HASLEMERE voters will go to the polls this Thursday (May 2) to elect new councillors at town and borough, as well as county level.

In the build-up to the local elections, the Herald offered each candidate the chance to submit a 150-word statement, setting out in their own words why the deserve your vote on May 2.

These have been printed across the last two editions of the Herald – and the borough candidates (plus East Hants and Chichester district candidates in Fernhurst and Grayshott) are now listed in alphabetical order, by ward, below.

Polling will take place between 7am and 10pm at polling stations across the borough of Waverley.

The counting of votes for borough council elections will take place on Friday (May 3), with the town and parish counts to follow on Saturday (May 4).

The results will be published live from the count on the Herald website, Facebook and Twitter pages.

CHIDDINGFOLD & DUNSFOLD

* John Gray (Con)

I have spent the last four years as a borough councillor for this ward, working closely with Simon Inchbald (now standing down) and parish councils. I have chaired the audit committee, been a member of area and joint planning committees and strongly represented local issues on the Local Plan and at the Inspector’s hearing on Dunsfold Park. I believe it is important to make the voice of our rural villages heard at Waverley and Surrey. Being a councillor is about listening to residents’ concerns and helping them get their points of view over to Waverley or the county council. I will be working hard to get a fair deal for the ward and sensible policies.

* Anna James (Con)

I moved to Chiddingfold in 2012, having served as an East Hampshire District councillor from 1999. I was elected to Waverley Borough Council in 2015, and have served on planning, licencing, overview & scrutiny (OS) environment, OS community, housing and audit. Chiddingfold and Dunsfold are both very beautiful villages, and I will work hard with parishes and county to maintain the rural atmosphere and community spirit.

* Tony Johnson (Lab)

The Labour Party is a national party there are no , “no go areas”. The problem with local government spending, austerity is a political decision by the Conservative Party for smaller government.

The financial crash was caused by the banks not a Labour Government. Local Conservative councillors cannot say austerity is nothing to do with them as they are in the same party.

I have lived in Chiddingfold for many years and talked and listened to many people and heard about their difficulties. Now retired, I worked in factories and on building sites, finishing at the Post Office in 2011.

* John Leston (Lib Dem)

I am joint-founder and managing director of an international market research business, now retired. I have substantial experience as a councillor, having served on Berkshire County Council for eight years where I was Liberal group leader. I am now chair of Haslemere Liberal Democrats. I am also secretary of the Alton, Haslemere and Petersfield RSPCA branch. I would work to ensure that Chiddingfold and Dunsfold receive their fair share of resources. While on Berkshire, my specialism was finance and I am particularly concerned about Waverley’s potentially risky strategy of buying commercial property to try to generate an income stream to plug the gap left by massive Tory government grant reductions.

* Lou Whyte (Green Party)

I am very passionate about our environment, both locally and globally, and feel we can make the positive changes needed for not only our future economy but generations too. I have Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis and due to this, disability rights and services are important to me.

Currently, I’m studying part time with the Open University, completing a BA (Hons) in environmental studies. I used to be a human resources professional and feel the people skills acquired during my 15-year career, help me to relate to people and their concerns.

My immediate concerns are with housing, roads and the planned fracking site in Dunsfold.

HASLEMERE CRITCHMERE & SHOTTERMILL

* Jim Edwards (Con)

I have lived in the area for over 40 years. I have been involved in helping our local community in Haslemere in many ways including; governor and chair of Shottermill Infant School, Royal British Legion chairman and Poppy Appeal organiser, founder member of Wey Hill in Bloom, vice chairman of Haslemere Border Athletics Club and am currently helping to establish the Haslemere Youth Hub facility in the former Wey Centre. I have been working to instigate a full parking review throughout Waverley, and I am very pleased to say it will start in the next few months if I am lucky enough to be elected. I wish to continue to serve the community that I live in and care about in any way possible.

* Jacqueline Keen (Lib Dem)

I have lived in Haslemere all my life, as have generations of my family before me. I was a night nurse for 30 years, the last 16 at Milford Hospital, where I am now chair of the League of Friends. I have been mayor of both Haslemere and Waverley. In 2001, I was awarded the MBE for community work. If elected, I will be very supportive of our young people. As a committee member of A Place to Be youth group, I am very aware of the support clubs such as ours give to young people. I am also very concerned about the lack of transparency in local politics. I believe that local democracy needs to be open and transparent, and I shall work hard to achieve this. I am concerned that Waverley borough and Haslemere town councils are so dominated by a single party. A lack of genuine debate results in poor decision-making.

* Carole King (Con)

I moved to Haslemere in 1975 when working for the electricity supply industry in facilities management. I was elected to Waverley Borough Council in 2007 and have been a member of the Executive since 2008 with special responsibility for community safety, older people, housing operations and health and wellbeing.

I am concerned about speeding traffic through Critchmere and Shottermill and have a keen interest in ensuring that residents of Critchmere and Shottermill are fairly represented in Haslemere. I am passionate about the provision of affordable housing for local people and services to support older people in the community.

* Peter Nicholson (Lib Dem)

I have lived in Haslemere for over 30 years and am now retired having previously worked in scientific research, marketing and in planning roles in industry. I am a former chairman of a local residents’ association and a former Waverley borough councillor. My main priorities are in provision of more social housing, sensitive planning which also respects the green belt and the maintenance of local bus services.

