Telford and Wrekin Liberal Democrats

Councillor Karen Blundell

Apley Castle Ward (Telford & Wrekin Borough Council)

I have been privileged to be the borough councillor for Apley Castle ward for the last sixteen 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 & Children's unit and the 24 hour Accident & Emergency at the PRH. I have spoken out at meetings and attended rallies in support of our hospital.
• Secure further improvements to our local infrastructure, including our roads and schools.
• Alerting residents to a number of planning applications and together we have successfully fought off an abattoir and a toilet roll factory and 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

Councillor Karen Tomlinson

Dothill Ward (Telford & Wrekin Borough Council & Wellington Town Council)

It's been a privilege being the Borough Councillor of Dothill for the last 19 years and a Wellington Town Councillor for 16 years. I believe a councillor must always engage with residents, and I have done this by producing regular newsletters and engaging on social media.

I work closely with the friends of Dothill Local Nature Reserve and am thankful to all those residents who volunteer to improve the quality of life for their community. If re-elected, I will continue to work hard for the residents of Dothill.

Councillor Thomas Janke

Newport South & East Ward (Telford & Wrekin Borough Council & Newport Town Council)

Newly elected to Telford & Wrekin Council (South/East Ward) May 2019 and returned to Newport Town Council (South Ward) - Thanks to everyone for their support, the hard work begins now!

My service in Iraq taught me that actions speak louder than words. Since being first elected as a Newport town councillor , I have listened to residents' concerns and acted on them. Potholes filled. New streetlights. New drop kerbs. Small things, often ignored, but they make a big difference to people living in those streets.

My priorities are driven by conversations with residents over the past two years:

• Parking - action to free up town centre spaces (whilst always remaining free of charge) and helping to tackle illegal parking in our residentail streets.
• A&E - continue to fight against the closures of Princess Royal's A&E and Women and Children's Unit.
• Police - fight for Newport's fair share of police on the ground.
• Look to improve our environent by exploring ways to free up/redue business rates for sustainable business models and to reduce carbon footprint where possible.

Councillor Nick Garvey

Newport South Ward (Newport Town Council)

I live in Newport with Joanna and our young family. Quite simply, I would like to make Newport an even better place to live. I believe politics should be straightforward, honest and civilised.

Councillor Sarah Syrda

Newport East Ward (Newport Town Council)

Hi, I'm Sarah, I live in Newport with my husband, Paul, and his two young children, who go to school in our town. I think waking up in Newport every morning, and having exactly the same issues as those I seek to represent is really important. I am a member of the Newport Carnival Committee and attend St Nicholas' Church.

My priorities for Newport are:

• Police - we simply don't see enough officers in Newport, and none of the new West Mercia officers will be stationed here. It is excellent that the town council helps to fund a PSCO and I support this continuing. But we are also campaigning for Newport to get more of the officers we already fund through our council tax.
• Parking - you just can't find a space! It must stay free of charge, but we need action to free up spaces for shoppers.
• Our hospital - we won't give up the fight against the closure of the A&E and Women and Children's Centre at Princess Royal.

Councillor Pat Fairclough

Shawbirch Ward (Wellington Town Council)

As a Liberal Democrat town councillor for Wellington, I have felt it necessary to attend and campaign on behalf of the Princess Royal Hospital during this year's Future Fit Consultation. Telford is one of the fastest growing towns in the West Midlands if not the whole of the U.K. and to have its A and E department under threat of closure is quite unacceptable.

If the A and E department goes then so does the Maternity and Children's Ward, a very new and welcome addition to the hospital. The demographic profile of Telford surely obviates against this proposed closure.

Working with the community groups in Wellington has been most rewarding. The Arts Festival that grew out of the Literary Festival brings a twice yearly programme of events organised by the committee of the Town Council. I look forward to further developments now that the Orbit Arts Centre is being built in the centre of the town. It has been supported by the community, the Town Council and Telford and Wrekin Council. This will be an important addition to the regeneration of Wellington Town Centre.

Councillor Bill Tomlinson

Shawbirch Ward (Telford & Wrekin Borough Council)

I am privileged to have been the Borough Councillor of Shawbirch for twenty-two years and I am the current Group Leader on Telford and Wrekin Council. As a resident of the ward I am in a good position to see what is required.

My key objectives are:

• Campaigning to retain full services at the Princess Royal Hospital; I have spoken at rallies in support of our hospital.
• Alert residents to local planning applications; together we successfully fought off a toilet roll factory.
• Liaise closely with the police in our area to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.
• Continue to secure improvements to Shawbirch.
• Stop Government cuts to both the police and local authorities; help to protect the most vulnerable, particularly the elderly.
• Update residents on relocation of Medical Centre.
• Keep Council Tax low.

I believe police need more resources, but this should not fall upon local residents and increased council tax.

In Shawbirch we are blessed to have the Dothill local nature reserve and surrounding green spaces, I am fighting to preserve these. I am thankful to all those residents who volunteer to improve the quality of life in our area. I will endeavour to keep the local community informed through my regular newsletters.

Councillor Stephen De Launey

Shawbirch Ward (Wellington Town Council)

A long standing member of Wellington Town Council, Stephen has worked tirelessly for the people of Wellington. A former Chair of both local and regional Liberal Democrats. Stephen brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his role of councillor.

Councillor Anthony Lowe

Shawbirch Ward (Wellington Town Council)

The 2019 Mayor of Wellington Town Council, Anthony was elected in 2015 and recently got his first tattoo to celebrate his love for Wellington! Formelly a Conservative, Anthony joined the party in September 2019.

Councillor Greg Spruce

Woodside Ward (Madeley Town Council)

I work as a department manager and teacher in a local college. I sit on the Environment and Finance and General Purposes Committee on Madeley Town Council. I am a passionate believer in empowering people and community politics.

My three priorities are driven by conversations with residents over the past two years:

• Fly tipping and litter - action to tackle the scourge of fly tipping and more community ownership of keeping Woodside a nice place to live.
• A&E - continue to fight against the closures of Princess Royal's A&E and Women and Children's Unit.
• Police - fight for Woodside's fair share of police on the ground.