The candidates for the forthcoming Alderley Edge Parish Council election have been announced.
Four years ago the nine Conservative were unopposed so there was no election, but this time residents will have the choice of eighteen people to fill the nine seats on Alderley Edge Parish Council when they go to the polls on Thursday 7th May.
The recently formed Alderley Edge First group have put forward nine candidates to challenge the nine representatives of the Conservative Party.
The candidates are:
- Craig Browne, Alderley Edge First
- Melanie Connor, Conservative Party
- Mike Dudley-Jones, Alderley Edge First
- Myles Garbett, Alderley Edge First
- Rachael Grantham, Alderley Edge First
- Geoff Hall, Alderley Edge First
- Martin Hallam, Conservative Party
- Duncan Herald, Conservative Party
- Eleanor Herald, Conservative Party
- Ilana Higham, Alderley Edge First
- Xanthe Holt, Conservative Party
- Sue Joseph, Conservative Party
- Frank Keegan, Conservative Party
- Christine Munro, Alderley Edge First
- Ruth Norbury, Alderley Edge First
- Nigel Schofield, Conservative Party
- Michael Taylorson, Alderley Edge First
- Mike Williamson, Conservative Party
We will publish more information about each of the candidates shortly.
Current parish councillors Mary Maczkowiak, Matthew Lloyd and Joseph Bergin are not standing for re-election.
Mary Maczkowiak and Matthew Lloyd have decided it is time to step down from the Parish Council. Mary has been a parish councillor for 12 years and Matthew joined the Parish Council in 2009. Joseph Bergin emigrated to South Africa and has not attended a Parish Council meeting since July 2013, although he has retained his seat on the Council until now.
Correction 11am 14th April: Joseph Bergin attended the monthly Parish Council meeting in July 2014 (one I missed due to holiday) and he also attended two extra planning meetings held in January 2014 and December 2014.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
You have (for the past eighteen months) had a Councillor living in South Africa!
My understanding (and I'm sure that someone will correct me if I'm wrong) is that candidates must either live in the Parish or within three miles of the Parish boundary at the time of the election.
* You must be a British, Commonweatlh or EU citizen at least 18 years old
* You must not be disqualified from holding office
* You must meet at least one of the four criteria below
a) be registered as an elector in the parish
b) during the (whole of the) last 12 months, have owned or rented property in the parish
c) during the last 12 months, your main or only place of work has been in the parish
d) during the (whole of the) last 12 months, have lived in or within 3 miles (4.8km) of the parish.
The overall feeling that you get when present is that they would rather the public were not present.
Some councillors have been very rude to members of the public, it's been shocking at times.
That is my personal opinion based on the last 2 years that I have attended most of the meetings.
They are fairly frosty affairs and a bit "dusty" in format. There is, in fairness, a twenty minute allocated slot for public comments but I detected a reluctance to engage in debate from the team during this time; I sense it is rather used to tick the box that says allow the public some time to have their say, rather than throwing the doors wide open to communication with the rest of the village. Indeed I remember the chairman telling someone who had a follow up question that "this this isn't debate, it's a parish council meeting", which was naturally an eyebrow raiser. The sad thing being of course that there was no other forum for debate on the issues prior to the meetings.
Since the Parish council website is static in nature (no forum or chance to interact there), coupled with the restrictions above at the only physical monthly meeting, I think people tend to use this website as a substitute to try and engage, with only two or three regular contributors from the council.
All of this may sound overtly negative and I don't wish it to be taken in that way as it rather cuts across the good stuff that has surely been actioned by the current team over the years. Particulary as all the time required to work on PC issues is undertaken freely.
So maybe my observations above would partly explain the poor attendance generally if not the AlderleyEdgeFIRST candidates.
All very well being in favour of consulting and being open etc. etc. Now tell us exactly how you will solve the parking nightmare (having said that if elected you will stop the car park plan for Heyes lane). You've had plenty of time to consider what you will do, so please no guff about cost-benefit stuff: Just an exact 'list' of your perceived options please.
There has been complaints from AE1 about the present PC having one member who is also CEC Councillor. Then lo and behold, AE1 put up Craig Browne for both councils. I'm sure that Craig is a splendid chap, but the merest hint of hypocrisy here?
Jonathan: the 20 minute slot for the public is to enable them to ask questions. If an answer can be given straightaway then so be it, If the answer is not available then a written answer is promised. Given that some of the questions have been well honed and are very detailed, why would an immediate answer be expected? Be fair!
So far pretty much all the Conservative candidates have appeared on alderleyedge.com or the 'social media'. Can we please hear from the AE1 candidates; instead of the 'usual suspects' (like me: oops!)
I hope you do realise that the residents of Alderley Edge who read and comment on this forum do see you as one of the good guys who is very active in your role on AEPC. You are able to continue with your good integrity and this will be supported. I do not agree with the way that AEPC has acted in recent times and it would seem that they are not listening to the residents of Alderley Edge. I have never been convinced that you have always been 100% committed to some of the recent decisions of AEPC
thank you for your kind comments. When is the next vacency for Archbishop of Canterbury?
Gizza job !
There are several possible alternative sites for a Car Park (the Parish Plan identified the land opposite Ryleys Farm, whilst Chorley Hall Lane is another possibility) and I suspect these are apparent to most people.
The fact remains however, that the existing Conservative Councillors have committed themselves to one option in particular, without having any idea how much that option is going to cost, or indeed whether other options would be cheaper.
On another topic, I do feel that the state of the Playing Fields (Park) leaves a lot to be desired. I am (sadly) old enough to remember when there was a permanent Park Keeper (something else that the Parish Plan identified a need for, but which has not been acted upon).
1. it was a compliment, so 'well done that man'.
2. I have trouble with any idea of mixing parking and football at Chorley Hall Lane; who pays for broken windows/wing mirrors? If there is to be parking at CHLane, will there not have to be hard standing put down? So green space lost? If AE1 wants to have parking put in there, who will have to pay for new drains etc. The PC? If the parking is put into CHLane, will it not have to be 8am to at least 7 pm? Which will clash with children playing football? I do not wish to seem a doom-sayer, but I feel that parking at CHLane will eventually see football driven off the site. Might you sadly agree?
3. The PC is indeed committed to the Heyes Lane site, as it seems to us to offer the best all round alternative. If there is to be a car park, there seems to be a risk to loss of green space, no matter where it goes. I can't see that saving a few allotments, when an alternative site twice the size is available for allotments (not to mention the £500 per head for re-location expenses), is so terrible a thing.
4. Ah me, the dear old 'parkie'. A terrifying chap. Are you proposing that AE1 would pay for a park keeper? What would that cost please? Did the Parish Plan suggest a cost and also who would pay?
Sorry to keep asking questions, but as long as AE1 refuse to give an account of their aims (and costings thereof) what else can one do?
Can I just call "Time Out" from the debate whilst we pause to wonder at the spectacle of one of your Conservative colleagues moving (almost) seamlessly from insulting villagers, through threatening them with legal action to praying for the redemption of their souls.
Meanwhile you stand "front of house" and fight the fight with dignity and conviction.
I might doubt the message that you bring, but I admire the way in which you bring it!
Right..... we've kicked the football around in no-mans-land..... let's get back to the trenches!
Thank you for your last comment. I was beginning to think was just me that could not detect what AE1 stand for. I am sure they mean well (like all candidates) but eventually a decision has to be made. First of all by the electorate and then by those they elect. Is it unfair to ask openly what they will do, if elected, when a decision has to be made, especially one which will be unpopular. Or do they make only popular decisions?
Perhaps they can tell us.
As stated above I am a conservative candidate. I have lived in the village since 0 years. I am keen to take an interest in all aspects of the village (e.g. development, local shops, parking, etc (these are in no particular order!) and do not consider myself to have 'a bee in my bonnet' about any one issue. I genuinely hope to make some improvements within the village should I be elected and try and assist/guide anyone who might come to me as a Parish Councillor (within the realms of power a Parish Council has of course- which I must say I believe is underestimated at times by some people on this forum).
I am aware this does not actually add anything material to the above thread per se- but previous threads have used negative umbrella terms for conservative candidates and implied that the same are inherently candid about what they stand for and/or hope to achieve. I therefore hoped the above would be the best way to outline a little about myself and ensure that I am as approachable as possible as a conservative candidate.
Secondly, whilst your summary of your aspirations as councillor is doubtless well-meant, it really doesn't tell us where you stand on any of the aspects you refer to - 'development' (for or against?), 'local shops' (what about them?), and the stick in the hornets' nest - 'parking' (can we assume that you support the proposed tarmacking of the allotments on Heyes Lane, given you are standing for the Conservative Party?).
You remark that the realm of power a Parish Council has is, in your opinion, underestimated by some people on this forum. That remark surprises me. Would you care to elaborate, please?
Claire is spot-on when she says that it is precisely because we have attended previous Parish Council Meetings, and been shocked by the behaviour of a number of the existing Councillors, that we have formed AlderleyEdgeFIRST and put up nine independent candidates.
All I would ask is that you don't infer from our absence at the last PC meeting that we are not serious, or that we are somehow lightweight. I can assure you we are not.
I'm confident that voters will know what we stand for by the time they need to, and then they can choose. They didn't have that choice last time, so I'm sure you'll agree that that is a healthy change.
Anyway, welcome - and I look forward to meeting soon.
PS I'm guessing you meant to say 'overestimated' rather than 'under' - in which case I would entirely agree with you.
You say
"I'm confident that voters will know what we stand for by the time they need to, and then they can choose. They didn't have that choice last time, so I'm sure you'll agree that that is a healthy change."
What is it that the voters will get to know and how will they get to know what it is in the short time that remains?
Why not start the ball rolling by revealing on this site what it is that you are offering as opposed to the Conservatives / other candidates.
I'm not an Alderley resident but gave 35 years of my working life to it and still hold Alderley in my heart!
Thank you for acknowledging my comment on the forum!
I had read Fenton’s and Jonathon’s comments. I must admit I have only attended 2 meetings to date and admittedly have not been introduced to any Alderley First Candidates at the same or otherwise; but I believe that some of the Alderley First candidates have never attended a meeting. Furthermore I believe that the Alderley First have stated that all their candidates are ‘apolitical’? Yet there is an affiliation to the Alderley Conservatives from one candidate I have noticed via social media.
