I'm standing in the 2011 local town council elections for the Priory Ward.
I hope to be elected not because I think I have all the answers but because I think
there are some important questions that need to be asked.
Question such as:
What can we do to encourage sustainable and satisfying employment for young people in the district?
How can we help local households to reduce their energy bills?
How do we engage residents' views on the priorities for council action?
From my brief experience on the campaign trail, some people are cynical about the local democratic process and view it as an irrelevance to their daily lives.
I think it is important that the council addresses that apathy and promotes
more involvement with people in the community so that appropriate initiatives can be taken.
Assisting the setting up and functioning of more Residents' associations is an excellent way to do this.
The Town council has the delegated power to introduce change into many facets
of our daily lives. I believe it is time the possibilities were more openly discussed.
