John Lawson lives in the heart of Cleckheaton with his family.

Full statement

He is the only candidate for the Cleckheaton ward to live in the area of the ward.
John was first elected in 2010 and is a key member of the Liberal Democrat team in Cleckheaton who work all year round for local people and the town.
John and the Lib Dem team keep residents informed through a regular FOCUS newsletter; ask residents for their views and take action on their behalf. They hold councillor advice and help surgeries EVERY Saturday in Cleckheaton and Scholes and once a month in Oakenshaw.
John is involved in supporting many of the local community groups for example helping the Friends of Scholes Rec develop the once neglected Council-owned open space in Scholes.
John is campaigning in this election against plans agreed by Labour-run Kirklees Council to impose parking charges on the town's free car parks. A petition in support of the campaign has attracted nearly 7,000 signatures and is likely to be successful in persuading the Council to drop the plans.
John and the team are fighting hard as they have done for the last 3 or more years to save the Library in Cleckheaton from closure. It is the only safe place that is freely open to all. It is in an iconic building that was donated to the town. It serves around 50,000 people in the Spen Valley and MUST be kept open.
Potholes - despite the best efforts of Highways services our roads are in a very poor state. the Lib Dems proposed an additional £1m each year to repair potholes but this was turned down by Labour councillors.
£45m allocated for investment in Dewsbury and Huddersfield while taking services away from Cleckheaton is unacceptable.