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).
To read the interviews with other candidates click on the tags at the bottom of the article. For example, forthcoming pieces on the other candidates for the Alderley Edge Parish Council election will all be tagged 'Alderley Edge Parish Council'. Candidates representing the same party or group will also be connected via the tags.
Elly Herald, 27, is a Conservative candidate for Alderley Edge Parish Council.
Elly is a solicitor and she currently lives at home with her parents who have lived in the village since she was born. Speaking about her hobbies, Elly said "I spend a far bit of my time looking after my elderly Grandmother, but also enjoy gardening and socialising."
When I asked why she wanted to be a parish councillor, Elly told me "I decided to stand as a candidate following some of the negative comments from people about the current Parish Council. I think I have a better understanding than some as to how much time a councillor spends on a voluntary basis (given Duncan's involvement) - I have this time." (Elly's father is parish councillor Duncan Herald)
She added "I really do not have one particular issue which I am especially passionate about and therefore consider myself as a well-rounded candidate as I am equally interested in all aspects of the village.
"I know that a lot of people comment on your forum about parking - and I agree there are issues which need to be addressed in this regard - however the village is a thriving place (hence the parking issues - which is a great thing if we were to look at the bigger picture - it shows that lots of people are visiting and working here which brings trade to the local business, the parks and open spaces (Edge) are being used, the schools are doing well, etc!) and I think rather than everyone being so negative about things I would endevour to speak to local businesses and try and find a system for work-user parking and speak to schools to see whether the morning drop-off traffic could be addressed (perhaps Ryleys would look to provide a school bus from the field by the Merlin and then parents would not need to pull up and block residential streets - only an idea and I have not discussed with my fellow conservative candidates!). I agree that a car park is needed and stand by all of the Conservative candidates leaflet which I trust you have been sent a copy of."
Elly continued "I really do think that the Parish Council could do with someone my age on who has a different perspective over the village and the future. I would like to see the village with no empty shops, clean and tidying outside spaces, I think the flowers/tubs are a great idea in principle and most importantly that anyone who has a local issue can approach a Councillor (i.e. me) to try and secure a resolution or at least some assistance in doing so."
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Each month over 20,000 unique browsers visit alderleyedge.com, the population of Alderley Edge Ward according to the 2011 census is 4638.
I am one of the 15,362 who do not live in AE. I find alderlyedge.com fascinating for many reasons. I wonder if it might be a helpful tool to allow likes and dislikes on comments on the site. It seems like a good way for people to be able to judge popular opinion.
It might be quite revealing.
I could not stand as an Independent as I am not apolitical. It would be incorrect to stand as an Independent candidate as I intend to vote on May 7th. I will be voting Conservative on May. 7th. I also agree with the current Conservative PC's plans. Not because they are Conservative per se; but because I think their plans (including the new medical centre, continuing with the park work, repairing the war memorial, putting a car park on the HL allotments and moving the current allotment holders to their new site (which are bigger) and providing those allotments holders with compensation) are well researched, considered and will improve the village.
Again thank you for your comment on Duncan’s contributions also-I personally think his efforts with the park and war memorial garden are a great achievement for the village.
Thank you for your comment Pete, Elly
Parish council level of local government has no relevance for party politics no matter who you vote for in a general election.
We haven't had a PC election in how many years ? So now the conservatives have had to replace candidates to fill the 9 seats and then there is opposition from Alderley First.
It's all good and a bit of competition never hurt anyone. That's a conservative value/principle isn't it ?
I'm sorry I disagree. It does not sit comfortably with me when a member of a 'non-political group', as stated in your leaflet, say they are not apolitical. I am not saying you’re wrong- I just personally would not call myself 'independent' if I had a political stance. I think that local residents would presume if I were to stand as an independent candidate that I was apolitical- and I really do not think that is fair on them.
I am standing as a Conservative candidate because I consider myself a Conservative and agree with the hard work put in to date by the current councillors on a wholly voluntary basis.
Thanks Fenton, Elly
What it does mean is that I would expect them to adhere to the position they promoted for themselves prior to be elected. And, in the instance of these Parish Council elections, I would expect those 'Independent' candidates to do exactly what they say they are going to do - put PEOPLE BEFORE POLITICS. It is what (I believe) this village is crying out for. The results of the election on May 7th will confirm whether or not either of us is right,
I was answering Pete Taylor's question as to why I hadn't considered standing as an independent candidate. When somebody is asking why I didn't stand as an independent I had to answer. I do not know whether it is my career head - but I could not claim to be part of a 'non-political' group (as are all the AE 1 candidates) when I am not non-political. I'm sorry but I personally feel if I did that I would be making a fraudulent comment and that is not something I am willing to do. I am not saying anything bad about Fenton’s comment above - that’s his view, but I could not risk saying something like that in my capacity as a Solicitor.
Thanks for your comment Clare.
I am not sure about the group- they have said they are non-political on their brochures. But above Fenton has confirmed above that he's not apolitical so my understanding is that he affiliates himself with a political party/stance. Another AE1 candidate has 'implied' support to Alderley Conservatives on social media by 'liking' our page. I maintain that I would not feel comfortable to be part of a non-political group if I am not myself non-political. Pete Taylor asked me why I was not standing as an Independent- that is why. I hope you can accept my personal feeling on that and hence my reasoning behind standing as a conservative candidate.