In relation to your second comment- I stand by the aspirations as outlined in the Conservative candidates’ leaflet (which you may or may not have seen a copy of?). I posted some myself this morning before I went to work but may not have been in your precise area of the village. I am for ‘development’ of the village to create a ‘vibrant’ Alderley Edge which has thriving businesses and leisure opportunities. I would like to see all shops used/rented/working in some capacity and would like to try and create parking schemes to relieve local residents concerns and accommodate business users’ needs. Should I be elected I intend to speak to local residents and business owners alike to get their views and then in turn try and implement some of these.
Finally, your last comment (I must admit, as per Geoff’s comment following yours; I made a typo – I meant “over” rather than “under” estimated). In my opinion may people overestimate what is and what is not within the Parish Council’s control- it must be remembered that the current (and I would imagine any previous parish counsellors) donate their free time in an honest attempt to try and make Alderley Edge a better village; not everyone will agree or disagree with everything that has been done or suggested in the past (that is life) - but they are all human and I genuinely believe try their best with everything! I honestly think that people UNDERestimate the amount of time parish councillors put into their role.
Hi Geoff
Thank you too for acknowledging my post. I’m sorry you did not introduce yourself at the previous meeting; please do if we come across each other again. You will undoubtedly have read my replies to Claire above if you are reading this now, so I need not repeat myself in this regard.
I did not mean to offend you personally re your non-attendance at the latest PC meeting- but I still do not believe that ALL of the Alderley Edge First candidates have attended a PC or are apolitical (my interpretation of ‘apolitical’ being that a individual has never associated themselves with a political social media page).
I agree with your final comment- the village will undoubtedly make a decision on May 7th- I guess at which point our discussions on this forum become entirely redundant! I would note however that other comments are suggesting that the Alderley First manifesto is forthocming on this forum- and I would agree with them!!
Thanks Elly Herald
I am not a member of any political party.
I have been to Parish Council meetings and they were not an edifying experience - which fact has been one of the main reasons I chose to stand for Alderley Edge FIRST.
I am at a loss to understand the stressing about an AEFirst manifesto. We are not a political party, we are a group of individuals. We don't have people 'on high' in a National Political Party telling us what we must do or not do. Some posters on here keep saying we must say what plans we have for car parking. I say we don't need to commit to anything until we are elected, and then we will explore all options. I have a grand master plan myself but it will need research and costing after the election.
I believe that our independence from any political party will be our strength, if we are voted in.
We have been canvassing all week, amongst people on the estate where we live. A few people have mentioned the old 'Village Enhancement Committee'. While we're not limited to planters and potholes, these are the basics. We hope to extend the usefulness of the Parish Council along these lines, improving life for people in the village.
This is what I believe a Parish Council is for. One cannot write a manifesto for that.
Thank you for your comment. I thought it was important to introduce myself on the forum; but equally I am trying to avoid any antagonistic comments or make any assumptions about candidates.
My understanding is that local people (voiced on this forum) are asking for more information on what you/Alderley First are offering- if the people who are voting (and ultimately deciding) want more information then surely it should be forthcoming. I don’t think they are asking you to commit/promise anything, just make proposals about what you would be researching and costing were you to become a Parish Councillor.
Would you be happy to say what your grand master plan is now? Or is this something you would want to wait to voice after the election?
Thanks Elly
I'm sure that they are smart enough to know that they will have to make some difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions. What pleases me is that they appear to have a wide enough range of interests and experience to make sure that decisions are made in the right way.
Forget the talk of manifestos, policies etc. This is a Parish Council! We simply want good people, trying to do good things for the good of the village as a whole in a way that makes people feel included.
The blind tribalism of traditional politics is hardly something to aspire to. Whatever the colours of our particular tribe lets vote for what's good for the village.
Iam unsure what you are reading I couldn't find out all those facts. In fact some of the people standing have not made any comment at all on any forum. I would say they are very frugal with any information.
I can't imagine another Parish Council anywhere, being able to call upon such a wide spread of skills and experience.
I have not yet seen any details of the AE1 candidates other than their names but I await it with interest. Does it by any chance indicate what they stand for or what they propose to do for us in AE if elected. That way they might have a mandate from the voters of AE. Anything less seems to indicate they wish to be elected to do whatever they want regardless of the wishes of AE.
If they are what you say they are (and I am sure they are) no doubt they will realise this and let us all know before 7 May.
The new guys will be, at the very least, receptive to new ideas - let's give them a chance :D
And I am not new (if elected)? I live in this village, too, and will be answerable to the electorate. The absence of clarity from AE1 shows a lack of respect to that same electorate? Naivety is no excuse. They are candidates like the rest of us.
It does strike me that if you look at the numerous posts on this site over it's history, that the common theme is that the current Parish Council shows disrespect to the people of AE. I do not say that all the councillors are disrespectful, as they are clearly not, but Frankly the one with the loudest voice has proved his disrespect and the rest of the council get tarred with the same brush.
It looks to me that AE1 are making a very clear statement that they WILL listen to people's opinions and respect their views and use their diverse talents to solve the issues that arise in a way that benefits the village as a whole without any personal gain. If that is what is desired by the electorate then they will win seats, if it is not, the status quo will be maintained.
First of all, I am delighted to see some younger candidates. I think that Alderley Edge has suffered to date by not having people on the parish council who represent the younger (voting) population here. Have their views been considered in the past (or dismissed as immaterial)? Common sense would suggest that many of the more innovative and exciting ideas come from the younger generations (just look at the Sunday Times Rich List for proof of this), so lack of experience does not, in my book, suggest inability to succeed. Quite the contrary.
Secondly, AE1 have candidates who have board level experience in companies with household names. Can the current Parish Councillors claim the same? This kind of experience is invaluable when operating an organisation where every penny counts. These people are used to being fully accountable to the shareholders they serve. Transfer that accountability to a Parish Council scenario, and I think we can reasonably expect full transparency and accountability to the community that it serves. How refreshing!
Thirdly, but no less importantly, I see candidates who state clearly that they want to see progress and pro-activity, whilst still preserving the 'essence' of the village that we all love. And, let's face it, that's why we live here.
AlderleyEdgeFIRST will have my full support, come May 7th. Good luck to them!
I am a younger candidate: 27.
I do not have board level experience within a company; however I managed to qualify as a Solicitor during the recession when training contracts were like gold dust. Neither of my parents are lawyers and I worked full time and cared for my Grandfather at home (who had dementia), whilst completing my legal studies in conjunction with my training- I think this shows how much “get up and go” I have and my pro-activity!!
As a Solicitor I am fully aware of the need for transparency and accountability; and I can assure you have both of these traits. I apply them throughout the day at work!
Does this mean you would consider voting for me as well or not as I am open about my political voting stance.
Thanks Elly
Good for you, standing as a younger candidate. I wasn't sure, as I hadn't read a profile about you (and, to be honest, I did wonder if you were Duncan Herald's wife!). Perhaps you are his daughter? Taking care of your sick grandfather, along with full time work and legal studies does sound like a plateful. I hope your parents gave you a bit of support along the way! I'm a single parent who works full time, running her own business, so I know a bit about plate-spinning....
In answer to your question: If, as a representative to of the Conservative party for the Parish Council, this means you fully endorse the paving over of the covenanted land that is currently used for allotments in the village, then I'm afraid you will not have my vote.
But I wish you the best of luck!
Appreciate you responding so quickly and honestly.
I am Duncan's daughter.
You’re correct- I do endorse the current PC's plans and vision as a whole for the village.
Can I infer from what you've said that Alderley Edge First have confirmed to you that they will not be creating a car park on the allotments in question? I thought earlier threads on the forum had stated they would consider all options and financial solutions and then make a decision? I wasn't aware they had promised that if they were voted in the site would definitely remain as allotments. Is this what you have been told? Do you know which alternative site they have suggested for a car park in the village or parking solution- I presume you asked this as I get the impression you have spoken to one or more of the AEF candidates?
Thanks Elly
I think you are correct in your statement 'they would consider all options and financial solutions and then make a decision'.... which is one of the reasons why they get my support. They are not (unlike the Conservative candidates, including you and your father) agreeing that the paving over of the Heyes Lane allotments is the only solution to the parking problem in Alderley Edge. This is not a conclusion I have reached as a result of a conversation or conversations with AE1 candidates. It is the message they have relayed clearly in their public communications. And I support it, wholeheartedly. Particularly given the degree of contention the whole issue has raised in this community.
In answer to your question, 'which alternative site have they suggested?', I would take you back to your original summary - i.e. 'they will consider all options and financial solutions'. How can they suggest an alternative, until they have done that? Have the Conservatives? And, if so, can they share the data? Everything I have read from them to date is anecdotal (at best).
I guess the coming elections will reflect the wishes of the electorate. I'm confident that I am not alone in my position on this. But the voters will confirm or deny whether my confidence is well-placed.
As I said, best of luck.
I have never said it is the only solution to ‘the parking problem’. There are different issues surrounding parking: needs of business users, needs of parents/carers dropping children off at schools, needs of residents, needs of shoppers...the list goes on. They all pose different problems. The car park which would be by the medical centre would be a solution to some of the aforementioned. I think other measures would also need to be taken-e.g. yellow lines on some residential roads (some I believe have already been done).
AE1 must have ideas about other areas they propose a car park on? Surely they have started to consider this? Surely they have a list of sites they propose to consider as options which they can then go on to financially consider? Out of interest where do you believe the best place would be for a car park; or do you think the village does not need one?
I have spoken about the ongoing contention with a few who live in the village and they have not voiced any concern over the proposed car park. I am not trying to undermine your view on this point- I am just stating what people have said to me.
I appreciate you want the allotment to stay as it and so we will continue to disagree on that matter. Do you think that the new medical centre is a fantastic concept and will add so much to the village? Surely you would give the current PC a “pat on the back” in that regard. I genuinely think it will be an asset for the village and a real achievement for Alderley Edge!
Thank you again for continuing to engage with me on here.
Thanks Elly
I also would prefer the council members to have done the job before.
Alderley Edge is the best place I have ever lived, but it needs improvement and this may involve using Parish Council money instead of C E money, but we must think hard in the future as to how it is spent and not wasted.
Replacing benches that no one sits on is a waste of money
Christmas lights etc.nice but costly, and still on ?
Website costs £1000 (2015 on)
etc etc.
I read the latest brochure this afternoon Clare, but what I would like to be made clear is who the AE First candidates vote for in the General Election !
I am open about my views, UKIP and Right Wing.
If the car park is next to, and linked with the new medical centre with the entrance off Heyes Lane it will alleviate the traffic on Stamford Road, Talbot Road and Moss Lane and more to the point, is that if the car park was free or a nominal charge it would take a lot of the cars off the village streets by people that work there, for example Chess telecom just up the road, and a much bigger car park would be a great asset to the Festival Hall for all the functions.