* John Robini (Lib Dem)

I have always been interested in community affairs, and worked for Surrey Police for 43 years leading partnership projects. I became involved in trying to listen and improve the community, and became a councillor and chairman for Witley Parish Council. I was then elected to Waverley Borough Council where I was portfolio-holder on the executive for community safety, car parking and young people. I successfully introduced a youth council, a stronger and more robust CAB system, and other community projects. I volunteer in the community and am currently president of Haslemere Rotary. I will support the vulnerable, particularly the elderly and young, and develop better communication and strategies between departments, agencies and the local community. I am passionate about providing social and affordable housing, and ensuring local views are listened to in planning matters.

* Phoebe Sullivan (Con)

Having spent my childhood learning, growing up and working in Haslemere, I want to bring a youthful outlook to engage people of all ages to become more involved in having their say. In this time of political unrest, what is needed on a local level is collaboration to make Haslemere a vibrant, forward-looking place to live, work and play. A clear example is the team behind The Haslemere Youth Hub; they show the potential we have to get things done and be positive. I belive that it is imperative we give local people a voice to support change and improvement of our local environment and services which is why I am standing.

* Adam Wade (UKIP)

I never had the intention of getting involved in politics, I’m very happy as a postman in Haslemere. However, the current state of politics led me to act upon the old adage, “be the change you want to see in the world”. The two major parties might differ on issues such as economy and budgeting which can change every election cycle, but in terms of the fundamentals that made this great nation the envy of the world politically, as a liberal democracy, they are opposite sides of the same coin. Both are happy to extend government power and erode civil liberties and personal freedoms. UKIP is not funded by big business nor powerful trade unions, but by its members directly and this campaign is not about starting a career in politics but about making a difference. I encourage you to get out there and have your say by casting your vote.

HASLEMERE EAST & GRAYSWOOD

* Simon Dear (Con)

I have been an active town councillor since 2017.

Qualified as a surveyor, I have a background in law, planning, finance and building construction and have worked for myself in the ownership and management of property for 30 years. As well as being a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, I’m a member of the Haslemere Society. I’m a founder member of the Hunter Centre for Alzheimers’ sufferers and a trustee of the Haslemere Penny Ha’Penny Trust.

* Robert Knowles (Con)

I have lived in Haslemere all my life. I have been in public service throughout my adult life having been a police officer in the Surrey Constabulary and more latterly a Waverley borough councillor, including six years as leader. I have been a committee member of the League of Friends of Haslemere Hospital for most of this century and have campaigned to retain services in Haslemere and to retain the Royal Surrey County Hospital (RSCH) when under threat. I was elected a governor of RSCH last year. I am passionate about services in the south of Surrey, which due to its rural area can appear neglected compared with the north of the county.

* Adrian La Porta (Lab)

I am standing for Haslemere county by-election and the borough and town council elections to give a true alternative for voters. For too long there has been a Conservative monopoly locally: we have a Conservative dominance at town, borough, county and national level, leading to the unhealthy preoccupation with party interest that we are seeing at national level. All parts of our community must have a voice and if elected I will bring a wider set of views forward. Local government has been under unprecedented financial pressure due to Conservative austerity. I will campaign to bring more funds for essential services in our area, with a focus on affordable housing and the environment. We face a climate crisis. I will argue for each decision to consider the climate change impact.

I have lived in Grayswood for over 20 years and am a practising engineer.

* Gary Lloyd (Green Party)

I’m an engineer and management consultant with 15 years of professional experience in industries including aerospace, retail and social care and have led large programmes in both the public and private sectors. Since moving to Haslemere in early 2015 and starting a family I have grown to love our town for its beautiful rural surroundings and quiet friendly atmosphere but am concerned that our one-party council cannot fairly represent the healthy diversity of beliefs and needs that exist among residents. I commit to being both an essential pair of ears and a powerful voice of conscience inside the council for everyone who cares deeply about protecting our natural environment, minimising unnecessary pollution, respecting wildlife, promoting community-led initiatives and improving public services. Now is the time for change.

* Stephen Mulliner (Con)

I served on Haslemere Town Council from 1999 to 2015 and as Haslemere mayor in 2002/03 and 2007/08. I was was elected to Waverley Borough Council in 2007 and have a strong interest in planning and finance. I sit on both the southern area and joint planning committees. I chair the budget strategy working group, which seeks to address Waverley’s medium-term financial challenges, and serve as vice-chairman of OS value for money and customer service. I monitor Haslemere’s housing situation continuously, especially with regard to the rate of windfall development, with the goal of avoiding any building on AONB and Green Belt land around the town.

* Elizabeth Pamplin (Lib Dem)

I have lived in Haslemere since 1973. I am a governor of a borough school. I am a chartered fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. My career has mainly been spent in human resources management, latterly linked to corporate ethics. I have worked in the UK and internationally, in the private sector, central government and local government – the last as a chief officer. I was a parliamentary candidate for the SDP/ Liberal Alliance in the 1983 and 1987 general elections. I also stood in local elections for the Liberal Democrats. I was national chief executive of the Liberal Democrats from 1999 to 2000.

* Terry Weldon (Lib Dem)

After a professional career mostly in market research and later teaching mathematics, I am now semi-retired. I work part-time delivering medicines for a Haslemere pharmacy, which keeps me in contact with the real needs of some of our elderly, and do some exam work at Surrey University. As a cancer survivor myself, I have strong interest in support for cancer patients, and am now a trustee for the national rare cancer charity, GIST Support UK. I am a parishioner at the Catholic parish of Our Lady of Lourdes, participating actively in several capacities, particularly at the services at Holy Cross Convent. Although Haslemere is in general a comfortable, middle-class community, I am aware that our community includes some in more difficult circumstances and I want to ensure council decisions consider the needs of all our people.