In the 20th in a series of ward profiles ahead of the local elections next week, candidates explain why they want to be a councillor. They also answer questions sent in by the public via social media.
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Ten candidates are standing for the three Brighton and Hove City Council seats in the Brighton ward of Withdean.
Steve Davis is a driving instructor standing for the Greens.
This is the third election I have been heavily involved in canvassing the opinions of Withdean residents and there has been a dramatic change in the ward and in Westdene in particular.
The area has a fantastic primary school, lots of open spaces and more affordable accommodation compared to central Brighton and it has become a magnet for young families.
With this change in demographic comes a change in views and I feel my party values are better suited to the views of our burgeoning family residents
Tim Hodges is standing for the Conservatives.
I am one of that rare breed who is born and bred in Brighton and Hove and still live’s in the city.
I would be very proud to serve. The fact that I have an exceptional knowledge of the entire city I grew up in would be beneficial not just for Withdean residents but for those living in the wider conurbation.
I want to work hard and represent the residents of Withdean to ensure it continues to be a fantastic place to live and that local services including things like recycling and refuse collection are maintained to a high standard and that we do our best to eradicate the over use of plastics where necessary, but ensure we recycle these effectively and safely.
We have identified areas where parking problems can be eradicated and that school crossing safety can not only be maintained but enhanced.
I want to continue the great work Ken, Ann and Nick have carried out over the years and as a Withdean resident myself know the importance of community spirit and togetherness.
Jamie Stephen Lloyd is a transport charity officer standing for the Greens.
I would like to be a Green Party councillor so that I can work with the community to help make Brighton a cleaner and greener city.
Brighton is one of the most vibrant and colourful cities in the UK and has the potential to become a national leader in sustainability and as a Green councillor I would work hard to deliver this. I would relish the opportunity to sort out our recycling problems and help reduce traffic in the city to make our streets safer and our air cleaner.
Sarah Nield is an artist and parent standing for the Greens.
I love Brighton: I believe it’s a special place I am very lucky to live in.
It would be a privilege to be involved in making decisions about its future.
I also love the Green Party: its inclusiveness as well as its serious commitment to tackling climate change.
The Green group of councillors is full of dedicated, hardworking and inspiring people: it would be exciting to have the opportunity to work alongside them.
Nick Taylor is a parliamentary assistant, seeking re-election as a Conservative councillor.
Having been a councillor for four years I feel that I have grown into the role and become an effective champion for Withdean in the corridors of power.
I have fought for our green spaces at Westdene Green, Varndean playing fields and securing an expedited parking consultation for the Surrenden area.
However, I know there is still so much more to do to make Withdean an even better place to live. Also, as a proud Brightonian born and bred I want to help improve the running of the city too.
Steve Wade is a barrister standing for the Conservatives.
I served seven years on the city council from its inception in 1996.
I always put the interests of my constituents first and scored notable successes against Labour administration bureaucracy.
I got fences fixed on the council estate I represented (when it was against council (ie Labour) policy to fix them, and I helped the Wood Recycling Project secure council premises in central Brighton at a rent the fledgling project could afford and not the unrealistic “estimated” value the council had failed to get in 18 months.
I promise to serve Withdean with the same dedication. People first.
To all questions from the public, I fully endorse and wholeheartedly support the views expressed by my colleague Councillor Nick Taylor.
Josh Guilmant, Ian McIsaac and James Edward Thompson are standing for Labour.
Hyder Kemal Khalil is standing for the Liberal Democrats.
What are you views on the design, impact on traffic of the Valley Gardens phase three project in Old Steine which includes making Madeira Drive one way? Is this is suitable for a safe public area?
Steve Davis, Jamie Lloyd and Sarah Nield: We think reducing traffic in the city should be an absolute priority and this project is a great way of making our spaces more accessible to people on foot and on bicycle.
All over the world where town centres are made accessible to pedestrians and traffic is reduced local business and culture benefit.
At the moment the Valley Gardens are effectively a roundabout which is a great shame as this area could be a wonderful mix of walking and cycling space and community park land.
It is a great shame the project has been delayed so long by the Labour Council and we fully understand local businesses frustrations with it going on as long as it has but we are certain that the Valley Gardens should be gardens not a roundabout and that improving walking and cycling infrastructure will be of great benefit to the city.
Josh Guilmant, Ian McIsaac and James Edward Thompson: The designs are currently being drawn up to a detailed design stage.
All comments and issues raised are being addressed and we hope to see a detailed scheme which meets the needs of all residents and businesses/ visitors expected.
Those detailed designs will have to ensure that the city keeps moving while addressing the impacts of the climate change emergency and supporting a modern city where sustainable transport routes are protected and enhanced.
Tim Hodges: I have taken an interest with the Valley Garden regeneration scheme since its inception.
I support the regeneration of the Old Steine, including improving provision for walking and cycling.
I cannot see how the creation of a T junction that results in Madeira Drive being one way is beneficial.
Journeys will be longer, traffic will be diverted to side roads and air quality will almost certainly be reduced.
As someone who has lived in Brighton and Hove since birth. I think a redesign or rethink of this project is appropriate.