The bottom line is how many people will be inconvenienced to how many people will benefit.
I think there is a way to have a car park with a greater capacity than the one proposed on the allotments and keep a thriving playing field. All it needs is the will to make it work. You can see an image of how it might work by following this link. https://www.dropbox.com/s/e5onoajmdg7twav/Chorley%20hall%20lane%20car%20park.jpg?dl=0
The biggest issue in Alderley at the moment is the building of a car park, without doubt.
The subject of building a car park alongside the Festival Hall dominates all others, so we need to know exactly whether these Alderley Edge First candidates are FOR or AGAINST the car park being built where the existing allotments are situated ?
I'm sure all candidates read this wonderful alderleyedge.com forum so I ask for each of them to say whether they are FOR or AGAINST the car park being built on the current allotment site ?
(and if they DON'T read this, then maybe we shouldn't be voting for them anyway) ?
All Candidates ............. Heyes Lane Allotments converted to Car Park ?
YES ?
NO ?
At least then, we'll know their views, as opposed to some of them sitting on the fence.
Can you please confirm that you do in fact live and work in Stockport? With the greatest of respect I think you should leave this issue with the long suffering residents who are on a daily basis afflicted by the chronic parking situation. Also the parking image you suggest only accounts for a small number of cars. We need scope for about 145 cars. Alderley First's primary goal is to stop the allotments from being turned into a car park I agree with a lot of comments here they need to come off the fence and say Yes.
I can confirm that I do live in the Stockport area. I can also confirm that my image does only show room for 130 cars. It is merely to illustrate that alternatives to the allotment site are possible.
I think anyone who visits AE is effected by the parking situation.
Just trying to be constructive.
Come on Alderley First candidates answer "YES" or "NO" to the Heyes Lane Allotments being converted to Car Park. I've confirmed my "yes" on the matter. People voting want to know each individuals' stance.
And Ruth Norbury what is your 'grand master plan' referred to on 17th April- be open and transparent like you suggest good councillors should be.
Thanks Elly
The 'parking' issue is of great concern to those of us who live in this Village and any new Parish Council must do the very best they can to improve the situation. We have said, from the start, that we propose to re- assess the whole situation, examine all the possible options or combination of options, cost these, discuss these with Cheshire East and other interested parties, including businesses, schools, residents and the Police.
We should all be mindful of the current situation. The existing Council have decided that concreting over Heyes Lane Allotments is the answer. They chose to ignore the opinions expressed by 1850+ Village people when they signed the following Statement "We, the undersigned, as residents of Alderley Edge, object to the Parish Council's plans to destroy the Heyes Lane allotments and replace them with a car park".
This clearly came as a bit of a shock to the Parish Council who then announced that the people who had signed were in some way pressurised into signing. They had been 'door-stepped', apparently!
In order to support this accusation they gave the impression that the Market Research Association had told them that the petition "was not worth the paper it was written on". What an extraordinary way to go about 'respecting the views of the Village they represent. When those who carried out the Petition asked the Parish Council for the names of those who had complained about being 'door -stepped' so that their names could quite properly be removed from the document no response from the Parish Council was forthcoming. I would love to see the Market Research Association letter - or was it convenient phone call?
We have asked repeatedly for the legal documents that show that the Parish Council is entitled to seize this land despite it being the wish of the family who bequeathed it to the Village asking that it be only used for Recreation.
AlderleyEdgeFIRST if elected will look at ALL the options. We will bear in mind public opinion. We will discuss, present, appraise and cost what could be done and when as many are in agreement as possible we will act.
What we won't do is attempt to bludgeon our opinions on our Village - nor, when people express their disagreement loudly, will we ignore them and treat them like fools!
I can assure you we are a much needed 'breath of fresh air'.
The parking issue does indeed affect everyone in the village either because their roads or drives are obstructed or because they cannot park when they need to. It affects my home most working days and is slowly turning a pleasant place into an unpleasant place riven with disputes, arguments and sometimes minor collisions. The decision made needs to be the correct decision, of course, but what are the arguments against the use of Heyes Lane? Is it green space lost? Or is it a covenant? Or more relevant to solving the problem, is it the cost? Or is it in the wrong place? There seems little expression of the latter two more of the former two from AE1 and their arguments seem allotment centric rather focussing on resolving the problem.
At the end of the day, allotments are not being lost, they are being moved AND expanded. I appreciate there may be an issue in respect of a covenant but there are established legal ways of dealing with that. Are those concerned with the allotments using them?
AE1 candidates: do the decent thing and declare your real position.
In order to make a balanced judgement on the pro's and con's for relocating the Heyes Lane allotments, please could you reply with the following information, which I do not believe has been available on this site previously:-
1/ How many single plots are there?
2/ How many plot holders are there (with members of one family counting as one)?
3/ How many plots are held by the electorate of AE parish?
4/ How many plots, if any, are vacant?
5/ If none, how many people (only electorate of AE parish) are there on a waiting list?
Thanking you in anticipation.
Can you at least outline what 'options' you will consider. Where are your personal suggestions for a car park site. Are you FOR or AGAINST moving the HL allotments to the other site and putting a car park by the medical centre?
Are you able to answer these questions?
Thanks Elly
You seem to ask a lot of questions, and there seems to be a lot of is it this or, is it that's? Have you ever considered it might be all of those things, well apart from cost because that has not been looked into.
If you are having disputes and arguments then maybe you just need to calm down a bit, and also try your best to stop crashing into people.
When the allotment on Heyes Lane was given to the people of Alderley Edge it was done so with a covenant. That was presumably done by the De Trafford estate to stop it being used for purposes that it was not intended for. If you are not sure what the significance of a covenant is then I suggest you have a chat with your fellow concervative Elly Herald. She should be able to explain. You have said that it is your intention if elected to create a car park on the allotments. You have no data as to the cost, no data as to the return, no advice as to the possibilities of lifting the covenant, no data as to its possible useage and no idea why the residents of AE might not want it. However, you ask us to believe that you are a suitable person for election to the PC.
Let me ask you a question. If you decided that you wanted a bigger driveway to your house, would you comit to that without knowing its cost, without checking any legal restrictions, not knowing how many cars you have, or what you neighbours or family might feel? Assuming that you are not a very wealthy, narcissistic sociopath, I suggest the answer would be no.
Do you not think that Mike has answered that question? In psychology there is a thing called 'splitting', it is where someone sees things in only black and white and can't really see the grey. I think the grey make all the difference.
No sorry, I do not think my questions (pleural) have been answered in their entirety. I am genuinely intrigued as to AE1's ideas which may/may not be looked into/costed at a later date post election. That's why I asked. I am asking about their ideas; and surely ideas constitute the 'grey' you refer to.
I understand the definition of 'splitting' thank you; I am lucky enough to have my primary degree in cognitive neuroscience.......but thank you for the Wikipedia definition to save any confusion.
Thank you for your comment, Elly
It seems a shame that people on here imply that because you don't live in Alderley Edge you are not worthy of posting an opinion.
As far as a covenant is concerned, was there not a covenant on the Cottage hospital? If so, that is no reason then for a covenant to stand in the way now.
Your not losing a green space, your gaining a bigger one!
Would any of the AE1 candidates care to reply?
I think their ideas are all of those which the incumbent council have failed to see. You may understand the definition of splitting, it does not seem to stop you doing it.
Your dad has always impressed me by not following the party line but doing what he believes in. Why not try something that is uniquely yours. On voting day get people to tick the box because of your name not because of the conservative tag.
However, the "Independents / AlderleyEdgeFIRST" team are not prepared to say whether they want this Car Park to go ahead or not ?
They're hedging their bets and say they are "proposing to re-assess the whole situation and examine all possible options" etc, etc.
How can we take these people seriously when they are not prepared to say they're either FOR or AGAINST the proposed Car Park ?
At least all the Party Candidates for the GENERAL Election know what they're standing for and whether their party is FOR or AGAINST Nuclear Subs / Military spending / EU referendums, etc, so, ,,,,,,,,,, what are these AlderleyEdgeFIRST candidates afraid of and why can't they declare they're either FOR or AGAINST the Car Park ?
Not one of them have declared they're either FOR or AGAINST ?
Stand up and be counted ............. we all want to know your hidden agenda ?
Hey, I'm only kidding- no doubt he will be back, threatening court-action on those who voted him in. Vote sensibly folks...
I do ask a lot of questions. It is my job. I am a lawyer. Unfortunately, my cross examination of Alderley Edge First shows them to be equivocal on certain critical issues. However since you want some answers, there are some below:
1. I know perfectly well what a covenant is and equally well what can be done about them but
will refrain from writing the essay here;
2. I have not crashed into anyone (although I have fallen off my bike but it was my fault and involved no one else - wheelies, what can I say? [apologies for the question]).
3. There are quite a number of people who park and obstruct my driveway and cause obstructions to passing cars in the road where I live.
4.. I am not wealthy (although I am not sure why that might be relevant - can you tell me? [sorry for another question]);
5. I have not noticed any narcissistic tendencies (you would understand if you knew me - which of course you do not)
6. I seem to get on quite well with most people.
I am not perfect however and will leave it to those who do actually know me to judge. That group does currently exclude you. Normally such an exclusion would disqualify any rational person from making a comment such as yours (normally because they would think it intemperate or displayed poor judgement). Oh….
Leaving me to one side for a moment the driveway is a poor analogy because my only choice would be expand it or not. We do not quite have that situation in Alderley Edge unless you are suggesting nothing be done about the parking. The solution to the parking needs to be just that - a solution. A car park that does not solve the problem is a waste of space and money. The actual solution will involve balancing a number of factors, although I am not entirely sure that the pre eminent amongst those should be the popularity of the PC. The points you make revolve around keeping the allotments and a covenant imposed some time ago which allegedly prevents it neither of which focus on solving the problem.
I respect your view and your right to hold it and I am sorry we cannot agree on this, but at least my colleagues and I are prepared to stand up as are 'your' candidates. I may disagree with them but I would not dream of being offensive towards them.
Hi Mrs. Norbury,
As you can see I am the third Hallam. I would dearly like to see how you manage to get 130 car parking spaces on a football pitch without impeding the football pitch. My email address is . If you have a spare copy I would love to see one.
