Moseley and Kings Heath Ward
| Published: 7th April 2008 21:57 |
The following seven people have been nominated for the election of a councillor for the Moseley and Kings Heath Ward of Birmingham City Council on Thursday 1 May 2008.
- Alan BLUMENTHAL - U K Independence Party
- Alan CLAWLEY - The Green Party
- Ray GASTON - Respect
- Jane HOWELL - The Labour Party Candidate
- Maura JUDGES - The Conservative Party Candidate
- Peter LAWRIE - British National Party
- Martin MULLANEY - Liberal Democrats *** RE-ELECTED ***
Find out what each of the candidates have to say for themselves.
No official election literature will give you the information to make a direct comparison between the candidates. Elsewhere in the country last year AboutMyArea's election coverage was praised by councillors, candidates, election bodies and MPs - now that AboutMyArea is available in this area we are giving you the chance to compare the candidates. Make your vote count!
Each of the seven candidates was asked to submit a 300 word statement explaining why people should vote for them. These are listed below in alphabetical order.
ALL of the candidates were written to at their official address. They were sent identical letters, first class, on the same day. The envelopes were marked "important election communication" and all candidates were given the same deadline.
Some of the candidates clearly thought it was valid to explain to you, the electorate, why they think you should vote for them. Others, it seems, couldn't be bothered. Lazy? Complacent? Not interested in local people? You decide.
If for any reason the letter didn't arrive, we should apologise on behalf of the Post Office. Although any candidate interested in local news and opinion should be reading their local website anyway. Any late statements will be added, up to polling day - although the date of their receipt will be indicated.
Alan BLUMENTHAL - U K Independence Party
No statement received by deadline given
Alan CLAWLEY - The Green Party
Alan Clawley did not send a personal statement as requested, but after the deadline had passed he emailed a copy of a party leaflet. The first 300 words are reproduced here.
Climate change: cutting carbon
More energy-efficient homes and workplaces - A Green Council will encourage not-for-profit Energy Centres in each ward, with Energy Surveyors ("Green Doctors") to visit and give advice.
Locally-produced renewable energy - A Green Council will support community-owned renewable energy schemes like wind turbines and solar power hire-schemes.
End Birmingham's love-affair with the car - A Green Council will make it easier and more attractive to walk, cycle, or use bus or train, and harder to use the car.
Oppose extension of runway at Birmingham Airport.
A Green Council will take action rather than writing endless strategies.
Less drinks and fewer drunks Restrict the problem - A Green Council will introduce a City wide alcohol restricted area.
Deal with the problem - A Green Council will invest heavily in youth & community services.
Stop the problem - A Green Council will end the current system which moves drinkers from one street to another.
Enforce the solution - A Green Council will empower the police to ask drinkers to stop - or face arrest. A Green Council will tackle the causes of the problem, not just the symptoms.
Justice for Council workers
Equal pay - A Green Council will ensure that years of neglect of our women staff is put right.
Protect pay - A Green Council will not slash people's wages to pay for years of inequality.
Keep our staff - A Green Council will not let creeping privatisation demoralise our staff.
Stop Privatisation - A Green Council will stop all PFI contracts not yet signed.
A Green Council will respect the years of hard work and dedication of Birmingham's public sector staff, seeking to build on that not throw it away.
Word limit exceded. Statement cut short at this point
Ray GASTON - Respect
No statement received by deadline given
Jane HOWELL - The Labour Party Candidate
Our ward needs a Councillor who is trustworthy, honourable, hard-working, and dedicated. A Councillor who will treat local people with respect, and work tirelessly for the best interests of all of the ward's residents.
I am the best choice to be that Councillor. Moseley has been my home for 17 years, and I am passionately committed to this area. I've served on the Moseley Neighbourhood Forum, and I have run a business in Moseley Village. I am currently, with business partners, opening a brand new wholefood shop, which I hope will contribute to the regeneration of daytime business in Moseley. I taught in Birmingham schools for 30 years, and am now a Governor of a primary school in Kings Heath. Being a parent too, I've seen education from both sides, and I have the experience to speak up for high quality schooling for all. I've shown my commitment to the environment since the 1980s, when I was Chair of Birmingham Friends of the Earth, and I see protecting and improving our environment as a top priority. As a regular user of public transport, I will campaign for improvements to bus services, increased cycle lanes and the re-opening of the rail link between Kings Heath and the city centre.
Having worked for Birmingham City Council until recently, I know the organisation of the Council well. As a trade union representative, I defended Council employees affected by the Tory and Lib Dem Council's appalling treatment of its workers that has driven them to take strike action over pay and grading.
Over the years I've demonstrated my commitment to the local community in practical and constructive ways. If you elect me on May 1st, we can work together to make a difference in Moseley and Kings Heath.
Maura JUDGES - The Conservative Party Candidate
No statement received by deadline given
Peter LAWRIE - British National Party
No statement received by deadline given
Martin MULLANEY - Liberal Democrats
I have lived in Moseley and Kings Heath Ward since 1993. I decided to run for Councillor in 2001 after getting fed up with Billesley Lane being constantly covered in graffiti and seeing Moseley shopping centre looking a constant mess.
I was eventually elected in 2004 and since then have achieved the following:
1) Reduced the level of graffiti and flyposting. This has been done by removing graffiti within weeks of it being reported and catching graffiti taggers. We are now experimenting with a legal graffiti art zone to persuade teenagers to keep to the legal graffiti art and away from illegal graffiti tagging. Street furniture is also gradually being repainted and last year Moseley won the regional award in the Britain in Bloom competition. It will this year be entered in the national finals. This was unthinkable prior to 2004.
2) Put re-opening both Moseley and kings Heath railway stations on the political agenda. Network Rail have submitted bids to the Government to re-open these stations. We are aiming to re-open them in 2017. This was unthinkable prior to 2004.
3) Planting street trees. Prior to 2004, no street trees had been planted in hard paved areas for over 20years in Birmngham. Using new techniques, we have planted over 80 trees and more are planned this winter.
4) Kept Moseley Road baths open. Prior to 2004, these were heading for closure. We are now preparing the ground to restore them.
5) Started the plan to restore Highbury Pary. Highbury Park now has a full time park ranger - first time in 20years. We are about to start a Historic Conservation Survey which will form the basis of a Heritage Lottery Fund bid to restore the park to its former glory.
