Our District Council Candidates
We put three questions to each of our District Council candiates and here is what they had to say. Please do show them your support and get out to vote on Thursday 3rd May at Love's Farm House! There are TWO seats, so you can vote for TWO candidates.
James Catmur (Liberal Democrat)
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I have lived in the St Neots area for 21 years. I have seen the area change a lot over the last 20 years. Some change has been good, like more trains to London, and some bad, like the loss of shops and higher car parking fees. My work is in transport engineering and design. I hope I can bring my knowledge and skills to bear when transport matters arise that affect us.
What do you believe you can offer Love's Farm and the wider St Neots area if you are elected?
I will work to cooperate at town, district and county level to create a town that is a good place to live, work, spend time, and that is ready for the future. Key areas are: town centre parking; range of shops; pelican crossing for Cambridge Road; parking Permits for Love’s Farm residents; Northern Access opened; and electric car charging points.
Is there anything else you'd like to say?
I am a proud European and am able to speak multiple languages, which were learnt as I moved around the world. For those who would like to meet me, please note that I am disabled so I won’t be knocking on that many doors.
Contact
jrcatmur@gmail.com
Ian Gardener (Conservative)
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I have been your District Councillor since November 2014 and I am currently Vice – Chairman of the District Council’s Development Management Committee, I also serve on the Economy and Growth Committee. I am a Chartered Surveyor and I have been running my Chartered Surveying Business in St Neots for in excess of 30 years. I am a keen supporter of Queens Park Rangers and Cambridge United.
What do you believe you can offer Love's Farm and the wider St Neots area if you are elected?
David Wells and I are standing as your Conservative candidates for District Council, if re-elected on 3rd May I will continue to:
1. Hold Monthly Surgeries at Love’s Farm House each month, as I have done since LFH opened.
2. Work with the District & County Councils, Urban & Civic and Gallagher Estates to ensure minimal amount of disruption for residents whilst the new developments of Wintringham Park and Loves Farm East and the alterations to Cambridge Road are under construction.
3. Support LFCA and your Town Councillors to ensure the residents of Loves Farm are fully represented at the District Council. I will support improvements to our Town Centre, the £500K upgrade programme to St Neots One Leisure and the upgrade to the A428.
Your priorities are my priorities
Contact
idg@asc-geomatics.co.uk
Nik Johnson (Labour)
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I have been an NHS children's doctor at Hinchingbrooke Hospital for the last 12 years. Working at the heart of the community, I have met many children and their families who are Love's Farm residents.
What do you believe you can offer Love's Farm and the wider St Neots area if you are elected?
I am motivated by a personal drive to see a change where political representatives, both locally and nationally, will represent the best interests of all.
I recognise that the welfare and happiness of all our communities is dependent on many factors, many of which are affected by the decisions made locally.
I believe I can bring the skills I have learned in my professional life to work collaboratively with housing, education and social care agencies as well as the district and county councils to best represent the whole community of Loves Farm.
Is there anything else you'd like to say?
I want to play a part in taking Love’s Farm to a better future as the specific new challenge of Wintringham Park - and “Love’s Farm 2” begin to unfold.
I have a vision of an integrated, thriving, happy community, which by building on the energy and vision of local resident groups can deliver a healthy, active community leading the way not only in Cambridgeshire but also nationally.
Contact
07957 210183
nikmagpiejohnson@btinternet.com
Twitter:
@CambridgeMagpie
Find “Dr Nik” on Facebook
Nigel Pauley (Labour)
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
My family moved to St Neots in 1942 when my grand-dad was transferred to the new Little Barford Power Station. After years moving around for work I returned to St Neots in 1994 and have remained in the area since. I commuted to London for over 20 years for my work with large media organisations. I’m married with three children, my wife Karen works locally and I am a member of St Neots Golf Club.
What do you believe you can offer Love's Farm and the wider St Neots area if you are elected?
Love’s Farm is a special community, with very special people who have inspired me to ask for their support as I believe they deserve more than complacency and broken promises.
I promise to do my best for all residents. I want to give Love’s Farm the voice it deserves and will fight its corner to improve the area for everyone.
If elected I will work closely with local organisations, community groups and town councillors, to drive forward change and improvements on Love’s Farm.
Is there anything else you'd like to say?
I firmly believe in the importance of getting out and meeting as many of the local residents as possible.
Contact
nigel.rfm@virginmedia.com
07831 314535
Twitter:
@nigelpauley
David Wells (Conservative)
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
My wife Lynn and I have lived on Love’s Farm since 2010, both our children were educated in Cambridgeshire state schools. I am passionate that local councils deliver for local people. I am Treasurer of LFCA and have served as your local Town Councillor since 2012, including lobbying for parking restrictions. I am a governor of the Round House and St Mary’s schools in St Neots and attend St Mary’s parish church. I work part time in financial management.
What do you believe you can offer Love's Farm and the wider St Neots area if you are elected?
Ian Gardener and I are standing as your Conservative candidates for District Council, if elected on 3rd May I will:
1. Continue to fight for Love’s Farm – including monthly residents surgeries at Loves’ Farm House, ensuring delivery of parking restrictions that balance safety & access with the parking needs of residents and consideration of the Northern Access.
2. Work for quality expansion of Wintringham Park and LF East, ensuring delivery of new schools and adequate, safe, controlled crossings on Cambridge Road.
3. Actively lobby for A428 work to start by 2020 as promised. As a steering group member, ensure the new St Neots Master Plan work delivers new facilities, jobs and skills to St Neots
Your priorities are my priorities.
Contact
davidjwells@hotmail.co.uk