Norwich Liberal Democrats Online

Libera Democrat Candidates for the September 9th Local Elections

Haydn Perrett (Bowthorpe)

I have lived in Norwich for thirty years and run my own business. I know the city and the issues well. My top priorities include pressing local authorities to improve road safety in Bowthorpe, including the introduction of 20mph limits on residential streets and around local schools. I really believe that the Council must give higher priority to improving road safety in Bowthorpe and improving public transport across the City.

I supported the fight to save Post Offices in Norwich and I am very keen to support local businesses and community facilities if elected. The Liberal Democrats in Norwich have good policies to support local enterprise including opening-up council procurement procedure and working with local businesses to help them secure contracts, and encouraging start-ups through a small business development fund. If elected, I want to push forward these ideas. Small businesses are the life-blood of the economy and in these difficult economic times it is vital that the council does everything it can to help them.

Chris Thomas (Catton Grove)

I joined the Liberal Party in 1980 and was a City Councillor between 1992 and 2007. I work as a Customer Advisor in Barclays Bank in Norwich and live on Drayton Road. In my spare time I enjoy many hobbies, including being a member of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) and helping to organise the Norwich Beer Festival.

I am standing because I feel local residents are being let down by the City Council. The government's 2009 'One Place' organisational assessment rated Labour-run Norwich City Council as the worst performing council in Norfolk. In Catton Grove I can really see on a day-to-day basis how local residents have been neglected by Labour. This poor provision of service and the current problems with the new Connaught contract have motivated me to stand and offer an alternative to the incompetent Labour administration at City Hall. Norwich residents deserve better and I think the Liberal Democrats can offer them a better alternative and push forward improvements in the City.

Alex Findlow (Crome)

I live in Norwich and work in IT / Telecommunications. I am married and have two young children. I was a Liberal Democrat Councillor in the City between 1992 and 1996 and also a school governor. I joined the party in 1981 and I am standing because I feel that we have the right policies for Norwich residents.

If elected, I will work to implement the Liberal Democrats 'Six to Fix' manifesto for Norwich. We have identified six polices to improve life in Norwich and improve the performance of Norwich City Council. These are, to stop the council wasting your money in areas such as consultants and marketing, to devolve real power and budgets to local residents, to bring forward environmental initiatives such as a 50% recycling rate within two years, to improve the transport infrastructure including the Norwich to London rail line, to do more to support local businesses through initiatives such as a small business development fund, and to make our streets cleaner and safer - ensuring that the council deals more effectively with issues such as anti-social behaviour.

James Wright (Eaton)

I was born in the Norwich South constituency and have remained a resident ever since. I spent the first four years of my life in Merrow Gardens, and have fond memories of my time at the Eaton Elephants Playgroup at St. Andrews church. I attended Earlham High School and City College and now work in IT at Sprowston Community High School four days a week, having previously worked at the BBC and for a medical education company. I am married to Kate, an Assistant Headteacher at a Junior School, and we live in central Norwich. During my recreation time, I enjoy contemporary art and culture, combined with a love of travel.

Passionate about education, I am Chair of Governors at a Junior School and a keen advocate of enhanced provision of computer access for all ages. Having been heavily involved with local politics for several years, I relish the opportunity to serve the people of Eaton if elected. I continue to have a strong connection with Eaton as my mother, a teacher formerly at Fairway First School, and stepfather live here. If elected, I will work hard with Simon Wright MP and the rest of the local team to deliver a fresh start for Norwich and build on the work of the outgoing Councillor, Brian Watkins.

Howard Lee (Lakenham)

Having spent the last 15 years living and working in the area, I am proud to be considered by my friends and associates to be 'as Norfolk as they come'. I attended Great Yarmouth High School and subsequently Great Yarmouth College of Further Education. I went on to manage a reputable city centre business namely Bedfords Bar & Restaurant, which helped earn me a high profile within the local catering industry. It was during my time at Bedfords that I, along with several other business managers and owners working in the area, together founded the Norwich Lanes Traders' association. Through that, my interest in helping the local community grew much stronger. I currently work as an Area Sales Manager.