Having played there myself, I can tell you there is no way on earth you would ever fit 130 car parking spaces on that pitch. I believe the planning tool used there was photoshop. However I am not a surveyor and maybe there is a dark art to car-parks. Can I also ask what disability allowances there are for that car park as such a narrow pavement means wheel chairs, or in fact anyone who isn't as slim as Sir Bradley Wiggins, cannot get through? The pavement would have to be made wider to accommodate the heavily increased foot traffic. That would make the road too narrow and I'm pretty sure there are restrictions on that too. Also, the entrance would be beyond the crest of a hill making entry and exit very dangerous. I suppose traffic lights to control flow over the bridge might be an option but that is yet more cost I would expect not to mention the congestion that ensue as people queued down past Fosters and back into the high street
First, I am not aware of any legal right for any Parish Council to do so despite what you might have been told. Repeated requests for proof that they can have not yielded much in this regard. Building a car park on land you are not allowed to build on however much some people think it might solve the Village car parking problems could be a risky strategy.
Second, 1850 + residents of this Village have been ignored when they objected to it...
... and third and probably the most serious and alarming reason is that I have absolutely no respect for the way the existing Council treats the residents of this Village. They would have us all believe that every option has been explored, costed, appraised and discussed. But they don't discuss anything with anyone. You get told what is happening here - and we have
been for too long. We are all part of an appalling exercise in public relations.
It is for this one reason that AlderleyEdgeFIRST came into existence. We are as capable as any Parish Council in the land. We have huge skills and we are determined to work hard for this Village, sharing our thoughts, being open and transparent and solving issues as well as we are able to.
I know that some of you will continue to want to take issue with us about what our thoughts are about parking, the allotments and the like. Focus more on what you might want in your Parish Council. You might enjoy an open bright friendly happy group rather than what our Village has now.
You will be joining many hundreds of supporters who will vote for AlderleyEdgeFIRST on 7th May despite our annoying trait of not being ready yet to share what our conclusions are to the complex issues that face our Village.
But they all have confidence in our abilities and our manners which is what we want.
I think we are yet to hear from either of the two schools, the staff and parents of which seem to be the prime cause of some of the parking woes (or should that be wars?).
Have the existing Council had any meaningful dialogue with the schools, if so, what was the outcome?
Your second comment is (I think) a compliment for Duncan and his work as a PC so for that I thank you. I agree with what my fellow conservative candidates have done previously and what they hope to achieve were they elected. I agree with turning the allotments into a car park- the position within the village and by the new medical centre makes sense -and for me preservation of a recreational ground for CHILDREN is more important that for 14 or so allotment holders (especially given they are being provided with a larger allotment site and compensation). I am sorry that my opinions are not unique enough for you- but a disjointed and fractured PC is not what the village needs. In fact a cohesive PC (like the Conservative candidates) is what is needed to ensure the medical centre is provided, parking solutions are found for the village and the projects in the park and memorial garden are followed through.
With reference to your photo of a car park - I think Max may be right. But he has popped his email there so let me know if you send him over anything which provides your measurements and I will ask him to forward me a copy (not keen on putting my email address on this forum )............oh careful, that might be me being ‘unique’! Your drawing has obviously taken some time out of your day (and I thank you and am astonished you pay so much interest in a village you don’t live or work in) but I really think it’s dangerous to post something like that until you clarify whether you have measured plots, considered planning laws, etc.. Sorry if you have done all of the above in anticipation.
Finally, out of interest I presume given your involvement on this forum, that you are or have been a parish councillor where you live? Which PC was it/is it? Did you stand as an independent candidate or affiliated with a political party?
Thanks Elly
We are favouring a more democratic approach by consulting our Village and then reappraising the situation once all the possible options have been evaluated if we are elected.
Why are these Conservative candidates so fussed about what we will do? They have already decided to continue in the way the old Parish Council behaved. That is fine with us.
let the people on our Village decide
Far be it from me to offer advice to someone who declares such an illustrious education but I would suggest that the use of sarcasm and insults, no matter how hard you wish to make a point, have not served your Conservative colleagues well in the past.
Regardless of where Martin Dixon may live or work, his ideas and efforts are to be welcomed and applauded.
I am certainly NOT a Conservative Candidate but I AM concerned that the majority of the Independent / AlderleyEdgeFIRST candidates are not prepared to admit they are FOR or AGAINST the Heyes Lane Car Park, so why should the electorate vote for candidates who are not prepared to declare what their policies are ?
So far, you state that you, Ruth Norbury, Geoff Hall and Craig Brown are clearly AGAINST the Car Park and want to keep the Allotments.
The others, presumably, are not prepared to disclose their hidden agenda ?
As you say, the electorate will decide ,,,,,,,,,,, but they will also take into consideration that most of your colleagues are sitting on the fence and not declaring their views on the Car Park situation ?
Sounds as though you want us to vote for the Independent/AlderleyEdgeFIRST candidates but, if you get voted in, you can do whatever you want ?
It all sounds a bit devious to me ?
To all readers on this forum, apologies about going on about the Heyes Lane Car Park subject but it is the most important item on the Alderley Edge village agenda and we want to know what all candidates are standing for ?
I am certainly not impressed by candidates who cannot admit what their proposals are ?
The 150 space, unless filled, would struggle to justify the cost, without the amendment of loopholes to encourage its use. Why park on HL when you can park for free on Greystoke, Church La , the Railway CP, the Park etc.
The published / audited CE figures show in 2011 gave a per day / per bay uptake on the Festival Hall of 0.17p. Who would fund this on those figures ?
There were no measurements necessary to produce my photo to illustrate the viability of a car park at CHL. I did it in Photoshop and used satellite images from Google, one of the existing football field and one of South Street car park, both were at the same magnification so equality of scale was maintained. I also moved the existing football pitch slightly north, whilst again maintaining its scale.
I will admit that I did erase the existing changing rooms. I would estimate that if they were kept there would probably be ten fewer parking spaces. I will also agree that the footpath is not very wide and this may make disabled access more challenging, but if there was then an increase in disabled bays in South Street or on London Road this would negate the effect.
There may be issues with the current field getting waterlogged but I am sure that the construction of a suitable hardcore base will overcome this. The ground is relatively level. The ground at the allotment site is far from level and it does have a brook running through it.
As I have said before; all I have tried to do is illustrate that there could be merit in this site. It would need investigating further. The only way that investigation will happen if for there to be a change in control of the Parish Council as all Conservative candidates have stated that the allotments is the only site for a car park.
1850 people decided that they did not want Heyes Lane to be turned into a car park. The legal position surrounding the seizing of the site remains a little unclear.
So if you are FOR the car park your elected Parish Council must first show that they have a legal entitlement to make the change and then WE think it might be very wise to consult with the Village and look at every option afresh before any further move is made. Better, surely, to have residents on your side than to expect them to do as they are told! Especially when we are talking about over half the Village!
I hope that helps you to understand the democratic stance we at AlderleyEdgeFIRST would prefer to take. If it doesn't I really don't think I can help you further at this stage.
Hi Mike
I see that you are back on the site answering comments, and there are many posts on this thread, so you may have missed mine at 8.05 pm yesterday. Please is it possible for you to give me the information I requested.
Thanking you in anticipation.
Lawrence
I fully welcome you as a new impassioned conservative candidate as I too think we need younger blood active and involved, but I must say that I think that the conservative stance on the car park is making the PC election a 1 x issue choice. I would like to at least see all the solutions scoped out, costed and fully understood first. It's such an important decision.
There also looks to be statements being made which are not wholly accurate, nor representative of an alternative solution which has been proposed.
The option being mooted is not the removal of a children's space per se, but a potential move of said space to the proposed allotment site. Therefore, allotments stay at HL, CHL move to new site, Parking moves to CHL. It may not be possible, but isn't it worth some thought?
We all feel strongly about it, and I think it's important that all facts are considered and acknowledged when it's being discussed. The below part of your recent post cherry picked part of the solution, sensationalized it with capitals, and ignored the final piece of the proposal (move of CHL to new site) which is frustrating for me as part of the electorate, as the implied result is distorted from what was actually proposed or could be achieved.
"...and for me preservation of a recreational ground for CHILDREN is more important that for 14 or so allotment holders"
Regardless of the medical centre discussion, this land was gifted to the village of AE and we shouldn't ride roughshod over a covenant. You say that the prescient has been been set (I think it's happened twice) but that doesn't mean we should do it a third time.
Finally, we seem to be having a pop at the AE1 candidates for not all being lively commentators on this site, but we've not seen all the incumbents/conservative candidates weighing in either.
Good Luck with it, we'll see what happens.
As feared I think comments on forums such as this can be misconstrued in their tone. I thanked Martin Dixon for his interest- I genuinely was astonished as I do not think I would find the time to engage as he does about a village I do not live or work in. This was not meant as an insult.
When you refer to my illustrious education in such a negative manner all i can do is apoligise for working hard at school and university and having part-time jobs from the age of 13 to try and better myself as a person. I referred to my primary degree in response to martin’s derogatory comment to me suggesting that I was unable to have the capacity to comprehend a psychotically phenomenon.
Far be it from me to offer advice to someone who declares such an illustrious education but I would suggest that the use of sarcasm and insults, no matter how hard you wish to make a point, have not served your Conservative colleagues well in the past.
Martin Dixon,
Thank you for your time responding (genuine thank you- not sarcastic).
Hi Victoria,
Thank you too for your comments. You’re correct – we’ll know by 8th. I did go out campaiging last night and spoke to some residents who were all very polite and interested in listening to why I and the other conservative candidates are standing. The reception was great!
Thanks Elly
So is this what parish council elections have come to?
I fully share the views expressed by Malcolm McClean in that parish councils are not about party allegiances but should be about the best person for the job - and the AE1 candidates, who are standing as independents, have a wide range of skills. All organisations need to change regularly to reflect our rapidly changing world and AE1 presence in the council is bound to add value.
I'm not really bothered about any candidate's political party as it seems at odds with being parish councillors who should only act in the interests of AE residents free of party dogma. Those candidates labelled as Conservative cannot act as independents, by definition.
I'll be voting for all of the independent AE1 candidates since they are not standing for a political party.
Whether there are 2, 52 or 152 allotment holders on Heyes Lane has no bearing on the car park issue as we at AlderleyEdgeFIRST see it.
The land was bequeathed to this Village by a family for 'recreation'. Under certain circumstances a covenant can be removed and the existing Parish Council is determined to do that if they are returned to office by the electorate.
Our issue with this is that half the Village don't want this to happen so it seems to us a democratic step forward to discuss this whole matter further with those in the Village that we are attempting to represent.
We may find a better solution or solutions but until we start the process we won't know.