Nick Taylor: I fully support efforts to make our roads safer for road users, pedestrians and cyclists.
However, the current scheme proposed at the roundabout seems completely impractical and we have had a deputation at council detailing the local community’s concerns.
An urgent rethink is required with proper and meaningful consultation.
There is a huge problem with dog owners leaving waste behind, either in bags or just out in the open in parks and street. What will you do to tackle dog owners not picking up poo?
Steve Davis, Jamie Lloyd and Sarah Nield: We have some experience in this ‘sticky’ subject as Jamie runs around Preston Park most days and regularly catch dogs doing their business and their owners simply not noticing.
When pointed to owners they are always apologetic and swift to clear up after their dog and they always say ‘that’s funny they have already had a poo this morning’.
We therefore think all dog owners should pick up a dog poo when they see one, as they always have the bags on them and would be mutually understood between all dog owners.
Jamie does not own a dog but takes poo bags out while running as the level of dog poo in Preston Park quite simply disgusting.
Josh Guilmant, Ian McIsaac and James Edward Thompson: Our new enforcement officers who have been brought in-house are out and about in neighbourhoods, and targeting those whose antisocial behaviours are affecting all our lives.
We need to both educate and enforce our way out of this problem, and we want that message to get through to all who chose to leave dog mess across our city.
Tim Hodges: Dog fouling is something I am noticing more and more in and around Withdean and is very anti-social.
I think we could increase awareness with a council sponsored scheme highlighting the inconsiderate nature of dog fouling and the potential dangers, such as diseases like such as Toxocariasis.
There are scientific methods to identify those responsible, but I think introducing a more robust fining process may deter owners from allowing this.
Nick Taylor: I have tried to get additional dog waste bins installed at various problem hotspots in Withdean ward but have been told that the Labour council does not install these anymore.
I therefore support more bins, an effective information campaign but also to use best practice from elsewhere, including Europe, such as using the latest technology to identify and fine dog owners.
It is amazing how educational a fine can be.
The council is planning to roll out the installation of electric charging points. To what extent do you support this and will you commit to making these electric vehicle only parking spaces?
Steve Davis, Jamie Lloyd and Sarah Nield: The roll out of electric charging points is something we fully support.
Sales of fully electric cars have risen by over 50 per cent in the last 12 months and we need to encourage this growth.
While the switch to electric vehicles will not solve all our traffic problems (it does nothing to relieve congestion) it will help with our levels of air pollution, and that can only be a good thing.
I think that logically the parking spaces will have to be reserved for electric vehicles: pressure for parking on most of our streets is such that they will otherwise just fill up with other vehicles, rendering the charging points useless.
Josh Guilmant, Ian McIsaac and James Edward Thompson: We fully support the installation of electric vehicle charging points (EVCPs), and in fact it is the Labour council that successfully bid for £300,000 funding from the government to allow the installation of 200 EVCPs.
Test sites are already in operation.
It was noted at committee last June that the scheme might need to allow for mandatory parking bays for electric vehicle charging in the event, for example, it becomes clear that electric vehicle owners are having problems accessing advisory bays, or to adapting over time to increased demand.
Tim Hodges: I will wholeheartedly support the continuation of electric charging points appearing in the city.
It is time we as a council increased these and use a similar demographic to the one we have at Withdean Stadium and learn from that.
Nick Taylor: I absolutely support this. With the combustion energy due to be phased out by 2040 at the latest we need to future proof our transport infrastructure.
The Government has already awarded Brighton and Hove a grant to install more charging points and we need to go further and faster which will also drive forward improvements in our air quality.
If you design with children in mind you also make it good for older people and create a healthier and more inclusive place that everyone can enjoy. How are you going to make the city safe and attractive for children to move around independently?
Steve Davis, Jamie Lloyd and Sarah Nield: We need to prioritise joined-up walking infrastructure.
Children should not be trapped in their homes or prevented from walking to school by increasingly busy and dangerous roads.
One thing we would like is to create safe walking zones around schools: areas within a ten-minute walk of schools could have a planned and joined-up network of crossings so that children are not just encouraged to walk, they are actually given the right to a safe walking route to school.
The crossings would also obviously be useful to other pedestrians too.
Josh Guilmant, Ian McIsaac and James Edward Thompson: We need a range of measures to be delivered across the whole city – better protected cycling and walking routes are key to this as well as a safe reliable public transport system.
We are also committed to setting up a fund to support improved community safety and neighbourhood policing measures to give people confidence in the safety and responsiveness of their local communities.
Tim Hodges: Making a safe environment for children to feel safe whilst moving around the city is of huge importance to Withdean Conservatives.
I ran a campaign for the reintroduction for a lollipop patrol at the junction of Millers Road and Highcroft Villas last year.
My children attend Stanford Junior School. I would certainly want to discuss to introducing extra measures not only to schools but also to roads that connect parks and amusement and recreation areas public transport needs to be made safer.
I am sure public transport services and social media monitoring for parents could be enhanced to allow access to a safer roadside environment for all our children.
