Dear fellow Birchfield Residents, I am again standing in the Local Councillor Elections on Thursday, 6th May 2021.

Full statement

This year all current councillors are subject to re-election following the changes made to some Ward boundaries. This affects Birchfield as we have lost the Heathfield and Poleacre estates to Hough Green Ward, whilst gaining part of the North East section of Farnworth Ward, principally Cronton Road and Norlands Lane, together with the estates leading off there.

Our current councillors, do not reside in Birchfield and whilst this should not disqualify them from standing, I believe that if you don't live in an area you don't have a daily feel for its pulse and issues. I know that non-residency of candidates is a regular feature in Parliamentary elections, but these are community elections so different in my view.

I have lived in Birchfield for more than 35 years and indeed went to school all those years ago at Wade Deacon.

Following issues in early 2019, I decided to commit some of my spare time to making a difference where I live. This started with simple litter picking on a daily basis, which then escalated to strimming and cutting back brambles and weed on verges and fence lines. To facilitate and formalise these activities I set up Birchfield Ward Community Association (BWCA) in late 2019. The activity is undertaken in collaboration with various departments of HBC.

So I'm invested in Birchfield and want to do more. My being elected as a Birchfield councillor will not change anything at the council. Halton is a Labour stronghold. So I'm not going to say I can bring change in the borough, but I will ask the important questions and raise my concerns, as I have done regarding erosion of the Green Belt in Birchfield.

What I will do is champion your concerns about the borough but more importantly about Birchfield. There is much to be done in Birchfield. More houses will bring further strain on our road system and infrastructure. We have no community buildings in Birchfield so BWCA have plans to try and address this, but no one is speaking up for us. I want to be that person and bring change and improvements to our ward, cutting through some of the red tape that causes delay and frustration.

So if you will give me your vote on the 6th May I will speak up for Birchfield and support the good works of BWCA which will continue to grow its ambition to bring improvement and change for the residents of Birchfield.