There is nothing wrong with your view that this Village must have a car park on Heyes Lane. But there is also nothing wrong with delaying the announcement of a long term parking plan for this Village that might allow the Heyes Lane site to remain as a green space covered with shrubs and trees not concrete.
Let us ask our residents what they think. After all they haven't been asked before - by this Parish Council; they have just been told!
I hope my reply is helpful.
Thanks Elly
I really do appreciate your words of thanks and I feel they are sincere. So could I ask you to do something for me; if you are elected to the PC, will you promise me you will look objectively at the Chorley Hall Lane site and evaluate its viability?
Thank you Mike for your response, but I fail to see how you hope it was helpful when you did not answer my questions.
All you needed to do was give me five figures, which I am sure you must have, instead of going to the trouble of repeating much of what you have written in earlier posts.
You could have added the ryder, that they have "no bearing on the car park issue as we at AlderleyEdgeFIRST see it".
In your section of the AlderleyEdgeFIRST A3 glossy flyer that I received through my letterbox you wrote "I also want to ensure that the Parish Council engages in REAL and EFFECTIVE two-way communications with local residents, treats people with respect and earns the right to their respect in return." You've failed me on that count.
So first question, when you say "as we at AlderleyEdgeFIRST see it" were you speaking on behalf of all nine of your candidates?
You said "There is nothing wrong with your view that this Village must have a car park on Heyes Lane", but I have not said or suggested that is my view.
Again, on your section of the A3 flyer you wrote "I want to bring more business discipline to the running of the Parish Council", but on the basic discipline of getting your facts right you failed.
I asked you questions that I believed I needed answers to in order to make a balanced judgement on the issues surrounding our village's biggest single problem of parking and traffic.
I have for the past thirty five years run my own very successful and profitable businesses, and asking questions and being thorough is what I do, and I work on facts not emotions. I do believe the questions I asked are relevant.
I have first hand experience of a covenant dispute, and they are by no means cut and dry, as you have already mentioned. In your defence of the covenant I think you could be asked for, if you have not already, the information I have requested, because it could be considered relevant.
I politely ask you again please for the information that I requested on Monday, in order for me to have the full facts, before I exercise my voting rights on the 7th May.
Again, thanking you in anticipation.
Lawrence
Thank you for your reply. I do not have the figures you want with me at home so you will have to wait until tomorrow before I can send them to you.
Alternatively, I am out in the Village tomorrow and if it would help you I would be happy to call round to see you, introduce myself and discuss the figures and issues that concern you as best I can. If you favour that perhaps you you could email me on our Yahoo email address which is on our leaflets.
AlderleyFirst your freshness is welcome , your lack of real vision is naive to be honest , I have no time for the current PC , but if you want to win get your act together ,,,,a good suggestion might be to reduce PC to 3 people rather than waste of time 9 ....
Thank you Mike for your response, and for your offer to meet, but I'm happy to wait for your posting.
I asked for the information you need at 7.10 this morning. I will get back to you shortly.
You are correct in your earlier post and I did misread your question. Whilst we wait for the precise information you need I do know that we have 27 plots on our Heyes Lane Register for 2014. These were held by 22 individual/family plot holders in 2014 so you will see that some were either vacant or held as an 'additional' plot.
Of these holders, 7 have addresses outside Alderley Edge (Wilmslow 5 and Macclesfield 2). Whilst Macclesfield Borough Council held the Waiting Lists, then Cheshire East Council it has been the norm for people seeking allotments across Cheshire East to be offered one wherever it might be. We have a number of 'outside' addresses at our other two sites too.
Since 2014 season a large number of Heyes Lane holders have vacated the site because of the uncertainty surrounding the site and the bullying hostile approach taken be the Parish Council. Some have been accommodated at Chorley Hall Lane and Beech Close whilst others have decided that their will and desire has been exhausted and frustrated by the current tactics.
Many believe, as do a huge number in the Village, that a car park at Heyes Lane will do little or nothing to alleviate our parking problems. They believe that this 'lack of use' will pave (!) the way for more housing in due course. That surely is why covenants are placed on land parcels?
As a background point, allotments are subject to periodic spurts of interest before this dies away. Around 2008-2009 there was very high demand for them but our current waiting list numbers just a handful.These are are already programmed in to vacancies we have in both Chorley Hall Lane Site and the Heyes Lane site we are discussing. This can lead to some holders taking on two plots rather than allow a vacant site to become overgrown and unsightly.
There is currently no need for any alternative site at Lydiat Lane for allotment use as is being suggested although that site may have other uses in any attempt to unravel other options and help to solve the main parking issues facing the Village.
Again before the precise numbers you need are sent perhaps I could make one relevant point.
Had this Parish Council behaved properly and had they shown that every possible solution had been carefully assessed, evaluated and costed and had they presented their findings well to the Village they represent there is every chance that work might have already started on at least part of the Heyes Lane site by now.
AlderleyEdgeFIRST was born out of this Village's frustration with this Parish Council that fails to represent us. It is their public relations that might be their undoing on 7th May. They are all individually capable I am sure and they have all given their time freely and without reward.
But the way they conduct themselves if far from impressive and it is that that worries a lot of people.
Lawrence, I will post your numbers as soon as I am able. Thank you for your patience.
"Subject: URGENT HELP NEEDED
Hi Mike,
Here is the information you asked for:
1/ How many single plots are there?........... 27 plots in total.
2/ How many plot holders are there (with members of one family counting as one)? ...............20 in total; 14 from AE, 4 from Wilmslow, 2 from Macclesfield.
3/ How many plots are held by the electorate of AE parish? ........ 14
4/ How many plots, if any, are vacant? 2 plots vacant; one is very wet as we have an acute drainage problem and is not suitable at present.
5/ If none, how many people (only electorate of AE parish) are there on a waiting list?
Waiting list consists of 12 people, AE 7, Wilmslow 4, Macclesfield 1 only. One person from AE parish has stated she wants Heyes Lane only; this is pending as her family has one plot and we want new people on there not existing tenants really."
Lawrence, I hope these figures help you evaluate the pro's and con's of moving the Heyes Lane allotments. And I hope my earlier remarks help in some way to clarify the history behind this saga. By best wishes - and thank you again for your patience
I shall not rehearse all the arguements, pro and anti,here.
A simple suggestion to the AEFirst party, if I may: why not write to the leader of the Cheshire East Council (Mike Jones) and ask whether 'his' Council would permit the change of use. Also ask whether a 'no' answer is based on the legal position. This would save you a deal of time, on this site.
For what its worth, I asked the question recently, allbeit at a lower level than Mike Jones: I was told 'no'. I was told this in a private conversation and so I shall not name the CEC person concerned.
The Conservative PC have said repeatedly that CEC have told us that they won't allow a change from playing field to car park. If you (AEFirst party) think we misunderstood the CEC answer or phrased the question poorly, then please stop banging on and get some facts/evidence in place.
I don't know whether you looked at the photo I posted with a mock-up of what the car park could be like, and if you did, can I ask you, from your experience in these matters, does the fact that the playing field is still operative and there is a car park adjoining it change the context of the question to CEC and therefore might the response be different?
To me it enhances the usability of the field.
What do you think?
Drainage
Losing playing field
Safety grounds (new houses built opp.)
Narrow road
other suitable sites (Heyes Lane)
and on and on and on !
Can one of the AEPC members update us on this? Who owns the Alderley Road land? Could it be used for car parking or could it be used for replacement playing fields if Chorley Hall Lane were used for car parking?
And you know this because? Can you elaborate?
Firstly, as a principle I believe that society should accommodate minority interests when appropriate and reasonable and that is why I wanted to know the number of allotment holders involved before drawing my own conclusion on whether or not Heyes Lane allotments should be turned into a car park.
However,now that I know that there are only fourteen AE residents holding plots on the site, and the maximum can only be twenty seven, I understand why I had to be persistent and ask you three times for the numbers. Personally I find the protection of the interests of 14 or even 27 people at the expense of benefits to most of the residents of AE inappropriate and unreasonable.
Covenants
In the 21st century much is spoken of the need to fulfill the spirit of agreements rather than the precise meaning. The covenant dates back to 1917, when the World and Alderley Edge were very much different places, and even with AE's wealth the number of cars would have been minimal. The De Traffords restricted use as an open space, recreation ground, playing fields, allotments or public gardens, clearly wishing the space to be used by many residents of AE for their well being. We will never know, but if they were here today, and looked at the interests of 14, or even 27 plot holders compared with the villagers as a whole, then personally I think they would acquiesce and make the necessary changes. I think the concern of the plot holders is more to do with their own interests rather than upholding the wishes of the De Traffords
you'd have to ask CEC directly. You may then be surprised at how open and prompt they can be.
So far CEC keep saying no to having car parking on the CHL Field.
As to a car park and a football pitch sharing; I find that difficult to accept. Who pays for the inevitable damage to the cars? What happens when the cars start to poison the grassed area?
Has anyone in favour of this proposal e.g. AEFirst, actually troubled to ask the allotment holders of the Chorley Hall Lane site what their view of this proposal might be.
you mention the covenant on Heyes Lane.
Are you also going to similarly attack the AEFirst's proposal to turn the Playing Field into a partial or even complete car park?
My own view is that if there is a need for a car park, I'd rather it were to be a loss of replaceable allotments than a loss of a childrens' facility. Do you disagree?
Thank you for your reply.
What a pity then that this Parish Council chose to tell their residents what to do rather than to ask them.I have always found that common courtesy and showing others respect costs nothing but it is something this Council has failed to discover. Judging by the speed at which some of the new candidates resort to vitriolic attacks on others who post here it seems that the lesson is probably lost for ever.
Let the Village decide......................
You say I'm 'attacking' your proposal. I simply asked the question around legality of use of land as it is one you raised against one of the suggested alternatives that offered to your (AEPC's) 'solution'. It strikes me, you are being a little unreasonable to use the legality argument for one, but to ignore the fact that neither piece of land is 'up for grabs' from a legal standpoint.
Of course I do not support the loss of a children's facility. But I am hopeful that (legalities aside for a moment) everyone's needs might be met. I do think that the land that is currently used for the playing fields is larger than might be needed for its current use and that it could possibly be used for parking, and that, with the right Parish Council in place, a solution could be found that allows for football/ recreation AND solves the current parking issue. If allotments, that have been tended over many generations can be relocated, then surely moving a football pitch should be a walk in the park (excuse the pun)? But that is simply my own personal opinion. I represent no one other than myself.
