Gresford Election Candidates 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! If there is not a reply on here from a candidate, we didnt get 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!

Gresford East & West (1 seat)
Bailey – Welsh Labour
Blackmore – Welsh Liberal Democrats
Bradley – Welsh Conservatives

Bailey – Welsh Labour

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

I am standing for Labour-too socially concerned to be Tory-too outward looking to be a Nationalist (take your choice) and too straightforward to be a Lib-Dem. As for independents in more than 20 years have only met 3 who fit that bill.

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

To fight for the community I have made my roots in . Locally whilst Wrexham CBC have monies in the locker some of our roads are in a terrible state.

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

Having 15 years previous experience I know when you can make a difference or when you win a cause that is the essence of politics.

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’?

As I do at the moment I will be active in my community-be visible and listen.

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

NOT BY HAVING A POLITICAL POLICE COMMISSAR-but by working with youth groups-drinks providers-schools & the police.

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?

You would like to think so.Councils should use their clout as employer and as service commissioner to increase apprenticeships. Also both in the village and the town local businesses are just hanging on and we need an urgent review of incentives and burdens for them.

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

The increase of Solar Energy is to be applauded but the implementation needed long term planning . Why not Schools and, Council buildings -possibly the UK governments botched handling did not help.

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

Could not list them all but having a referendum on city status-then ignoring it was a fundamental fatal flaw in the bid.

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

Days on the allotment can be restful, sometimes productive and give time for reflection.

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

When my border collie Dafydd was alive we particularly liked walks in the Nant Mill area.

Bradley – Welsh Conservatives

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

I am standing on behalf of the Welsh Conservative Party, as I believe we need to bring transparency, accountability and value for money to local government.

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

My priority will be to stand up for local residents. I have already met a large number of people to discuss their concerns, and it is my aim to address the problems which really matter to people. These include campaigning for improvements to our roads and pavements, keeping council tax as low as possible, and working with our local police to reduce anti-social behaviour, especially in our parks.

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

I believe that Gresford has been let down by the other parties, and that they need someone who can champion our residents’ causes and address their concerns. I believe honesty and hard work are the best approaches to take, ensuring that Gresford’s voice is heard, and being open about what we are achieving, and where difficulties may lie.

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’?

Throughout the last few weeks I have been out meeting as many local residents as possible, in order to hear their concerns and what can be done better in Gresford. This is something which I pledge to continue, as it is our job as councillors to represent you and fight for what matter to you. I will ensure that residents are kept up to date with what we, Wrexham Conservatives, are doing in Gresford, and on the council as a whole.

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

Identifying problems and ensuring our police are informed about them is the first priority. This can only be achieved by listening to local people; something which I have already actively been doing. Furthermore, working with local community groups to ensure that there are adequate facilities for our residents, especially our younger residents, is a must.

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?

I believe that the local authority does have the ability to improve economic and job opportunities. We have already been campaigning hard to make Wrexham as business-friendly as possible, and will push harder for this. It is our belief that by freezing council tax, scrapping business rates for small firms, and ensuring our schools have adequate investment, we can encourage local businesses and inward investment.

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

I believe that introducing free car-parking in some of our car-parks and cutting market rents (even temporarily) are a step in the right direction towards ensuring that Wrexham has a thriving town-centre.

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

Raising council tax affects everyone in our borough, especially in difficult economic times. The Labour administration in Cardiff (with the assistance of the Lib Dems) voted not to introduce a council tax freeze across Wales, despite being given £40 million by the UK government to do just that; yet a number of Conservative-led councils in Wales have frozen council tax this year. We must do more for less.

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

I very much enjoy going for a walk in Gresford Quarry, and am following with great interest the plans for its development.

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

My best memory connected to Wrexham is a very recent one, and that is going around and talking to local residents. I have been delighted by the pride that people in Gresford have for our village, thrilled to hear of all the hard-work local community groups already do, and encouraged by the support that my campaign already has.

Blackmore – Welsh Liberal Democrats

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

I align myself to the Welsh Liberal Democrats because I believe they work for the Community of Wrexham and surrounding Villages

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

If I am re- elected my aim is to continue the good work I have accomplished over the last 4 years working with the Residents of Gresford, I am confidant that the roads around the Village still not re-surfaced will be done this Summer / Autumn.

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

I would like to continue as Councillor for Gresford because I really enjoy the ‘hands on’ approach, responding to E mails and phone calls and pointing people in the right direction, visiting residents and getting jobs done. I am honest enough to say I cannot perform miracles but I will have a good try !

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’?

I am resident in the Village of Gresford, shop in the local shops and have been fully involved in Village life for more than 30 years engaging in paticular with the Young people and recently the Senior residents of Gresford, so always in touch with the local voters.

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

Anti Social behaviour is a problem in most of the Wards, engaging with the young peolpe by inviting them to Community Council Meetings to voice their opinion is vital.

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?

I feel the priority actions for Wrexham Authority are the setting up of Apprentiships for anybody to engage in , regardless of age, everybody needs a purpose to get up for each morning, this would improve job opportunities by giving people the experiences they need to apply for a job and write on their CV.

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

The Council has begun to listen to the people of Wrexham, the residents asked for a better deal on car parking fees and a means of transport to Eagles Meadow from the town centre and these have moved forward.

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

I have to be honest and say I do not like Eagles Meadow, it is too far out of town and left the centre with no good quality food outlets [M&S!] or QUALITY fashion shops.

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

In the local area of Gresford I just enjoy walking my dog round such a beautiful village, the Lake is a credit to the local residents who maintain the area. A very special village with a great Community spirit.

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

My best memory of Wrexham ! well I think Wrexham Museum has been re-furbished to the highest standard it is a great place to visit and have coffee.