Thursday 4th May; polling 7am-10pm

We asked each candidate for 150 words; this is what they had to say…

SOMERSET COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTIONS

Frome North

Adam Boyden – Liberal Democats

I moved to Frome in 2003 and work to improve how new developments affect local people and the environment.

Since 2011 I have worked for residents in the College ward at Mendip, responding to their concerns and working across party lines to improve the Old Showfield and local parks and get them under local control, help save and improve the Leisure Centre, improve new developments, change Mendip policy on council tax bailiffs and Changing Places disabled toilets, and deter fracking, litter and flytipping – my record of action is online at www.adam boyden.mycouncillor. org.uk.

If elected I hope to make Somerset County Council more ambitious for Frome and work with local councils and the community to save evening bus services, improve sports and youth facilities, schools, traffic calming and cycle paths, and address climate change. I also want to send a strong message to the Government on Brexit, the NHS and school cuts.

Pepita Collins – Green Party

I have lived in the Frome area for much of my life and currently run my own business carrying out eco-friendly renovations, as well as being Chair of the Cheese and Grain. My experience as rep for Help the Aged in the South West informs my  concern for better care services for the elderly, and my greatest passion is education – I am Chair of Young People Frome, which exists to represent the needs of young people in the area. I feel that the County Council must do all it can to protect our education service. Frome has some great schools and we must do all we can to help them thrive.

I am also eager to see more affordable housing in Frome, and more opportunities for local employment. I’ve never been a political animal, but I now feel the country is ripe for change.The public can make a difference, and where better to start than here in Somerset?

Linda Oliver – Conservative

I was born in South Yorkshire. My grandfathers and my father were miners. I had a career, in both the private and public sector. The first 12 years of my working life were spent at Sheffield Magistrates Court in administration management. I left at the age of 30 to pursue a career in sales, which I did for the next 12 years, including periods at Smith & Nephew and Kimberly-Clark and finally a multi-national Swedish company called SCA Hygiene, where I was a Senior Business Manager.

Whilst working at SCA Hygiene, a chance involvement in a company-wide environmental project, in which I represented UK Sales, led me down a different path. I was appointed as the company’s first UK communications manager and after two years was sent to Munich to head up the Corporate Communications team. I returned to the UK to get married and settled down in Kent.

In May 2000 I joined the NHS as Head of E-Communications, for what was then 17 NHS organisations in Kent and Medway.

It was during this period that I started to take an interest in local politics and eventually was elected to the local Town and District Council.

Frome East

Eve Berry – Conservative

I was born and bred in Frome. I am a District Councillor for Frome Berkley Down, and I am keen to also raise the town’s profile at county level. A priority is the efficient investment of scarce funds to deliver good education, care and health services, as well as ensuring a fair level of county expenditure comes the town’s way given the high levels enjoyed by the other major Somerset towns.

I am also much concerned that safe movement in and around the town is maintained, and I’m an active participant in Mendip Community Speed Watch. The safety and easy access of pedestrians is also important, both in and around town, as are walkways being clear of overgrowing vegetation and other hazards.

Being on the Somerset Rivers Authority Scrutiny Board, I will also work at county level to ensure the local risks to flooding are understood and dealt with.

Martin Dimery – Green Party

I have lived in Frome for 34 years, after being appointed to a teaching role at Frome College. I spent 26 years working in education and would hope to offer my support and experience to local schools facing shocking cuts in funding.

Having taught Drama, I was heavily involved with the Merlin Theatre. This supported my appointment as Programme Manager at the Cheese and Grain, a post I’ve shared for ten years with the role of Creative Director of the Frome Festival. I’m delighted to have been nominated to stand for election by the Green Party – I have always put the environment at the top of my personal political agenda.

I served as a Mendip District Councillor in the 1990’s, an experience which, I hope, will prove invaluable. Frome has struggled to receive its fair share of Somerset’s services. My hope is to redress that by being a strong and distinctive voice for Frome on Somerset County Council, standing up for the values which matter to you.

Alvin Horsfall – Liberal Democats

I am an experienced local councillor, who has represented residents in Keyford ward at Mendip and in Frome East at Somerset for many years.

I am also a former town councillor who brought the Tour of Britain cycle race to Frome when I was Mayor of Frome in 2008/09.

I have campaigned to improve the Tower View playground and save it from developers, to bring new initiatives to the town, and improve local highways. I have a special interest in economic development, was the first director of ‘Into Somerset’ Somerset’s inward investment company, and I have campaigned for a university in Somerset.

David Oakensen – Labour

I have lived in Alexandra Road, Frome for 20 years now and work locally as a Chartered Accountant. I was a Frome Town Councillor for 8 years and became deputy Mayor in 2011. I have been a County Councillor and a Board member of a Mental Health Trust, and have many years experience of managing Housing Associations  and Almshouses, and as a Trustee of local charities.

My priority in these elections is to protect services with local solutions.  That means taking control and raising taxes if need be to maintain our schools and support our older friends and neighbours.  I want more trains through Frome and better efforts to reopen rail stations to Taunton.

We need socialist solutions to today’s problems, and to remember that Frome is not an island but is and will remain part of Somerset, Britain, and Europe.

Frome West

Jo Beale – Conservative

I run a fitness studio on the Manor Road Trading Estate, and I am working towards expanding the business over the next couple of years in order to create employment opportunities here in the town.

If elected, I hope to help other businesses in Frome continue to create jobs in order to keep our town thriving. At the age of 38, I am the youngest member currently sitting on Mendip District Council, and I’m excited for the chance to bring my own brand of individual energy and enthusiasm to Somerset County Council. I have two young boys and live in Frome.