Nick Taylor: Improving the safety for children is especially important as we have in Withdean a very large concentration of schools at the Varndean campus.
Again, we should look for best practice internationally to see how our roads can be redesigned to improve crossing points as well as campaigning to introduce lolly-pop services at Tongdean Lane and Highcroft Villas for children to be able to walk to school safely.
I would also support better road and pavement maintenance to improve safety for cyclists and elderly pedestrians.
What is your commitment to youth work, especially on the estates and city fringes where there are few other services and higher levels of need?
Tim Hodges: As a group the Conservatives are fully committed to providing youth services.
As someone who grew up in Hangleton in the 1980s I know how important play schemes and youth services can be to ensure kids are motivated to interact in a positive and meaningful way and how this can provide great motivation for them as they move through their teenage years.
Relationships I built as I grew up,as a result of schemes and services like this have certainly benefited me in later years.
Local Conservative initiatives have saved Youth Services throughout the city over the last few years.
As mentioned from my own personal experience young people need develop their independence and social skills and not be categorised by where they are from or what they eat.
We are very committed to projects that can be developed within communities and schools, but also encouraging young people to take ownership of what they want and encourage their own ideas.
Children in Brighton and Hove should have playgrounds that are working and safe. Too many have old or damaged equipment. What do you plan to do to support young children in the city enjoy play equipment in our parks?
Steve Davis, Jamie Lloyd and Sarah Nield: Our playgrounds are a vital resource for families.
For all those of us with children and no garden or a small garden they are a regular and essential part of our lives.
If equipment is left broken for long periods of time this is disappointing for children at best, and at worst can be dangerous.
We need to understand that this is not a trivial issue and respond much more quickly when play equipment needs to be repaired or replaced.
Josh Guilmant, Ian McIsaac and James Edward Thompson: Under a Labour government the value of play was recognised, and Labour gave significant funding to local councils for playground equipment.
Locally Brighton and Hove got £2m.
This was great news, but since then government commitment has not been the same.
So the council had a report in 2016 looking at how we could keep our playgrounds as great places to play despite funding pressures, and many playgrounds across the city have been benefiting from improvement works, from Victoria Recreation Ground in Portslade to Saltdean Park.
Nick Taylor: I agree. Parks are great for children to exercise, learn social skills and just have fun.
Thanks to the ward budget scheme, outgoing Withdean councillors Ann and Ken Norman, used their portion to improve the park facility at Westdene Green.
However, the council should take responsibility and utilise developer contributions and the new Community Infrastructure Levy to ensure our parks have the best equipment for our children.
Seagulls and foxes attack bins and rubbish is strewn across city streets. Sometimes people need to step up. How will you encourage people to get involved in keeping their community tidy?
Tim Hodges: The city had become a little tatty recently. We can certainly do without the dark days of bin strikes and low recycling rates of 2013, when the Green administration and the Green MP were at loggerheads causing the city to become litter strewn and in a state of discontent.
The Labour administration appears to have let the city down –recently the area has become tired and rundown.
As born and bred Brighton I believe a Conservative administration would get service delivery sorted out and reinvigorate the pride like we had in our then twin towns in the 60s and 70s.
The Brighton and Hove Lottery – a Conservative Manifesto pledge – could play and important part in this, and will help to return our beloved public spaces to those haylcon days.
We need to encourage residents possibly through a council sponsored scheme to reinvigorate a sense of civic pride.
How would you improve our recycling service? We can’t recycle half as many things as people in other parts of the country, and our communal recycling bins are not emptied nearly often enough.
Steve Davis, Jamie Lloyd and Sarah Nield: We need to revisit the PFI contract which Labour signed with Veolia in 2003.
Residents are so frustrated with all the things we can’t recycle here which people in other parts of the country can.
But we also need to tackle the plastics problem at source: eliminating single-use plastics wherever possible is obviously better than recycling them, so for example we will make all major events in Brighton and Hove single-use plastic-free by 2020.
We will also work with organisations like Surfers against Sewage who are doing such fantastic work in the city.
Josh Guilmant, Ian McIsaac and James Edward Thompson: Labour have delivered the highest ever recorded recycling rates across the city by our innovation in roll out of recycling wheelie bins, communal recycling schemes and our garden waste scheme.
But we know that our record of 30 per cent is nothing to be complacent about. We are committed to reviewing the whole functioning of our city’s recycling schemes, and introducing a new food waste composting scheme, with the aim of taking us from the bottom of the league tables to the top.
Nick Taylor: It beggars belief that a city as green as Brighton and Hove does not have a recycling service to match; some other councils collect double what we do.
Communal recycling bins should be emptied more regularly and the council should make recycling as easy as possible.
We should look to copy the best performing councils to eliminate barriers to recycling as well as look to ensure all recyclable materials are collected.
This is especially true of single use plastic as proper recycling can help avoid it entering our oceans and choking our marine life.
Tim Hodges: We need to encourage Veolia to have a broader spectrum of what they can easily process, including food waste.
We should potentially increase the ratio of refuse bins in proportion to the recycling bins and make recycling plastics a lot more comprehensive and easy to do.
