HBC Election, 5 May 2022: Liberal Democrat Candidates

Ashdown; Nick Perry

Nick has been visible in the town's politics for over a decade, having been the Liberal

Democrat parliamentary candidate at the four general elections between 2010-19.

He also stood for Hastings Borough Council a number of times during that period.

Whilst he had thought he had retired from local politics he has been motivated to

return by the actions of the Conservative government and those of the incumbent

Conservative councillor in Ashdown. Nick hopes that Ashdown residents who no

longer feel comfortable voting Conservative will be prepared to vote Liberal

Democrat on 5 May.

Baird: Emlyn Jones

'I am a retired GP who has lived and worked within the Borough for 40 years. I have

always been attracted towards socially responsible politics. My campaign priorities

include tackling deprivation and the lack of good quality social housing; as well as

dealing with pollution, particularly along main roads where there are also schools.

Within the Council, I want to see more transparency and participatory decision making.

Using my experience, I want to help statutory agencies work more closely

together for our most disadvantaged citizens. My leisure interests include archery,

walking, music and reading.'

Braybrooke: Veronica Chessell

'As a director of a small business in Hastings with my husband, who grew up here, I

am interested to improve transport links to and within the town; to promote cultural

events, venues and the seaside location - these are huge assets to the local

economy, with potential to increase employment opportunities. As a mum with a

young family, I am grateful for our incredible green spaces and am committed to

protecting and extending them, as well as wildlife resources. Thinking of the world

future generations will inherit is important to me, and I support schemes that will

protect our environment.'

Castle: Jonathon Stoodley

Jonathon qualified as a barrister, working for the UK government before becoming

an official of the European Commission in Brussels where he lived for 30 years.

Upon returning to the UK in 2017 he moved to St Leonards and became politically

active. Having worked to support individuals and businesses in the EU, Jonathon

would like to see a council more responsive to local residents' interests, offering

better value for money, and more supportive of those in need. He is Deputy Chair of

the local Lib Dems and Treasurer of the local branch of the European Movement.

Central St. Leonards: Stephen Milton

Stephen has two daughters and has lived in St Leonards for more than 30 years.

He is the managing director of a local company that implements business IT projects

and provides services for the construction industry. Stephen is a Humanist and

enjoys walking, playing table tennis and keeping track of the latest scientific

developments. He wants to see the Council supporting the town's economic base -

particularly small and start-up businesses - as a means of transforming it into one

of the top places to live and work on the South East coast of England.

Conquest: Robert Wakeford

Robert has lived in Conquest for a number of years but his working life has been in

London, so he has been trying to adapt to life after the pandemic just as everyone

else has had to do! He is married with two young children. He wishes to see better

technology infrastructure for the Borough; greater public participation in Council

decision-making; and higher, greener standards in Planning.

Gensing: Susan Stoodley

Susan was born and brought up in Kent and settled in St Leonards in 2015 where

she now runs a small business. Susan believes that social and affordable housing

should be high on the Council's agenda, and with increasing pressure on Council

finances, it is essential to manage spending efficiently. Neglected areas of the

Borough should be prioritised for funding and development, and green spaces

should be safeguarded. As the Borough copes with the return to a new normal after

the pandemic, it is even more important the Council focuses on targeting funding for

projects that will benefit the whole community.

Maze Hill: Terry Keen

Terry has lived in the borough most of his life and has always been involved in its

cultural life, as a Morris Dancer and musician. A former civil servant, he currently

works in the retail industry. Terry, who joined the Liberal Democrats from the

Conservative Party in 2019, will stand against the local Conservative Leader due to

the actions of the government and the Prime Minister. He hopes that all Maze Hill

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residents who are no longer comfortable voting Conservative will vote Liberal

Democrat on 5 May. If elected, he will hold the Council to account on Planning,

protecting and utilising green spaces, and ensuring that Council Tax is spent wisely.

St Helens: Bob Lloyd

Bob has lived in St Helens Ward for nearly 15 years and is a self-employed property

manager. His daughters attended both Blacklands and Helenswood Schools,

where his wife taught, and he served as a governor for eight years. Bob's priorities

are the building of more social housing, as well as more and safer cycling provision.

Other important local issues are: the redevelopment of Pilot Field, better Planning

decisions, making Alexandra Park safe, and tackling speeding on a number of local

roads. He is the local co-ordinator for the European Movement.

Silverhill: Lee Grant

Lee began his career as a mental health professional and worked as a cognitive

behavioural therapist and a service manager for the NHS in primary and secondary

care. He founded and is now clinical director for Efficacy providing independent

cognitive behavioural therapy to individuals and groups. Lee is a lecturer practitioner

at Kings College London and provides post-graduate training to mental health

professionals. Lee wants to bring a focus on wellbeing and joined-up policy making

to our Council.

West St. Leonards: Stewart Rayment

Stewart runs a small trade mark practice, which was helping Hastings businesses

long before he brought his family here a decade ago. He sees Labour's hostility to

residents in planning matters as highly suspicious and applauds local residents in

their recent success over the plans for the flood plain. A Liberal Democrat Council

would run things differently: Stewart believes the planning system should be a

natural extension of the democratic process. As the former chair of a local

government Education Committee, Stewart says Conservative Ministers have

handled schools & colleges badly in the pandemic. There will almost certainly be a

knock-on effect mental health-wise which East Sussex's already-stretched Social

Services will be left to deal with. Conservative councillors need to be replaced.