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).
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.
Nigel Schofield is a Conservative candidate for Alderley Edge Parish Council, who has served on the Parish Council for 20 years.
Speaking about his work, Nigel said "My early career included marketing and corporate planning roles with the Rank Organisation and British Leyland, Commercial Planning Manager at Thorn EMI plc, Marketing Director of Manchester Airport plc, and Vice President - Marketing of British Aerospace Commercial Aircraft.
"In 1992 my wife Jeni and I set up our own travel management company, which subsequently expanded to become the second largest such company based in the North of England, including two business travel management companies, a retail travel agency, a long-haul specialist tour operator and three specialist sports tour operators. These activities were acquired by Cresta World Travel in 2011 where I now hold the position of Group Commercial Director."
Nigel added "I am committed to supporting economic development in the region, and currently hold a number of board positions - (all unpaid!) including the Cheshire and Warrington LEP and Macclesfield Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise.
"As Chairman of Macclesfield Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise Highways and Transport sub-committee and a member of AEPC, I led the fight for the Alderley Edge By-pass, as highlighted by George Osborne at the Opening Ceremony.
"As the lead Board member on Business Support at the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, I focus upon economic development opportunities for the business community in order to improve the standard of living and quality of life for the local community.
"I have the same objectives in my role on Alderley Edge Parish Council. If we are to retain the shopping facilities in the village, those businesses must thrive and hence the need for improved parking in the village to both facilitate parking in controlled areas and remove the problem of parking in residential streets.
"In pursuit of enhanced prosperity for the business community and hence residents, I am currently Chairman of Macclesfield Chamber, Vice Chairman of South East Cheshire Chamber, President of Warrington Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Vice Chairman of Cheshire Business Leaders. I am also on the Advisory Board of Runways UK, working with the Airports Commission to improve air services to the UK regions."
I asked Nigel why he decided to stand for re-election as a parish councillor. He told me "I have lived in Alderley Edge for 28 years. I love this village. For some 20 years as a Parish Councillor I have seen how a common approach of Parish, Borough and County Councils has created the most prosperous and successful village centre in the county.
"That success has brought some problems, and these must continue to be dealt with sensibly by reasoned debate and attention to the needs of the entire village community, not just a vociferous few with vested interests. I want to be part of the team which achieves this through a sensible, well thought-through plan."
Speaking about the important issues facing Alderley Edge, Nigel said "We have retained a vibrant shopping centre, complemented by evening leisure activities. Through astute planning we retained a village library, a post office, and now with the imminent closure of the doctor's surgery, we are providing for a new medical centre with pharmacy and adequate parking. The Festival Hall is a much envied village asset and will be retained as part of a co-ordinated plan which includes much improved parking, removal of parking from residential streets, retention of open space, more sports facilities and a major increase in the space allocated for allotments.
"The bypass, fought for and won by the Conservative Parish Council has much reduced the congestion, pollution and road safety problems in the village, but parking is still an issue for which plans are in progress to provide a solution.
"We have a proud village heritage to retain - including St George's Day and Remembrance Day parades!"
If re-elected Nigel says he will pursue and progress the matters referred to above, by working in harmony with others, the village community at large, the businesses in the village and the County Council.
He said "Taking a lesson from the business world, you do not succeed by adopting an argumentative approach, but by finding common ground. The victory for the Parish Council over the bypass is a case in point. Constructive dialogue with the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, and the EU Transport Commissioner, Neil Kinnock provided the turning point. Today, an excellent relationship with a superb local MP in George Osborne similarly provides an excellent basis on which we can succeed as a Conservative Parish Council."
Asked why Alderley Edge residents should vote for him, Nigel replied "Votes are usually won on the basis of the record on past achievements, the current activities, and the clarity of future intentions. I will be very happy to be judged on those three counts."
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
I've experienced serving with Nigel with pleasure.
No wonder the Parish Council has been the great success it has, with peopole like Nigel on board.
I admire Nigel, or anyone else, who achieves so much in their career, in business, and at the same time in voluntary public service. In particular, it looks like he has made a huge contribution over some twenty years, as a Parish Councillor, to the well being of our village.
From what I have read, I can't believe that Nigel would have allowed the Parish Council to be a one man, Frank Keegan, dictat.
I look forward to receiving the posts of the remaining five candidates.
Just one other observation. I think Nigel makes an excellent point about learning from the business world. 'Taking a lesson from the business world, you do not succeed by adopting an argumentative approach, but by finding common ground.' I think the examples he provides show real ability to 'manage upwards' in order to influence those in power to reach the decisions one wants. But I would have really valued an example of influencing those 'below' (i.e. the electorate) who may have expressed concerns or reservations about decisions that were being made. Would Nigel like to comment on either of my points, please?
Just one more candidate from the current PC that has given a considerable amount of time and their lives to making Alderley the thriving and vibrant village that it is, and in all this time why was there never a significant challenge to the PC?
It seems to me that the only reason for this is that everybody was happy, and that the only reason for this uprising is the issue with the allotments and I find it somewhat amusing that there is any debate about this at all, it would be an asset not just to the medical centre, who I think once it is up and running with a pharmacy will make use of it, as will the Festival Hall for functions, but so will the residents of Stamford Road, Talbot Road and Moss Lane appreciate it, because if it doesn't happen I would not want to live on those roads due to the increase in traffic and demand for parking.
As I said in a previous post, it is a big risk to the village for people to use their vote as a protest and risk losing, what I think will be a great and much used asset, and not forgetting that the allotments are not being lost, they are just being re-located.
Good Luck! Nigel
I don't know you; we have never met but thank you for introducing yourself so eloquently here.
Fascinating to read about such a great career. I wish you well.
As one of the founders behind AlderleyEdgeFIRST let me assure you that this campaign is not about 'an uprising' as you call it. Nor is it 'an issue with the allotments'.
It is about democracy and representing the people in our Village well; being totally transparent, treating everyone with a very great deal more respect than has been the norm in the past and tackling the issues that face us all in perhaps a better, more innovative way. There is nothing wrong in that. We have come together to offer our people, young and older, a choice, because we have huge and unique talents and are more than capable of doing that.
It would appear that many hundreds are very happy that we have done so, and if those many hundreds ask us to represent them after 7th May we shall rise to that challenge, of that you may be absolutely certain.
Nigel, I am sorry that this interaction should appear on your profile post but it seems that this is the way of things! I still wish you well!!
you write that 'hundreds are very happy' with AEFirst. Did I miss the march and demo?
You say, it is not an uprising or anything to do with the allotments, I find that hard to believe, given that there has been no previous campaign to oust the current P.C. But I'll take your word for it!
You don't mention wether you think that building a car park next to the Festival Hall would be beneficial to the hall and the medical centre.
If the car park is not built on the allotments, do you not agree that there would be an increase in traffic and parking problems to the residents of Talbot road, Stamford road and Moss lane, an area that is already saturated with all day parking and even more so when there is a funeral at the church on Stamford road.
The current P.C. we're voted in by the people of Alderley to act on their behalf, and that is exactly what they have done, are they expected to hold a referendum ever time they make a decision. They have come to the conclusion that the best answer to the parking problem is to re-locate the allotments and build the car park where it will be ideally situated to serve more than just the all day parking. It seems to me that A.E. First are questioning the integrity of people such as Nigel, Duncan, Mike just to name a few.