The two candidates for the upcoming Waverley Borough Council Hindhead ward by-election on Thursday, June 23, have had their say.

GED HALL – Conservative

I have lived locally for 20 plus years and in that time have served two terms on the town council and one term on Waverley Borough Council.

I have good experience of how the council operates, but most importantly how to help deliver on residents’ priorities and make sure their voices are heard – if elected I will hold a surgery in the British Legion to meet residents and help with any issues of concern.

In my spare time, I am president of the local rugby club and am a passionate supporter of the Woolmer Hill and Beacon Hill sports facilities which host our rugby, hockey, football and athletics clubs.

I have lobbied extensively for increased investment in a new 3G pitch and to deliver the much-needed refurbishment to the Woolmer Hill Sports Pavilion, used by around 1,000 people per week in the season.

I was recently appointed as a trustee for the Youth Hub which hosts many of the activity groups for young people in our town and offers free youth counselling to help young people with any issues they wish to discuss.

JULIAN SPENCE – Lib Dem

I have already been fortunate to meet many Hindhead and Beacon Hill residents in the campaign and it would be a privilege to represent them at Waverley.

My top three priorities for the council are:

The cost-of-living crisis: How can the council help mitigate the impact of rising costs, particularly on the most vulnerable?

Planning and development: How can the council make the system more responsive and ensure that proper infrastructure is provided to support any development?

Environment: How can we look after Hindhead and Beacon Hill so our children and grandchildren can continue to enjoy it?

I have lived locally for most of my life and recognise that residents want a councillor who listens to them, understands local issues and works hard.

If elected, I ask they judge me by standards sadly lacking in Westminster:

Integrity: I will put their interests first and not take them for granted.

Honesty: I will tell them what is possible and what is not.

Compassion: I will listen to their concerns and seek ways to resolve them.

Competence: I will use my professional background as a chief risk officer to help make the council more efficient and effective.