I assume you always knew that Lawrence was going to come back with that response. I admire the way you handled the questions and the honesty you have shown. Some people will never understand that this is not about 14 allotment holders; it is about 18,500 residents signatures, a dictatorial PC and the very essence of Alderley Edge.
Thanks for your reply, but you've lost me, what does it have to do with our exchange?
When you write " What a pity then that this Parish Council chose to tell their residents what to do rather than to ask them." Please what are you referring to?
You write " I have always found that common courtesy and showing others respect costs nothing " Please why did you not treat me in that way when I first posted to you?
You write "Judging by the speed at which some of the new candidates resort to vitriolic attacks on others who post here it seems that the lesson is probably lost for ever"
Please who are you referring to?
I've tried to read all the posts, but at the speed that Lisa is publishing articles and releasing posts it is hard to keep up. Obviously you would not refer to your own party's candidates, so you must be referring to the Conservatives. I've not seen any posts from Xanthe Holt, so you must be accusing both Elly Herald and Martin Hallam of vitriolic attacks. I've not read them.
Lawrence
I liked the pun. A drop of humour makes the political stuff go down more easily.
As to the footy land being 'larger than might be needed...': apart from the footy pitch itself, the land around the pitch is used by children at play, dog walkers (who don't usually allow their dogs onto the actual pitch), walkers, blackberry pickers etc. etc. Would all that have to stop if cars are parked there?
I think that in any case it may be a waste of your and my time to debate this until such time as CEC are approached to see whether there is any chance of a car park (other than the occasional one-day occurance such as the |May Fair). I have enquired (as a good little parish councillor should, when the question is raised by the public) and have been told 'no'. As I've suggested before, if AEFirst (or any concerned member of the public) wants to check on that, then all they need to do is consult CEC. After all, CEC are there to do what the public want; in this case wanting a question answered.
If we're embracing humour, I must admit that your last post did make me chuckle. 'Children at play, dog walkers, walkers, blackberry pickers' ? Seriously? The expression 'clutching at straws' sprang to mind. Is there not a public park (of which you are rightfully proud, judging by your posts on this site) a mere few yards away from the land that we are discussing? Besides which, I don't see why a car park would prevent the blackberry pickers from harvesting their crop, come Autumn. I have often found myself picking blackberries in stranger spots than carpark hedgerows.
As far as changing the legal use of the land, if it is owned by CEC and the AEPC have the will (and the support of the majority of this community), there is a whole world of difference between simply 'asking a question' and exploring options that might involve sometimes complex negotiations. Not everything has to be black and white. Yes or No. Does it?(Although I've noticed that certain Conservatives and their supporters on here struggle to accept that possiblity).
You are so far off beam that you could be in the next county.
You may, or may not, have followed the exchange of posts between myself and Mike Dudley-Jones, but you have definitely interpreted them wrongly, and I far from agree with you on the way he handled my questions.
For eight years my wife and I regularly visited AE and we fell in love with this wonderful vibrant village set in some great Cheshire countryside. Then three years ago we moved here, even though I now have a 54 mile drive to my business in Staffordshire instead of the previous five mile trip.It is where we wish the spend the rest of our lives. We live in St. Hilary's Park right in the heart of the village, so we live and breath it every single day, except when we are on holiday of course.
I have not knowingly spoken to, or met, any of the 18 candidates for the 7th of May elections. I do not agree with party politics at Parish Council level, I am not in favour of monopolies,and welcome truly independent candidates. I stress "truly", because I do not feel that is what will be offered to me on the ballot paper.
As I wrote in an earlier post to Mike, "I have for the past thirty five years run my own very successful and profitable businesses, and asking questions and being thorough is what I do, and I work on facts not emotions", and I am my own man. I will not accept what Frank Keegan, or Duncan, or other Conservatives, nor Mike Dudley-Jones or other AlderleyEdgeFIRST candidates say, without establishing the facts for myself and drawing my own conclusions.
I am not dismissive of the petition with 1,850+ (I know that is the number you meant) signatories, but I do not know if there were another 1,850+ people who did not agree to sign it. I was never asked to sign it and until I read what it said earlier in this thread "We, the undersigned, as residents of Alderley Edge, object to the Parish Council's plans to destroy the Heyes Lane allotments and replace them with a car park", I did not know its wording. For me personally, if the Allotment Society had conducted a balanced Survey not a one-side emotive Petition then I would have been more conducive to take the results into account in drawing my own conclusion.
Last Saturday afternoon, because I had only seen the Hayes Lane Allotments when driving past, my wife and I walked up to see them. Firstly, we were surprised how close to London Road they really are, and secondly how large they are. In the past I have found Heyes Lane a much better road to drive along than many others in the village.
I am a thorough person, and I have taken the time to fact find, and I draw my own conclusions.
Turning to your others posts, do you actually know Chorley Hall Lane, please?
1. I for one ain't tucking into berries that have been regularly exposed to exhaust fumes !
2. I am indeed proud of our park. Arn't you? So you are saying that we can have a car park on a footy field because there is a park next door? We disagree on that.
3. From where did you leap to suggesting that the parking of cars on CHLField might be what the majority of community might support? There doesn't seem to have been a tsunami of support on alderleyedge.com since the possibility was raised (by a AEFirst candidate?).
4. Yes, parking on CHL Field is black and white/yes or no. I'm a 'no'; children before allotments for me.
5. Until you start the ball rolling by asking questions, there are no 'options that might involve sometimes complex negotiations'. Taking the first step is sometimes the hardest?
Yes I do know Chorley Hall Lane; why do you ask?
Only because you went to the trouble of producing the photograph mock-up of the Playing Fields, but you did not make any comments on the viability of access to and from the site. Unless I missed them, of course. Now that I know you know the area, I assume, rightly or wrongly, that you don't think there is a problem.
A belated welcome to Alderley Edge.
You're quite right it is a lovely village and a wonderful place to live. However, it is subject to substantial and aggressive change and that change is often not in the best interests of the village or it's people.
As an example, the site on which you live was, until relatively recently a school with substantial playing fields. On Heyes Lane, opposite the Allotment site, there was a historic Cottage Hospital set in substantial lawned grounds. Next door to the Allotment site there was an old Public House "The Royal Oak" complete with what was regarded as one of the best Crown Green bowling greens in Cheshire, and elswhere around the Village there were little pockets of land that have been "developed."
My concerns are not about the short term solution to a current parking problem but rather the realisation that we cant continue to allow every piece of ground to be developed and then try to deal retrospectively (and badly) with the legacy of poor planning and lack of imagination that have been evident in the past.
I have looked carefully at the profiles of the AlderleyEdge FIRST candidates and (having been around Alderley Edge for more time than I care to remember) I know one or two of them personally. I believe that they are the best chance that the Village has to strike back against the continuing over-development of the area and (importantly) harness some of the spirit that was always evident in the people of the Village until members of the PC started to dictate rather than consult, and insult rather than enthuse.
If you do the digging and delving that obviouslyserved you well in business you wont have to look too far to find evidence of some pretty shoddy behaviour on the part of one or two members of our current PC and whilst some of their colleagues conveniently choose to ignore that, I'm not sure that the voters in Alderley Edge will.
You are correct I think, I did not comment about access. I would suggest that vehicle access could work at the SW corner of the site where the road and field are at the same level. There is already some vehicle access there through the gate. This would also move the access further away from the railway bridge which is slightly humped and may cause reduction in clear forward vision. I would further add that it would be nice to have pedestrian access at the SE corner so there would then be less distance to walk into the town.
It's a nice day for a walk so if you have the time maybe you could pop across and take a look for yourself. I'm not saying it would solve all the parking issues in AE, all I am saying is that it might be a viable location.
you mentioned the Royal Oak; it was sold by its owners. How could that have been prevented?
The bowling green was designated an open space and the PC fought hard for that. When the developer returned and asked the planners to be allowed to put another house on the ex-bowling green, the planners said yes. The PC objected strongl;y but the planners ignored that. Just as they would whoever objected.
You seem to wish to halt development. Because Alderley Edge is a good place to live, many people wish to come here. They need houses. Is it your proposal that somehow a 'stop' is put to people being able to come to Alderley Edge?
Exacly what do you think that AEFirst could do that the PC have not? Will the planners pay more attention to AEFirst than they have to the PC ? Will developers give up once faced with AEFirst?
I was asking you about access, to and from the site, not on and off the site, which is what you have mainly referred to.
I walked down Chorley Hall Lane earlier this afternoon, it is something I do on a regular basis, as well as driving down there.
The area around the Chorley Hall Lane and London Road junction must be the most dangerous in the village. There is traffic in to and out of six roads, and turning in all directions; London Road, Congleton Road,Macclesfield Road, Chapel Road, George Road and of course Chorley Hall Lane. It is a nightmare for drivers and pedestrians alike.
The section of Chorley Hall Lane outside of Foster's must be one of the narrowest in the village. There is a road marking that is not in the centre, with only the Fosters side the width of a car, and the pub side probably would not even take a Smart car without crossing the line. Also, at that point there is the entrance to the De Trafford car park, and cars and delivery vehicles for Fosters on the double yellow lines. I've driven down Congleton Road to turn left there, and came to a halt with the rear of my car still left sticking out exposed to the traffic flow.
Then there is the bridge; no footpath on the one side and the other is a curb and a narrow strip of tarmac, It is hard to call it a path, because it can not take a pushchair, wheelchair, or two people passing side by side without having to step into the road. With the bridge also narrow, two cars on it and pedestrians at the same time it is dangerous, and I'm speaking from experience.
It would not come cheap to narrow the road, install traffic lights and widen the pathways, and possibly unworkable with traffic tailed back to Fosters.
The Ryley's Lane end is fine, but that would be for only some of the traffic.
Make it one way, and then you would have the full volume of traffic in or out of the London Road junction.
So for me Chorley Hall Lane is not a suitable solution on access grounds. Add to that all the reasons that Duncan gave, plus it is not best situated for Festival Hall functions, Chess, Railway Station, AESG, the primary school and further away from the mid-point of London Road (by my estimate) than Heyes Lane.
Today, there are two football pitches set out, which your picture does not accommodate.
You may be correct; I guess time will tell. I am not sure why you ask so many questions and demand answers when it seems you have already made up your mind.
So could I ask you a question please; what is your solution?
You're a strange one.
As a child I was taught to ask questions to learn, and it has continued throughout my life. At 68, I don't think I am going to change now. Anyway, why should I, there is still a great deal to learn about life and our world.
I don't demand answers, I was brought up to politely ask questions. If people are evasive I was taught to not give up easily. Re-read my posts.
