Ceiriog Valley Election Candidate Question and Answer

We here at Wrexham.com sent written letters to all 130 odd candidates in the local Wrexham Council elections this year, and here are the replies! Where there is no reply below from a candidate, we did not receive one before the week of the 23rd April. If you are a candidate or voter reading this join in the debate or let us know what you think in our Wrexham Forums!

Ceiriog Valley (2 seats)
Davies – not stated
Evans – Plaid Cymru
Jenkins – Welsh Labour
Jordan – Independent
Partridge – Welsh Conservative
Roberts – Independent

Jordan – Independent

1 – Which party do you align yourself with, and why? (Or if non aligned, why not?)

Independent. The Ceiriog Valley is a community in which personal relationships are more important than political allegiance.

2 – What will be your first personal priority or aim if you were elected?

To get a fair crack of the whip for the Valley. We are very much the forgotten corner of Wrexham and the recent idea of including us within a “city” was ludicrous to anybody who knows the area.

3 – Why do you personally want to be a councillor when so often you just get blamed for problems beyond your control?

I love this valley and believe it has not been adequately represented for too long. I now have the time to do the job properly if I am elected.

4 – Many politicians and local councillors are accused of bring out of touch with voters. What will you do to ensure you stay ‘in touch’?

Regular surgeries in the villages of the Valley and regular meetings with business and farming groups.

5 – How do you plan to tackle or prevent anti-social behaviour in your local area?

Probably less of a problem than in some other parts of Wrexham, but I would ask the police to make more visits to the main problem area. And also to tackle the problem of off-road vehicles, which are also in my opinion anti-social.

6 – Do you think any local authority has the means to improve economic and job opportunities? And if you do, what do you think the priority actions should be?

The authority should be encouraging start-up and small businesses and co-operatives. It can make suitable premises available at fair rent. As this is 2012, they should also be pushing to get good broadband available to all residents.

7 – What do you think has been the best decision taken by the council in the last four years?

Question unanswered.

8 – What do you think has been the worst decision taken by the council in the last four years?

Question unanswered.

9 – What is your favourite place to visit or favourite thing to do in the local area?

Almost anywhere in the Ceiriog Valley.

10 – If you had to pick your best memory connected to Wrexham, what would it be?

Question unanswered.

Jenkins- Welsh Labour

1 – Which party do you align yourself with, and why? (Or if non aligned, why not?)

Labour/Llafur. They are the party of the future.

2 – What will be your first personal priority or aim if you were elected?

Traffic calming measures along the B4500 would be my first priority.

3 – Why do you personally want to be a councillor when so often you just get blamed for problems beyond your control?

To try to make a difference, even if sometimes you can’t and to be honest with people.

4 – Many politicians and local councillors are accused of bring out of touch with voters. What will you do to ensure you stay ‘in touch’?

We already have a newsletter established. I would use this to make sure I keep in touch.

5 – How do you plan to tackle or prevent anti-social behaviour in your local area?

Dealing with crime and anti-social behaviour will be difficult given the 20% Con/Dem cut in the police budget and policing miles away from Rhos. But Labour is committed to better play facilities and relevant and effective youth services to counter crimes born of boredom.

6 – Do you think any local authority has the means to improve economic and job opportunities? And if you do, what do you think the priority actions should be?

We want to work with the ‘Welsh Jobs Fund’ to help get people back into work. The development of tourism will be crucial for the future of the Ceiriog Valley.

7 – What do you think has been the best decision taken by the council in the last four years?

The best decision taken by Wrexham Council has been to call this election to give people a chance to get rid of the Lib/Dem-Independent Alliance that runs it!

8 – What do you think has been the worst decision taken by the council in the last four years?

The worst decision was setting this year’s Council budget that means real reductions in services and redundancies.

9 – What is your favourite place to visit or favourite thing to do in the local area?

I love the ‘Wayfarers Path’ from Lanarmon DC over the Berwyn Mountains to the Bala road. The peace and tranquillity is magnificent.

10 – If you had to pick your best memory connected to Wrexham, what would it be?

I actually shook the Queen’s hand when she came to open Waterworld, the new swimming baths, in Wrexham.