HASLEMERE residents will not just be voting for who they want to represent them on the town council and Waverley borough on May 2, but also at county level.

These are the statements from Independent candidate Nikki Barton, Conservative candidate Malcolm Carter and Labour hopeful Adrian la Porta.

The political composition of Surrey County Council, which has 81 seats, is currently 61 Conservative, nine Liberal Democrats, nine Residents’ Associations/Independents, one Labour and one Green.

In the build-up to the vote, we asked each of Haslemere three Surrey County Council by-election candidates to describe in 200 words why they deserve your vote.

Listed below, in alphabetical order, are their responses.

* Nikki Barton (Independent)

Surrey County Council is responsible for so much that affects our daily lives – social care, health, highways, schools and learning, libraries, waste and recycling. Budgets are being slashed. Key services are under threat. Haslemere needs a councillor to show up and champion our town again.

When I was county councillor (2013 – 2017), I threw myself into the role with energy, and a deep commitment to serve the community with passion, transparency and engagement. I worked hard, listened and built trust.

Here are some of my activities: www.haslemerefirst.com/achievements .

My track record shows how, as an Independent, I can represent you free from the constraints of party politics.

If I am elected again as your Surrey county councillor, I pledge:

Haslemere will regain an independent voice at county level – community before politics

I will promote openness and transparency – I believe in the power of accountability

I will fight for Haslemere’s fair share of Surrey’s scarce resources.

* Malcolm Carter (Con)

A local resident for 18 years, I have been part of the 3 Counties Money Advice team for ten years helping those less well off.

Elected a town councillor in 2015, I became the council’s highways representative, and during my mayoral year in 2017-18 I was instrumental in saving the Hunter Centre for Dementia, and instigated the petition to save the town’s toilets.

My priorities if elected will be:

For roads to be re-surfaced - not just potholes filled.

Support funding for our schools to maintain their quality.

Ensure the Hunter Centre for Dementia gets full county support.

Support the elderly, disabled and disadvantaged with prompt assessments.

Defend the need for the library as many need this facility.

Work with borough and town councils on a holistic parking plan considering businesses, commuters and residents.

Hold a monthly residents’ surgery in town.

Ensure that Haslemere gets value for money from the county and borough.

Fight for on-street CCTV to help reduce burglaries.

I have proved that I listen to people’s opinions and I am a good communicator.

I will continue to support local activities, whilst maintaining my excellent council attendance record.

* Adrian La Porta (Lab)

Democracy for Surrey: I will argue for transparency and more devolution of powers from central government.

Surrey needs its fair share of resources. The Tory council accepts the continuing cuts imposed by Westminster, impoverishing local services across Britain.

A Labour voice will be a voice for the poorest families in Surrey.

We face a climate crisis. County government has a critical role in making the societal changes we need: in transport; in housing and in strategic planning.

As an engineer I am sure we have the technological means to move to a safe, prosperous, sustainable future. What we lack is the political will.

All county policies must be framed by the need to address the climate emergency.

We must work with the NHS and central government to develop secure futures for those needing care, especially the elderly.

We must work to counteract the funding cuts in education, engaging with the educational and wider communities to equip our young people for a very different future. Rapid technological change is both a threat and an opportunity.

We must take advantage of these changes in transport, in housing, in work, in social care, in education and in crime and policing.