It was not until a few days ago, with all the publicity of the parking becoming a central issue to the forthcoming elections, that I decided that I should engage myself in understanding the issues. I have to vote on who represents the best interests of Alderley Edge for next four years, you don't.
I have not had the pre-conceived ideas or personal interests of some people. I am reading what people are saying, and then trying to gain as much knowledge as possible to draw my own conclusions. I look at each element, and make a decision. At this point in time, I believe that Heyes Lane is an appropriate place for a car park, but Chorley Hall Lane is not.
I don't have a, my solution, I am continuing to look at all elements, so that I can have a view when candidates ask me to vote for them, of whether or not they would represent my view.
Since you ask me a direct question I will provide you with a direct answer.
It is my opinion that the current PC (collective) do not fight as valiantly as some residents might like when faced with a choice between maintaining green space and "folding" in the path of developers.
You will (I'm sure) be aware that one of your PC colleagues has been accused of an unhealthy relationship with a local Developer, and so you will understand that local people might seek representatives that are prepared to (shall we say) redouble the fight
"You're a strange one" is not really very polite is it?
I personally think it would be a real shame to pave over the allotments. I believe there must be other alternatives. I was merely trying to suggest a possible alternative.
I don't believe saying "You are a strange one" is impolite, I say it because you think it is OK for yourself to ask many questions on this site as a resident of Stockport, but as a resident of Alderley Edge I should not. Very strange.
I, too, "personally think it would be a real shame to pave over the allotments" if they were being lost altogether, but that is not the case. There is a plan for re-location.
If you want to reply again, please do, and I will leave it to you to have the last word.
If no car park was necessary then that would be great- but one is necessary- which you seem to agree with? I think that children’s interests and a field that is used a minimum of 4 nights per week by children takes precedence over allotments (even loss of part of those children’s recreational area). I have done some canvassing and out of the people I asked all agreed bar one.
So I guess the local residents I HAVE QUESTIONED don’t agree with your possible suggestion.
Thank you though for your continued interest in Alderley and the time you are putting into coming up with suggested alteratives.
Thanks Elly
Re football facilities, am I right in thinking that the fields opposite Ryleys playing field on Wilmslow Road - are proposed for development as a football pitch amongst other things - if so, given the spectacular success of the hockey pitch across the road this might have a fantastic take-up.
If this is the case, it just might change the future use of Chorley Hall Lane football pitch a fraction.
Is there anyone reading this who represents the Alderley Edge football teams who might comment on the club's hopes for the for the future?
Thanks.
I don't think there is enough evidence to say whether a car park is necessary or not. Certainly the CEC's Town Centre Parking Review of AE came to no such conclusion. It seemed to suggest an improvement could be made through better control of the existing provision. I seem to recall that a little while ago your father Duncan Herald set up a parking forum to try to improve the parking situation and find alternatives to building a car park at Heyes Lane, but his efforts were ignored by the rest of the PC, he seemed to be a bit of a lone voice.
I think the solution will come from more of a holistic approach in AE, creating spaces in various locations. I feel that the PC were trying to find a bit of a quick fix solution by tarmacing over the allotments, they appeared very blinkered, and like so many others, I questioned if there were other hidden motives behind it.
The only reason I mocked up the Chorley Hall Lane idea was to show there could be alternatives.
you and I sem to have been having a bit of a mutual appreciation 'do'. Please give me an excuse to 'put the bot in' !
The parking forum that I held (along with councillor Mel. Connor; credit where credit is due), came up with several 'thoughts'. Such as extending the car park in the park. Why was not that followed up? Because when I talked to people about it, the majority were against.
I do not (my personal view) give much creedence to a CEC Parking Review. After all they are the good people who gave you the weird situation in Poynton. One of their 'bright' suggestions for A.E. was to force traffic off the A.E. to Wilmslow road and instaed direct it down Brook Lane (or was it Reillys Lane?); Monty Python is alive and well? Of course, if CEC proposed a car park, they would have to pay for it! Or am I being cynical there?
'Creating spaces in various locations' eh? Sound good. Now please a list of suitable locations, adding up to at least 100 spaces? The PC couldn't do that, but I am ever open to a great new idea.
The Heyes Lane parking suggestion was so not a 'quick fix' solution. The PC banged on about it, yes or no, for ages. Please, please find us a brown-field site, close enough to the village for it to be used, for car parking.
'Hidden motives' eh? That old conspiracy theory. Alas no-one has tried to bribe me or offer me offer me to indulge a hidden motive.
Chorley Hall Lane playing fields: Lawrence (forgive the familiarity when we have not met) sums up the problems very well. Those problems rule out the possibility on their own but Duncan's post about the refusal of CEC to countenance the change must surely finish it off. There comes a time when a decision must be made and I suggest it has to be that CHL does not (because it cannot) become a car park.
The Park: this was proposed to be used by Spangrove Limited in 2004-2006 as a temporary car park whilst a new car park was created at The Parade as part of a redevelopment of The Parade. It seems there was outcry in the Village and the PC (including many of the current members, some of whom are being vilified for not standing up to Developers) stood up to the developer and the Borough to defeat its use for that purpose. This apparently reflected the views of the village. I have looked at the contemporary newspaper reports for much of this. Whether this means it should never be used for more car parking is another question but there are still some issues I imagine with access/highways as well as capacity quite apart from any local opposition. That opposition was apparently listened to by the PC in 2006. I appreciate that was 9 years ago but has there been an instance in the last 9 years when the PC has failed (with its limited powers) to stand up to a developer. Please do not waste too much time telling me about the development that has taken place - cite an instance of when the PC could but did not stand up to a Developer.
There is one post in this string by someone who refers to an unhealthy relationship with a developer. I assume that person has evidence which he or she can provide, openly? If they have not, what credence can they have if they hide behind a lack of detail - presumably because they are concerned about their comments be.ing defamatory. If that is the case, they must have no evidence, in which case their comments are unfounded and the persistent repetition of them is simply malicious.
This leads on to the case for AE 1. They are of course entitled to stand on whatever basis they decide and I respect them for doing so. I sense they have a complaint that the current PC was elected unopposed last time. That is what happens if no other candidates come forward and that is the faults of all of us, and will not be repeated this time. However, their case for election seems to be that they do not like the current PC and make dark comments about their attitude and imposing rigour on the proceedings. Whilst they attempt to cite evidence of attitude, I have not seen evidence of more rigour being required. Clearly there can never be enough rigour but it is a strangely negative campaigning issue to state they will bring rigour to the PC without saying if rigour is lacking.
So we come to the PC itself. An adult debate (notice: not argument) about the needs of AE would be welcome. There is more to AE than a car park. There are elderley residents, young residents, families all of whom need to be accommodated in the mind of the PC. The PC has limited powers but it seems to me they are being used for the benefit of the village even though not everyone will agree with some of its decisions and that is really the point. You elect a PC to make decisions on local issues. Some of us will like their decisions on some occasions and others will not and vice versa.
Can we at least drop the name calling, the innuendo and the wild stories and stick to a debate about what the PC can achieve? This involves AE1 telling us what they feel they can achieve.
Enjoy your evenings.
I have now read your last post several time and am still unsure about the point you are trying to make. I can see that you are trying very hard to argue that any alternative to Hayes Lane is not possible and that the concerns people have raised about a certain member of the PC and his conflict of interest are unfounded. I just don't see why you would waste your time on this. Your interview with Lisa was impressive and you had some great points, you look a strong contender as a future parish councillor.
I can also see that your work as a specialist in Commercial Real Estate transactions at Gunnercooke could be of great value to the AEPC. I also assume that in that capacity your clients are some of the most successful developers in the area. As Gunnercooke is a dispersed firm I also assume that you essentially work from home and that your area could be anywhere but if it was local that would be more desirable.
So, if elected to the PC, how are you going to deal with possible conflicts of interest?
My position on the issue of the car park is clear enough not to require repetition, as is my position on the alternatives.
Your question in relation to conflicts is perfectly reasonable. My answer is as follows:
1. I am a lawyer first and foremost and am bound by the rules of my profession not to bring it into disrepute and not to act where I have a conflict of interest, even if this means turning down an instruction. I will not break this rule because the consequences for me would be catastrophic.
2. I act for clients in respect of projects nationally and internationally. Very few if any of my clients would view Alderley Edge as fertile ground for them simply on the basis that the type development they do would be inappropriate here. They are not house builders or if they are, not at all in this area.
3. If elected to the PC, I will remain bound by my professional conduct rules as well as become bound by the additional rules relating to conflicts as a Parish Councillor. For the reasons outlined in 1. above, I will be scrupulous in making sure I declare all conflicts and behave so as not to break any rules. I do not need a lesson in rigour from any one having lived by this set of rules for over 35 years.
4. I do not act for any company in the Emerson/Jones group of companies or Bluemantle and nor have I accepted any hospitality from them. I drink very little and am not keen on business lunches or cocktail parties, in fact I cannot remember the last one I attended.
I am aware you have a particular interest in conflicts of interest so I hope this answers your question. For your information, if I did for some reason accept hospitality from someone whether or not they had dealings with the PC, it would be declared in the same way it has been by the members of the current PC. Any such offer of hospitality would be considered in the light of the facts prevailing at the time and accepted or rejected depending on a) whether it would conflict with or compromise my duties as a member of the PC and b) whether it was lawful for me to accept it. Any doubt would lead to a rejection. I think you should also be aware that most commercial companies do NOT think that a lunch or a drink means that they own you and these days are acutely aware of the rules which relate the offer of such things because there is potential criminal liability on them.
My personal mindset over being elected to any public or charitable office is that it should not be used for any form of personal gain as to do so would betray those who elect you. Therefore it will not be.
Thank you very much for that honest, clear and considered response. I can see that you are a man who takes the responsibilities of any position you hold very seriously and it is good to hear.
You are correct in what you say that I have had great interest in conflicts of interest, as I suspect have a lot of other people looking at the workings of the present PC.
I was wondering, in light of your answer, that if you were elected to the PC, would you also see that part of your responsibilities would be ensuring other people on the council dealt with their own conflicts of interest in line with the Code of Conduct? In other words do you feel that council members have a collective responsibility to uphold the conduct of the entire PC?
No, because I will not be aware of all of their associations.
I think it would be well worth you reading what Myles Garbett has to say on the subject of parking. I think he has hit the nail on the head and I am sure you will agree with his viewpoint. http://bit.ly/1zdof2t
I know this is hypothetical.