I helped my wife, Councillor Dr Fiona Williamson, with her successful campaign to be elected as the County Councillor for Lakenham in 2008. I hope to build on her success and the success of the late Cllr Hereward Cooke, who represented the ward with such distinction between 2000 and 2008. I believe they have both shown that the Liberal Democrats are best placed to stand-up for the rights of local residents and work to improve services in the area. If elected, this is a tradition I look forward to continuing in Lakenham.

Simon Nobbs (Mancroft)

I work as an accountant in the City. I have also been working for the community in Mancroft for many years. I am a former councillor for our area, but had to leave the UK to pursue other interests and stepped down from the Council. Now I am back, living in Mancroft, and I would consider it a real honour to be chosen by local residents to continue my work for our area on the City Council. Many cities don't have a residential centre and having people living in the heart of our city gives Norwich a warmth and vibrancy not found in many other places. However it is important that the residential aspect of our city centre is not neglected.

Some of my main priorities for Mancroft include: ensuring that the Council is active in dealing with anti-social behaviour; supporting more youth facilities and campaigning to retain our green spaces for the community's benefit. With major new developments at Anglia Square we need to make sure that plans are sustainable and improve the quality of the environment for all residents. I know that Labour have failed Norwich with their mismanagement of the Council's housing department, and failed Britain with the record deficit they built up. It is now time for a fresh start here in Norwich.

Carl Mayhew (Mile Cross)

I live in Mile Cross with my partner Mary and I represented the ward as a City Councillor until 2008. I was born and brought up in the area and through my experience as a councillor and campaigner I have an excellent knowledge of the local issues. I currently work for the Jobcentre in the City Centre and in my free time I enjoy playing and watching sport and going to the cinema.

As a local resident I was appalled by the Greyhound Opening homes-for-staff scandal. This perfectly demonstrated the awful job Labour is doing at City Hall and it was appalling that vulnerable residents were kicked out of their homes and well paid council staff moved in. This was the key incident that motivated me to stand again and to try to make a difference. Housing is a central issue in this election and in Mile Cross. Local residents deserve more than a zero rated housing department and I know they are fed-up with years of local and national Labour failure. If elected, improving the housing service will be one of my key priorities. The Labour council has let us down for too long. I am standing to work hard for our area and fight for the improvements we need.

Mark Johnston (Nelson)

I am a Science Graduate from UEA. I live in the city and since graduating I have worked as a Learning Support Assistant and volunteered at the Inspire Discovery Centre. I have a particular interest in scientific, educational and environmental issues. I hope to build on the success of Simon Wright MP and become a hard-working and committed local representative for Nelson residents.

I was inspired to stand for election for the Liberal Democrats because I feel they have the best environmental policies of the parties. It is a pragmatic and realistic green agenda that can deliver real results for Norwich. It is a plan that will see a cycle-hire scheme in Norwich, a boost in recycling rates to 50% within 2 years, work to encourage more public green spaces (for instance outside flats) and plans to involve the public more in the ownership of our parks and green spaces. The Lib Dems have already pushed to reduce energy consumption at City Hall and led the initiative for Norwich to be a 'Fair Trade' City. If elected, I hope to build on this track record of success and help ensure that ,in the current economic climate, green issues are not marginalized.

Selwyn Taylor (Sewell)

I am a Designer and Lecturer and live on Elm Grove Lane. In the past I was a campaigner for the Labour Party, but felt let-down by the failure of the Labour government nationally on issues like the Iraq War, ID Cards, and the economic mismanagement of Gordon Brown which has left the country with records levels of debt. I decided to join the Liberal Democrats in 2008. As an ex-governor of Catton Grove and Angel Road schools, I am particularly interested in issues relating to young people and education.

If elected, I will work to improve the community spirit of the area and make sure that people in the Sewell Ward feel able to really influence decisions. For too long Norwich has been ignored by Westminster and local people in Norwich have been ignored by the City Council. We need a real devolution of power and budgets to local communities. Only through this will we make people feel a sense of community ownership and community spirit. Labour have talked a good game about devolution, but now is the time for real action on the issue. Devolving power to local communities is in the DNA of the Liberal Democrats and, if elected, this is something I will really push for.

