Borough & Parish Council Elections: Candidate Craig Browne

craigbrowne

In the run up to the General, Borough and Parish Council elections on May 7th we will be 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.

To read the interviews with other candidates click on the tags at the bottom of the article. For example, pieces on the other candidates for the Alderley Edge Parish Council election will all be tagged 'Alderley Edge Parish Council Election'. Candidates representing the same party or group will also be connected via the tags.

Craig Browne is an AlderleyEdgeFIRST candidate for both Alderley Edge Parish Council and Cheshire East Council, standing against your current councillor Frank Keegan.

Craig has lived in Alderley Edge since 1996, but have been connected with the village all of his life as his family first moved here in the 1920s.

Craig is 40 years old and for the last ten years he has been running his own consultancy business, helping charities to devise and implement fundraising strategies. Craig also helps to assess and evaluate international co-operation projects on behalf of the British Council, as well as the European Commission.

I asked Craig why he had decided to stand as a candidate for both the Cheshire East and Parish Council elections. He told me "I have one very simple objective: to serve my community. I love Alderley Edge and I want it to become the very best place that it can be; however, in order for this to happen, I believe there needs to be a change in the way we undertake politics at local level.

"I believe that the current arrangement does not serve Alderley Edge well, with party ideology being put before residents' wishes and aspirations. I have therefore decided to seek election as an Independent candidate."

Speaking about the important issues facing Alderley Edge, Craig said "Parking is clearly an important issue at the moment. A new car park will provide a short-term solution; however, in the long-term this isn't sustainable, as we cannot keep laying more tarmac every few years. Also important is the Festival Hall, which should be a key community amenity over the next few years, but which risks becoming a white elephant, in the absence of a published business plan.

"Finally, there is the Local Plan, which will require strong, independent representation on Cheshire East Council to ensure that green belt land around Alderley Edge remains protected from development."

He added "If elected, I will work with my fellow Independent Councillors to ensure that a thorough and fully costed review of parking needs and solutions is carried out and that the most cost-effective option is then implemented. I would like the Festival Hall to be run as a Community Enterprise, with a Board of Trustees that includes talented people from across the village (not just Parish Councillors). Surplus revenue generated by the Festival Hall would then be re-invested in community projects, such as the Friends of Alderley Edge Park, or re-establishing the Village Enhancement Committee."

When asked why Alderley Edge residents should vote for him, Craig replied "I am seeking election as an Independent candidate, which means that I have no party-political affiliation and that my loyalty will be exclusively to the people of Alderley Edge, whom I wish to serve.

"For many years now, we have had Conservative Party control of both tiers of local government, yet it feels as though there has been a breakdown in communications between our Parish Council and Cheshire East Council. As an Independent Borough Councillor, with no political axe to grind, I believe I would be the person best placed to begin rebuilding positive relations between Parish and Borough.

"I will strive to be an open, friendly and approachable Councillor, listening to and respecting the views of my fellow Parishioners and helping to put AlderleyEdgeFirst."

Tags:
Alderley Edge Parish Council Election, AlderleyEdgeFIRST, Borough Elections, Craig Browne, Elections 2015
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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Claire MacLeod
Thursday 23rd April 2015 at 6:59 pm
I think someone with extensive expertise in fundraising may be very useful for this Parish. Another independent candidate who is explicit in his intention to put the community of this village first, and be 'open, friendly and approachable. Excellent. Very best of luck, Craig!
Ruth Norbury
Thursday 23rd April 2015 at 9:00 pm
Forgive me for speaking for one of our fellow AlderleyEdgeFIRST candidates. If you use one vote for us, please use this one. Craig Browne as Independent is standing directly against Frank Keegan, Conservative.

Then, if you don't mind, you have nine votes for the Parish Council seats - there are nine AlderleyEdgeFIRST candidates (including Craig Browne) and nine Conservative Party candidates for the nine PC seats. It's in your hands. Thank you!
Duncan Herald
Thursday 23rd April 2015 at 9:11 pm
Ruth,

does my memory decieve me or did some of the AEFirst people, a while back, criticise the Conservative PC for having a councillor who represented both the PC and the CEC ?
Sauce for goose is not sauce for gander?
Pete Taylor
Friday 24th April 2015 at 1:27 pm
An excellent statement of intent Craig- best of luck.
Pete Taylor
Friday 24th April 2015 at 1:32 pm
@ Duncan Herald, as you said elsewhere ...can we please not turn (her) interview into a political ping pong site? There are plenty of other sites for that.

Sauce for goose is not sauce for gander?
Duncan Herald
Friday 24th April 2015 at 4:10 pm
Hi Pete,
I can say that the first entry above is political and so I just joined in. Actually that is a bit 'weak' of me.
However would you care to comment on AEFirst putting up one candidate for two jobs, after their criticising the PC for doing that?
Saucily speaking?
David Carey
Saturday 25th April 2015 at 5:21 pm
Craig you have said all the important things that matter you get my vote