It does cross my mind, that if another petition was held, indentical in every respect except for replacing "Allotments" with "Chorley Hall Playing Fields" and presented to everyone that it was presented to before, how many signatures would it receive. I don't expect too many young people were asked regards allotments, but they would be appropriate in this case.
If it received an identical 1850+ number of signatures, how would the AlderleyEdgeFIRST candidates view it please?
I am pretty sure that the AE 1st candidates have all said they want to look at every possible solution and that losing green space is the last thing they want to do. Well that is how I read it.
I think the coments about CHL fields were only to suggest that there are other possible ways of doing things. I think sorting out some of the on street parking is the best place to start. I wonder if the current council have been purposely reducing parking on the street in order to try to force their agenda.
Two other points. Several of the conservative candidates/ supporters have discounted the prospect of CEC releasing the CHL playing fields for any other use. I would suggest that, far from being impossible, if the right dialogue is started, between the right people, at the right time, with all the facts available for consideration, then surely anything is possible? Isn't it about how the question is asked? There is a world of difference between, for example, "I don't suppose that you will let us use CHL land for anything other than playing fields, is there?", and "We have a problem and we'd like to work with you to find a solution. Can you help?"
The relationship between CEC and AEPC is, of course, key to success. It is my understanding (confirmed having read some of AEPC's minutes of meetings in recent years) that this relationship is currently far from constructive and positive. I'm confident that will change when Craig Browne is elected to replace Frank Keegan.
Finally, to use the legality argument to dismiss the idea of CHL playing fields being a solution is slightly disingenuous, I would suggest. Surely, if the idea of using the covenanted land on Heyes Lane was raised two years ago, the same argument would apply. But the current PC appear to have found a way around that (or so they think).
Like I said before, anything is possible....
I will only reply relevant to my post.
The two, very experienced businessmen, AlderleyEdgeFIRST candidates know the importance for comparison on a like-for-like basis.
I look forward to hearing their views.
The opening statement to each of the other candidates' profiles on this website has read "In the run up to the General, Borough and Parish Council elections on May 7th we have been publishing brief interviews with each of the candidates that respond to our request (before the end of the month), in the order in which they respond."
It is now beyond the end of the month. So are we to assume that Mr Keegan (who in many people's minds has the most to answer for) has opted not to submit a profile?
I cannot believe he doesn't have an opinion he wishes to bestow upon his humble electorate, especially as he is running for two posts on the 7th May. Come on, Frank. Let's hear it!
Keep up the good work Frank (from a UKIP supporter)
The fact most people are waiting to see his comments and read his interview profile proves he is indeed a major force in this village.
He reminds me of Margaret Thatcher when she was in power.
Personally I would have hated to have worked closely with her as she would have annoyed me intensely, but, she believed in her way of doing things, and, as you all know, she got things done ........... just like Frank.
Many people have commented on here about Frank Keegan's bullying tactics, but he gets things done, and that's what I admire in him, instead of sitting on the fence taking polls, more polls, straw polls, etc. HE GETS THINGS DONE !
He's already put in thousands of hours of his time improving this village, so good luck Frank !
(Ps; for all you AE1 followers, David Hadfield is not his spokesman)
We can only speculate as to how the people of Alderley Edge might view that particular strategy - remember that Frank is fighting for a seat on CEC as well as AEPC and so carries increased responsibility and accountability.
Anyway, it seems it wont happen because Lisa clearly identified a time bar (before the end of the month) which has now passed.
How quaintly out of touch!
Most people are waiting to see his comments because they want to see how he will wriggle away from the 'elephant in the room' that drifts, unspoken, above his head.
If we are to draw parallels between Mr Keegan and other politicians, would it not be fairer to compare him with Neil Hamilton. I think the people of AE can be very proud of their record of kicking sleaze out of politics.
I'm grateful for the disclaimer at the foot of your above message - avoids confusion.
I'm also grateful for the amusement that you bring to this forum.....Frank Keegan "HE GETS THINGS DONE !"
He clearly didnt get his interview done!
And if you really want reminding of Margaret Thatcher, look no further than AlderleyEdgeFirst who have a very talented young lady from a Grantham Grocers Shop standing for them - that has to be a good omen!
arrogance of this man. He believes HE does not need to lower himself to the level of the other candidates. For him clearly, this whole election thing is a 'done deal'?
This Village needs a group of 'leaders'. People who are worth respecting because they go out of their way to make things better. I am proud of my colleagues in AEFIRST.
We look good, we sound good and we will make things better.
When Mr Keegan informed all his co-candidates from the Conservatives that he could not be bothered to post a profile I wonder how they all reacted. We know at AEFIRST how we would react - but perhaps when I think about it it might be better if they hide an arrogant loose cannon away from the electorate.
After telling us the Conservative Parish Council's conduct at meetings is (quote) "deplorable and showing an appalling lack of respect and manners" etc ........ you're now doing exactly the same to people who are candidates for election, after reading your above comments.
Talk about sticking the knife in ............ I'm sure they're not perfect, but who is ?
This Conservative Parish Council as a group have done a wonderful job and have delivered many things to this village and spent many hours of their own personal time in the process.
I know my vote is going to candidates who DELIVER and not ones who procrastinate, requiring reviews, more reviews, etc.
If AE1 got in, maybe absolutely nothing would get done, due to your continued meetings ?
I see you making lots of comments on the Alderley Edge parish elections and your support for the Frank & the conservatives in this area, but I have just looked at the electoral register, I see that you live in Wilmslow?!!
Do I live in Wilmslow .... that's for me to know and you to find out ....... I wish you luck.
When I started my quest on Saturday 19th April to find out as much as possible about the twelve new candidates, I also made it a priority to research Frank Keegan, in view of the emphasis of attacks against him. Like many others, I have found in the past some of his posts on this site to be rude. Also, I found other residents to be equally rude, and I disliked all of them. I've never attended a Parish Council meeting, but I will in the future, so I can not comment regards them. This is not a case, for me putting forward support for him.
However, I found Frank Keegan the most open book to research, I easily found out more about him than anyone else.
I was able to find out his career details going back to 1969 when he was Assistant Chief Accountant at the Scottish Daily Record and Sunday Mail. He was there till August 1971. I'm not going to list the whole of his career, but then from August 1981 to September 1985 he worked in Malawi for the United Nations - Industrial Labour Organisation (UN ILO). Their web-site states under the heading, Employment opportunities, "The paramount consideration in the filling of any vacancy shall be the necessity to obtain staff of the highest standards of competence, efficiency and integrity"
In his own Management Consultancy from September 1985 to September 2004, he quoted an impressive list of clients including Royal Ordnance, Lloyds of London Finance and Kelloggs.
As a Councillor:
Alderley Edge Parish Council from 1987 to present - 28 years
Alderley Edge Ward Councillor at Macclesfield Borough Council 1999-2009 - 10 years
Alderley Edge Ward Councillor at Cheshire East Council 2009 to present - 6 years
There was also plenty to read about the official complaints made against him, and the subsequent rulings. Also, of course there is plenty about him on this site.
That is very interesting. It is almost like you could write his interview that he has failed to do. Did you also find out that he was once the leader of Macclesfield council, then at Cheshire East he was in charge of finance, then he was sacked due to his behaviour with his colleagues? You can't have failed to come across the various complaints that have been made against him and the report from the Standards for England relating to his association with an AE property developer. As a political career goes, it seems to be heading South.
I congratulate you on you research, well done. I think that most of the rest of us know everything we need to know about Frank Keegan. We don't need yesterday's man meddling for 28 years in Alderley; we need tomorrow's people.
Craig Browne
Melanie Connor, Conservative Party
Mike Dudley-Jones
Myles Garbett
Rachael Grantham
Geoff Hall
Martin Hallam, Conservative Party
Duncan Herald, Conservative Party
Eleanor Herald, Conservative Party
Ilana Higham
Xanthe Holt, Conservative Party
Sue Joseph, Conservative Party
Frank Keegan, Conservative Party
Christine Munro
Ruth Norbury
Nigel Schofield, Conservative Party
Michael Taylorson
Mike Williamson, Conservative Party
I think by now I can say with a degree of confidence that everyone who reads this site on a regular basis is clear that you are a proud UKIP supporter. Not only that, but that you have already voted (by post). I'm impressed that no one has passed comment on that fact alone. Your allegiances are your own business. If you choose to announce them to the world at large, again, that is your own business.
You express an interest in how our Independent candidates will vote (I presume you mean in the General Election). I would suggest that not only is that information irrelevant, but the question is impertinent. They have made their position, in terms of the local Parish Council election, crystal clear. They are standing as independent and they are committed to putting 'Alderley Edge First', as their name suggests. How they choose to vote in the General Election is a completely separate and private matter. It is none of your business and it is none of ours. I was raised in a home where the privacy of a personal vote was respected. As they are not standing for a national party, (that fact is clear), you should also respect their privacy.
The information is not as you say irrelevant and when you decide to stand as a Councillor it is important the the public is fully informed about the candidate.
As A E First keep saying "we will be more open" !
What you do not seem to understand that AE1 is not looking to be a political party. What is required is individuals who can work together and enbrase the requirements of Alderley Edge. Why would you object to this ?
You forgot you add that you are a Ukip voter. That would make you a lot more credible.
You are my favourite alderleyedge.com "crackpot" and like you, I will probably put my general election x aginst the UKIP candidate as an alternative to "No suitable Candidate"
But in the vitally important business of what is best for our little Parish, we have the good fortune to be able to dis-associate ourselves from Party Politics
It really doesn't matter about "Balance of Payment Deficits" and "Immigration Policy" and "Yes / No to Europe"
This is about ALDERLEY EDGE's green fields and parks, and allotments. It's about The Edge and the vibe in the Village, it's about the history of the place and all of the decent , caring people tat have lived here, and their legacy.
That's what makes the place feel special, as opposed to being just another murky and non descript conglomeration on the edge of another satellite town which is itself on the edge of another satellite City.
This is the moment to stand up for yourself, say "Enough is Enough. We DEMAND our individuality. We DEMAND our voice, and we WONT sit back whilst the lazy, unchallenged, unthinking AEPC acquiesce to some plan dictated by Developers to change the structure and values of OUR Village.
but Lisa, whilst still adding comments every second of every day, is carrying on regardless with her bigger picture, namely "alderleyedge.com" website by putting articles on here that have nothing to do with the elections. That's dedication Lisa, well done !
Only this morning I saw an article for the Alderley and Wilmslow Theatre Company.
Well done Lisa, the show must go on, as they say.