Dave Thomas (Thorpe Hamlet)

I've lived in Norwich for 2 years, but worked here for 8 currently in a customer service role. I've lived in Norfolk since I was 3 years old and love most things about the City and the County. The one thing I find frustrating is Westminster's ability to ignore Norfolk and too often let us lag behind when it comes to things like transport infrastructure.

I'm standing to be a City Councillor as I feel I can offer a fresh approach and fight hard for local peoples' interests and concerns. I know times are difficult at the moment, I myself am also feeling the pinch. Cuts may be necessary because of Labour's disastrous economic legacy, but I want to make sure these cuts have minimal effect on the more vulnerable in our city. I've worked with Simon Wright MP for over 3 years as a volunteer and worked closely with him when campaigning for a better deal for Norwich residents. I wish to represent your views on the big and the small issues. The one thing not to be forgotten in these difficult economic times are environmental concerns and the need for realistic approaches in our day-to-day activities. If elected, I will fight to make Norwich a more environmentally sustainable city.

Sam Bailey (Town Close)

I have lived in Norwich for the past three years as a student at UEA. In this time I have lived and worked in the Unthank Road area, I love the Golden Triangle area of the city and know many of the shops and pubs well. From the moment I moved to Norwich I fell in love with this diverse city, a diversity that is epitomised in Town Close. As the area has given me so many friends, opportunities and brilliant experiences I would like to remain involved with the city and give something back for all that it has given me.

Having lived in the area I am aware of the concerns of residents, be it the 20mph zoning or the newly built Tesco. During the General Election campaign I was fortunate enough to speak to many local people and find out their opinions on the issues. I was equally grateful to be able to help some directly in Simon Wright's office after this. I want to listen to what everyone has to say and help get those voices heard at council. The general election overhauled the political scene not just in Norwich but for the UK as a whole. I believe that with my youth and enthusiasm I will be able to work hard for the city, and like our new MP, be a fresh face on the political scene.

James Ebelewicz (University)

I've lived in Norwich for my whole life, and the majority of that time I've been in the University Ward. I currently work as an Information Assistant for Norfolk County Council. I'm standing for City Councillor because I think I can offer something different. I'm young and I've not been involved in politics before so don't know the old guard or the old way of doing things. I'd like to shake things up; I'd bring a new approach and view things afresh.

While some local politicians are opposing all cuts to local services I'm realistic about the situation in which we find ourselves. Unfortunately we have no choice but to make cuts, because the economic situation and central government have dictated it. I don't believe it is realistic to suggest that everything should be protected from this but, if elected as the City Councillor for University Ward, I will attempt to limit the effect on the most vulnerable in society. I think your voice is important and too often missed. I'll try to increase the opportunity for local people to have their say on issues which affect them by better promoting relevant meetings and personally inviting people who might be interested. Finally, I'll try to ensure that the difficult economic times are not used as an excuse to forget green principles in future planning.

Clare Dennis (Wensum)

I was born in Bowthorpe Road and worked for Norvic Shoes on leaving school. I was a PA in local government for 10 years and a medical secretary in the NHS for 7. I lived in London for much of that time and completed a degree in History as a mature student before returning to Norfolk 10 years ago. I am a former foster carer, and currently a part time carer for an elderly relative. I have an active role in my local church and am involved with a local residents association. Spare time interests include local history, needlecrafts and following Norwich City. I don't drive so walking, cycling and using buses gives me a really good insight into public transport issues in the City.

I'm a Liberal Democrat because they're the only party that cares about reforming our outdated political system and they're serious about local issues too. As a council estate resident I'm acutely aware of the problems arising since the city council maintenance contract passed from CityCare to Connaught. I'm working with Liberal Democrat colleagues to make sure that the people of Norwich receive a good quality, reliable service and will continue to do this if elected.