Apley Castle ward candidates

One seat available, three candidates

Karen Blundell, Liberal Democrat (Incumbent):

I have been privileged to be the borough councillor for Apley Castle ward for the last 16 years. I've consistently listened to concerns of local residents and have consulted them before taking decisions on their behalf. I keep them in touch with my regular Focus newsletters.

My key local policies:

• To fight for the retention of the Women's and Children's Unit and the 24-hour Accident and Emergency at the PRH. I have spoken out at meetings and attended rallies in support of our hospital.

• I will secure further improvements to our local infrastructure, including our roads and schools.

• I have alerted residents to a number of planning applications and together we have successfully fought off an abattoir and a toilet roll factory. I will always campaign against inappropriate planning applications.

• I have worked together with local groups and helped secure a large meadow as part of Apley Woods wildlife site; I will endeavour to defend our green spaces.

• Liaise with the police force to keep crime in Apley Castle continually low.

• Committed to protect our most vulnerable.

If re-elected, I will continue to engage with residents and work hard for our community.

Becky Eade, Conservative:

Having been involved in local environmental conservation for many years, I am totally dismayed at the massive over-development of housing which has occurred and is still happening within Apley and the surrounding area.

The previous Conservative-run council of 2007-2011 worked hand-in-glove with the Apley Preservation Association over a lengthy period to prevent what has now been allowed to happen under a Labour-run council.

Quite clearly the council is looking at Apley as a means to boost its income and does not care about the consequences for local people!

Very soon we all have the opportunity to say "Enough is Enough" and to pick a local representative who will stand up for Apley and not support the continued over-development of this community.

I have met many local people who agree with me that those who voted for the current Local Plan should be ashamed of themselves as it simply doesn't reflect the real needs of Apley and the surrounding areas.

It really is time for Telford and Wrekin Council's Local Plan to be re-written and sites like this one saved from industrial developments that are totally inappropriate.

John Parkin, Labour

John has lived in Apley Castle Ward since 2005 with his wife Diane and has four grown-up children, all of whom were educated in Telford.

John  works at an IT Company in Telford, delivering large IT Projects across the sector and is currently a parish councillor on Hadley and Leegomery Parish Council and a school governor in Apley.

Along with other Labour councillors he will be continuing to campaign hard to reverse the proposed closure of our 24/7 A&E and Women's & Children's Centre at the PRH and save this vitally important part of the National Health Service in our community.

John believes that it is important to be accessible to residents and if elected would hold regular ward surgeries so that residents can easily raise any local issues or specific problems. He has already taken up many environmental issues in the local area, including reporting damaged road signs and uneven pavement surfacing.

An enthusiastic campaigner and public servant, you can guarantee John will work hard for all the residents in Apley.

If elected, John will work hard on your behalf.