Theresa Clark – Labour

I am a maths teacher who worked in the Middle East for the British Council before retiring to Frome 11 years ago. I now live here with my husband in Nunney Road.  I was a District Councillor for seven years and keep busy as an active volunteer for the Frome Festival, and other local societies.

My political priority is to maintain standards in our schools and to ensure that we meet our responsibilities for providing care for the elderly and vulnerable. We must also support public transport and retain our library and arts facilities here in Frome.

I will always support the Labour Party in getting value for money and in striving to uphold those standards of public service that provide a safe and civilised environment for all our fellow citizens.

John Clarke – Green Party

I have worked in social care for most of my working life, and I am really concerned at the way vulnerable people, disabled and older people, and those with mental health difficulties are being treated. It is harder and harder for people to access the services they need. We need councillors who will stand against these cuts to vital services.

After living in Frome for over 20 years, I want to see better representation for people in Frome. One of the things that attracted me to the Green Party is the importance they put on local politics and working with local communities. We need to have open, accountable and transparent local government, working with and empowering people.

I fully support efforts towards making Frome a healthier town by reducing traffic flow in the town, enhancing the area for pedestrians, reducing air pollution and improving public transport.

Derek Tanswell – Liberal Party

I grew up in Frome, I went to school at Trinity, Selwood and Frome College; I’ve lived and worked here all my life so I understand the issues you face because they are also issues of concern to me as a local resident.  I run my own plumbing and heating business and I am an employer. I promise to work hard, be honest, to ask the awkward questions. I want to see improved children’s services, adult social care and bus services.

I’ve been the county councillor for Frome West for the last four years and have a reputation for holding the administration to account and getting the job done. I have worked hard to get roads improved, for example in Oldford, Egford Hill, Murty cross roads, a pavement at Marston Lane and many others. We have been badly let down at Somerset County Council with unnecessary cuts that have caused misery to many.

Facebook Derek Tanswell.

Damon Hooton – Liberal Democats

I moved to Frome in 1999 after leaving the Army, and became involved in politics to make things better here. I was elected to Mendip in 2003 and remain a councillor for Park ward 14 years later.

I served on Frome Town Council 2007-2015, was mayor in 2009/10 and Mendip’s vice chairman in 2010/11. I’m involved with Frome Twinning Association and a governor at Critchill School. My wish is to see a fairer deal for Frome, too long the poor relation at County Hall.

Currently the Tory administration oversees swingeing cuts to children’s education, elderly care badly funded, children’s services rated inadequate, and buses under threat. I will also work towards an alternative energy strategy for all which is affordable – only the Liberal Democrats can make it happen, but I will work with town and district councillors of all parties in the best interests of Frome, irrespective of party politics.

• Somerset County Council will send you a poll card telling you where to vote.

For more details about the election, visit
www.somerset.gov.uk/councillors-and-democracy/elections/

MENDIP DISTRICT COUNCIL
BY-ELECTION

Frome College

Carole Bullen – Conservative

I came to Frome 17 years ago, having spent all my working life being a registered nurse and midwife. I am a former Frome College Ward councillor from 2002 to 2012, and  pleased to again seek to contribute to the service the District Council provides to Frome. I have a particular and continuing interest and considerable involvement in the health and wellbeing of Frome residents, including with Health Connections, Frome Leg Club, Men’s Shed, Day Centre, Glastonbury Disabled Forum and Frome’s hospital and medical centre.

I am also keen to contribute to achieving sensible solutions on planning issues,  the continuing provision of good sports and leisure facilities, the regeneration of the Saturday and Wednesday Charter markets, and co-operative working with fellow councillors on Frome issues such as fly-tipping, and the provision of adequate housing, and health and care facilities.

Pepita Collins – Green Party

I have lived in the Frome area for much of my life and currently run my own business carrying out eco-friendly renovations, as well as being Chair of the Cheese and Grain. My experience as rep for Help the Aged in the South West informs my  concern for better care services for the elderly, and my greatest passion is education – I am Chair of Young People Frome, which exists to represent the needs of young people in the area. I feel that the County Council must do all it can to protect our education service. Frome has some great schools and we must do all we can to help them thrive.

I am also eager to see more affordable housing in Frome, and more opportunities for local employment. I’ve never been a political animal, but I now feel the country is ripe for change.The public can make a difference, and where better to start than here in Somerset?

Derek Tanswell – Liberal Party

I grew up in Frome I went to school at Trinity, Selwood and Frome College; I’ve lived and worked here all my life so I understand the issues you face because they also affect my family. I run my own plumbing and heating business and employ people. I promise to work hard, be honest, to ask the awkward questions.

We have been let down by our councillors at Mendip with unnecessary cuts and bad planning decisions. The opposition have failed to hold the administration to account and have let us down badly. I plan to turn that around and make sure Frome College ward gets a fair shout and our share of investment. I have experience as I was previously elected ward councillor. I stood up for residents and have a reputation for getting the job done.

Alex Shingler – Liberal Democats

Born and bred in Frome, I am passionate about the town and everyone being given a voice, particularly young people who are frequently overlooked by decision makers.

Having served as deputy youth mayor for two years I have had experience sitting at the council table and directly challenging councillors. Shortly after this, I stood as a candidate for both town and district council in College ward.

Outside of politics, I am a trustee of Young People Frome and work as an estate agent. The key issues that I am campaigning on are; ensuring that young people do have a voice at Mendip; that fly-tipping is dealt with; the Old Showfield continues to have investment put into it, whilst ensuring that the relationship between the town and district council is significantly strengthened by increasing participation within the community.