My name is Laura Hall-Wilson and I have been selected as the Conservative candidate for Tetbury with Upton in the Cotswold District Council by-election on 1st May.

Full statement

My family and I live in Tetbury and we are so proud to call this town our home. This is where my son, now 2 was born and where our new baby will be born in June. We love this town, and I would be honoured to have the opportunity to represent Tetbury on the District Council.

I was horrified by the disregard shown to residents by the previous councillor for Tetbury with Upton, selected by the Liberal Democrats’ despite knowing he did not live here. I made my feelings clear at the time, so I feel that rather than criticising from the sidelines, it is time to roll my sleeves up and get stuck in!

As well as being a mum, I am a freelance consultant and run a small business from our home. I understand the pressures businesses are under, and I want to make sure the District Council does all it can to support businesses in Tetbury. We are so lucky to have a flourishing High Street and lots of fabulous independent businesses bringing lot of visitors to our town. I will challenge the Liberal Democrat leadership at CDC on issues such as parking charges and removing public toilet facilities.

My family and I benefit greatly from the fabulous range of local shops and services as well as all the volunteer led initiatives in the town such as ParkRun, the Woolsack Races, Christmas lights switch on and the Wacky Races. I want to do what I can to support these groups and ensure they get the help they need both financially and from other volunteers so that we all continue to benefit.

I have a strong record of community and charity work delivering on fundraising projects for the Air Ambulance and pre-school provision including producing calendars and walking the length of the Kennet and Avon Canal. I am also a Royal British Legion poppy seller and enjoyed many mornings on the platform at Kemble Station supporting veterans, of which my husband is one.

We have taken part in the Santa Dash to support the hospital, which is uniquely funded and huge asset to the town but as a parent to small children we don’t always have the services we need within reach, Gloucester and Swindon are a long and expensive drive and I will work with planners at Cotswold District Council to fight for more services to be available within the town.