A by-election will be held on Thursday, September 30th to elect a Borough Councillor for the Alderley ward. This position is currently vacant following the sad death of Councillor Liz Gilliland.
The Conservative councillor, who lived in Henbury, Macclesfield, passed away in July. She was vice-chairman of Cheshire East Council's environment and prosperity scrutiny committee, as well as a member of the authority's sustainable communities' scrutiny committee and licensing and northern planning committees.
Nominations for the elections closed at noon on Friday 3rd September and there are only two candidates competing for the role of Borough Councillor to work alongside existing councillors Frank Keegan and Carolyn Andrew.
The Conservative Party candidate is Matthew Lloyd (pictured right), the Vice Chairman of Alderley Edge Parish Council who lives on Talbot Road. He will be challenged by the Liberal Democrat candidate Oliver Romain from Hawthorn Grove in Wilmslow.
Matthew Lloyd is the Managing Director of a software company, with an MBA from Warwick Business School and an international career in the IT industry. Matthew was born and raised in Cheshire, and is now settled and raising his own family in Alderley Edge, where he has lived for over 10 years. Matthew is married to Nicola and has one son Hugo, age 6.
He said "I know what a special place Alderley and its surrounding area is. From the quiet residential roads of Fulshaw, through the bustling centre of Alderley Edge, to the tranquil rural villages and parishes to its south, we have a history and tradition to be proud of."
"However, the area is not without its problems. The bypass will (at last!) help reduce the traffic jams for which Alderley Edge had gained such unwelcome notoriety. But the opening of the bypass alone will not address these issues overnight. A comprehensive package of measures is needed to drive traffic away from London Road, and I will work hard with the Parish Council and Cheshire East to ensure these are implemented as a matter of urgency."
Oliver Romain (pictured left) describes himself as "just the sort of councillor Cheshire East people need." Oliver is the owner of an established, independent publishing company, based in Macclesfield, and acts as a community volunteer. He founded and runs the area's popular internet based recycling community Wilmslow Freecycle.
Oliver was born in 1970 and spent most of his formative years living in the market town of Stone, in Staffordshire and latterly enjoying village life in Cambridgeshire, where his first job was as a farm worker, driving tractors at the tender age of 14.
Oliver's connections with Alderley Edge began in the late eighties when he worked at the Alderley Edge hotel as an assistant chef. He was inspired by the success of the wealthy clientele to enter the world of business.
Oliver has been an active member of the local Liberal Democrats since 2004. He lives in Wilmslow with his wife, Janet, and one year old son Arthur. His hobbies include, cooking, DIY, fruit and vegetable growing and he is a budding preserve and jam maker.
Polling cards are now being delivered to local residents who can vote at the polling station between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 30th September or apply by Wednesday 15th September to vote by post.
The Alderley ward, which also covers the Fulshaw area of Wilmslow and stretches as far south as Eaton. Click here to view a map of the Alderley Ward.
Comments
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One of the key issues we need to raise is the £13.5 million budget deficit. The Lib Dems warned the ruling Tories about it but were snubbed.
We all want Cheshire East Council to live within its means, that's why I am calling on all the residents to give me their ideas on how the council can save money.
To find out more and get involved visit my campaign Facebook page Liberal Democrats for Alderley and Wilmslow - http://bit.ly/9LPJKP