Regarding your comment to me below Ruth’s article- I hope you are happy for me to answer it here. I consider myself capable to stand as a PC candidate. Whilst campaigning everyone has been extremely receptive towards me (and my fellow conservative candidates) and offered their support on May 7th (other than Craig who’s door I knocked on the other night who is obviously an AE 1 candidate and one other gentleman who did not agree that ANY car park was a solution to the parking problems and wanted the schools to offer parking on site for parents/carers to drop children off at on premises). So yes I am cut out to be a parish councillor. I would also point out that AE1 supporters and I believe the candidates themselves think politics at PC level are not necessary; so I don’t understand the relevance of your comment “Are you sure that you are cut-out for the cut and thrust of local politics?” I am pretty sure you are a supporter of AE1 and thus politics are immaterial from AE1’s point of view. Or have I misunderstood?
Many thanks
Elly
Thanks for your response.
I think the misunderstanding is that AlderleyEdgeFIRST have said that there is no place for PARTY politics in Parish business - they suggest (and I agree) that a local Councillor should only be answerable to the people of the Parish and not be tied by any allegiance to a particular political party line. In this sense AlderleyEdgeFIRST candidates are indeed apolitical - they are not bound by anything other than a stated aim to serve the people of Alderley Edge and they receive no finance or sponsorship from any organisation and are therefore free to act on their own ideas.
As far as I know Fenton is not standing as a candidate for AlderleyEdgeFIRST.
You didnt respond to my other question asking why you thought that "adult men" had been "nasty" and "rude" toward Sophie Hallam. I am genuinely interested as I have re-read the threads and dont see any evidence of this - am I being thick skinned or thick headed or both? I hope not.
There is no misunderstanding on my behalf. I did not raise any issue myself- I was asked why I was not standing as an independent candidate and explained why I would not. Sorry for the use of ‘another’ after my comment re Fenton-I was trying to explain that I did not agree with the concept of someone (i.e. anyone) who is not apolitical standing as an independent. Anyhow- no further debate needed on the point .I believe I could not stand as part of an apolitical group –and when asked I had to provide my reasoning behind why I am standing as a conservative candidate. I also do not agree with AE1’s suggestion that a car is not needed on the HL site. I am genuinely worried that there is a suggestion that CH PF’s would be a more viable option- not just because I think preserving a space used by children is more important, but also because of the location (I won’t repeat what others have said already ) and the fact that the council have said they will not allow it. I therefore would not be able to stand as part of the current independent group (although I am not so big headed to presume I would have been invited to join!).
Sorry I did not answer your other question- I remembered on my way back into the office!! It was John and Martin’s comments I was referring to. I also felt Pete Taylor’s comment was a dig at me- but perhaps not? He hasn’t answered. I am standing as a candidate because I want to. I have seen all the negative comments on here about the current PC and what people fail to remember is what great things the current PC has done to date: implanting plans for the medical centre, PCSO, taking steps for a memorial garden to be put in place (to include a special area for children who have died), Duncan has done so much to improve the park (he really has worked his **** off to make that park 100% better and spoken to people in the park when he walks the dog every day to see what they want from the area; the suggestion that the current PC does not consult local people is absurd to me-I can only speak for Duncan, but he never shuts up about it and is constantly ask people in the village what they would like and what things he can do as a councillor), putting benches in the village, taking steps for new planters to go in the village to make it more aesthetically pleasing, ensuring more double yellow lines have been put on residential roads to help with parking (local residents were consulted about this), engaging with Waitrose so they would paint the benches in the village and Duncan has recently been liaising with Chess (business in the village by the train station) to engage with their local volunteering scheme so even more voluntary things get done in the village- but to name a few achievements! I think that list is absolutely fantastic! I want to keep the efforts alive.
going down the steps to your right would easily make a football pitch.
I have said many times that I think your dad is one of the good guys, I believe he has tried very hard to do his upmost best. But he has been working in an essentially dysfunctional PC with one person controlling the agenda and no other councillor has been able to stand up to him. Your dad has put up the best fight with his mix of humour and enthusiasm. When you have Frank Keegan on the PC everything gets tainted. Good people with good intentions have no room to operate. Frank has his agenda and he will impose it no matter what other people say. So when you hear people have a snipe at the current PC they are not having a snipe at the whole of the PC, they are purely demonstrating their feelings towards Frank. They may also be disappointed that the members of the PC individually or collectively have not stood up to him. I do recognise that your dad has tried.
This election is not about getting the current PC or the Conservatives out. It is simply about getting Frank Keegan out.
Why do I care? Because I share Conservative values and I was made aware of what was going on in AE by my partner who is from AE. I was appalled by what I saw. I was appalled by the way this man can bring such disgrace on those Conservative principles.
Alderley Edge is one of the jewels in the crown of Cheshire, and I live in Cheshire. So I just want the people of AE to vote in councillors who will work to enhance AE, irrespective of the politics, independent, conservative, it makes no difference as long as their primary focus is the village.
I'm assuming that your reference to "John" refers to my comment ?
If so I'm happy to add my positive comments about Duncan's contribution to our community, I think he has done a great job on the park and ploughed a very lonely furrow on other matters. Plus I enjoy his conversation on infrequent dog walking encounters.
My issue was with your all out attack on an AE1 candidate when they intimated that their views were not 100% set in stone.
That struck me as being ironic given how intransigent Mr Keegan had been and how we are still guessing as to what his relationship with Emerson/Jones actually is.
Hope that explains matters.
I would take what Alan is asking as a bit of a compliment. What I see is that he is asking 'why would you associate yourself with Frank Keegan when you could achieve so much more in your own name". What I see is that your dad has actually much more in common with AE1 than he does with the Conservatives. After all, he is the only current member of the PC who is prolific on this site, sometimes it is a bit inappropriate and lacks a certain congruence, but there is no question that her really cares.
1. trying to get me to change sides? You cunning devil !
2. congruence lacking? I had to look up the word in the dictionary; and I still don't understand it !
3. I know it was a slip of the pen, but I'm a 'He', not a 'Her'.