passionate about helping our community, especially regarding the environment and promoting better integration for foreign students within the area.

The University of Lincoln is incredibly important for Lincoln, yet as it expands in multiculturalism some students have struggled to integrate leading to alienation from the Carholme local community. We can share a sense of pride in the area because together we will work to promote international education and supporting students to know thy neighbour.

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

Only a few close friends are aware of my passion for the sciences, not only do areas of stellar dynamics and galaxies interest me, but also cosmology and quantum mechanics, which help us to understand our universe. I keep up-to-date with astronomy news and can name all the constellations!


Charles Shaw – Liberal Democrats

Charles Shaw - Liberal Democrats

Charles Shaw – Liberal Democrats

Age: N/A

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?

Carholme ward is an exciting and diverse ward of the city and as a councillor I would address the needs of this mix. The resident parking scheme is a disaster and should be abolished or residents should be given free passes. The St George’s bus route needs funding and to run all day. We need a public transport all day like the rest of the city. Drainage is also a key issue.

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

I have worked tirelessly for the Carholme and Lincoln West Community without favour and believe passionately in the history of our city and the need for Lincoln and its surroundings to be a unitary City of Lincoln authority.

All our councillors should be fighting for this!

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

With a background in youth and community work, insurance and business I believe in young entrepreneurs being supported.


David Smith – Conservative

David Smith - Conservative

David Smith – Conservative

Age: N/A

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?

I believe a key part of being a city councillor is to hold regular advice surgeries and I will work with all residents and service providers throughout Carholme to deliver excellent public services and resolve issues promptly.

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

My career has focused on improving efficiency, with the last ten years spent in senior management roles with both large and small businesses, frequently doing more for less cost.

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

I lived all around the country before deciding to return home in my mid-thirties, now living in Lincoln with my wife and three young children.


Tony Speakman – Labour

Tony Speakman - Labour

Tony Speakman – Labour

Age: 69

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?

Improving the environment for all residents, including those in the West End. Article 4 will control the conversion of Houses to Multiple Occupation. I will help ensure the council implements this fully.

Residents’ parking schemes are beneficial to the ward, but there is a need to make improvements for residents e.g those who don’t get home from work until after 6 pm. I will support consultation of residents and the implementation of agreed changes.

The vital bus service to St George’s Park was threatened recently by county council cuts. I will actively support retention of the bus if threats reemerge.

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

I have some years of experience from serving previously on Luton and Bedfordshire councils. Although now retired, my career in a large engineering company’s Finance directorate gave me experience of large organisations and how they work. Both these factors have helped me in the four years I have been on City of Lincoln Council.

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

As a blood donor I have made over 100 donations.


Nicola Watson – Green

Nicola Watson - Green

Nicola Watson – Green

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?

Lincoln is a relatively compact city that should be easily accessible by walking and cycling. I think too much emphasis is given to cars and I would like improve the walking and cycling routes in the city.

Crime makes people’s lives a misery. I would support initiatives which reduce things like anti-social behaviour and littering.

Independent businesses need support so that they can flourish and continue to contribute to Lincoln’s distinctive character.

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

A Green councillor would be a breath of fresh air in a council that has been dominated by two parties for far too many years.

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

I lived in the Soviet Union for a year in the 1970s.