Dear resident,

When I said I would only stand in the Stanford Ward by-election if local people thought I should, I meant it.

Full statement

So I want to thank all of the people who took the time to let me know their thoughts in response to my recent letter.

I’ve read every comment and I was very moved that 97% of people said I should stand in the election - including people who had never voted for my party before, but recognised that I don’t make being a Councillor about party politics, but about working hard and getting things done for our area.

Having listened to you, I’ve made up my mind: I will be standing to represent our area on the District Council.

In this by-election, my message is simple. In the 9 months I’ve been your County Councillor, I’ve worked hard to get things done. That’s what I’ll do as your District Councillor, too.

My record as a County Councillor includes:

• Getting the A417 by Stanford Mill and the Shellingford crossroads into the Council’s plans for resurfacing. Local roads have been neglected by the County Council for years. I spoke about the state of the A417 at the first opportunity in Full Council, brought Council officers to our area to inspect the road for themselves, and kept on fighting until the Council agreed to resurface the road. Work is beginning this month.

• Reporting potholes, blocked drains and damaged pavements directly to the Council - and demanding action for our area. When I first got elected, it became obvious to me that Council systems for identifying and repairing potholes, blocked drains and damaged pavements aren’t working. So I’ve been going out and reporting issues myself - and staying on the case until the job is done.

• Speaking up for our area in the Council chamber. I have a 100% attendance record as a Councillor and never miss the chance to speak up for our area and local residents. For example, when the Lib Dems (who run the Council) scrapped the dedicated Cabinet Member for Special Educational Needs & Disabilities, I spoke - and voted - against it.

• Opposing policies that make life harder. When the County Council announced unnecessary new rules for using the tip, I challenged them. In meeting after meeting I asked about the risk of more fly-tipping, of Oxfordshire residents being charged, and queues forming at the Stanford tip because of new paperwork checks. I will continue to fight this unnecessary policy.

Since being elected as a County Councillor, many people have approached me about District Council issues.

As I’m not currently on the District Council, it’s been frustrating that I haven’t been able to do more to help. But I’ve jotted down the issues people raised with me and they will be my priorities if you elect me onto the District Council. They include:

• Protecting the countryside - by opposing inappropriate development, especially when it doesn’t come with the investment in transport and facilities our villages need.

• Tidying up public spaces - like so many of you, I want to see a renewed focus on cleaning pavements and tackling fly-tipping, so we never feel ashamed of the condition of our area.

• Fixing our roads - although roads are a County Council matter, some of the District Council’s work is relevant (like planning). I’ll use my voice on the District Council to continue my fight to fix our roads.

• Preserving fortnightly black bin collection - which is at risk because of the Lib Dems’ plan to merge our Council with West Berkshire, where it has gone to every three weeks. If I’m your Councillor, I would oppose these changes.

In the weeks ahead, I’ll be out speaking to residents and setting out my plan to stand up for our area on the District Council. I hope to speak to you soon.

In the meantime, if there is anything I can do to help, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

All best wishes,

Cllr Lee Evans
Local Conservative candidate for the Stanford Ward by-election