Issues for Nailsea - Lidl

By Sarah Hearne (Youngwood Ward)

Image from Wikipedia

In speaking to people I've come to realise that the biggest concern is, by far, Lidl. Lidl's proposal to build a store on the current Stockway south car park has created a lot of justified concern amongst locals, particularly those in the Youngwood ward who live close to the precinct as many fear that they will feel the greatest impacts of any disruption that is bound to come from the closure of the car park during construction.

I attended both the 'town hall' meeting at Scotch Horn and the town council meeting at the tithe barn. The public turnout at both meetings was a testament to the strength of feeling there is over this matter. 

The thing that struck me during the town hall meeting was how reactive Lidl have been. Anyone reading their proposals could see multiple problems without any difficultly – highlighted by the numerous objections the council received. Yet instead of thinking of these problems themselves and addressing them in their proposals, it was as if the meeting was the first time they’d really thought through the full implications of their proposals. When asked about how access to the health centre would be provided during the construction period (at least 6 months, some – or most, who knows – of which will involve the car park being completely closed to vehicles) Mr Mitchell, the Lidl representative, had no response. He said that Lidl have been looking to come to Nailsea for 15 years yet their plans do not show any sense of understanding of the area or complexities of the site they are proposing to build on.

At the council meeting there were other interesting points made: most striking was that Tower House Medical had not been approached by anyone from Lidl to discuss the impact of the construction and functioning of the proposed store, a state of affairs one councillor called ‘extraordinary’. Additionally, there had been no consideration of the impact on Christ Church. One councillor noted that her husband an HGV driver and it was his professional opinion that the proposed delivery plan is unworkable while another councillor said that in his working life he has looked at a lot of ‘strange’ planning applications but this one ‘takes the biscuit’. One called the plans 'abysmal'.

I'm not against Lidl coming to Nailsea, I just think that building on a carpark is probably the stupidest location that could have ever been considered. There are other sites that would be much more suitable. Lidl excluded both the Weston College site and the police station for various reasons and Ellandi say they want the store to be in the town centre to bring in visitors. It's hard to see how struggling independent businesses are going to feel about yet another supermarket coming in and undercutting their prices, yet even if this wasn't the case, the fact is we have three supermarkets in this part of Nailsea already - is a fourth really necessary?

Tales from the campaign trail

By Sarah Hearne (Youngwood Ward)

(Image from wikiHow)

Don't you just hate being at home enjoying your far-too-short evening or weekend only for the doorbell to ring by some stranger asking for a 'just a few minutes of your time'? I know I do, which is why I find canvassing such a conflicting way to spend my time. On the one hand it's the best and most direct way to meet people, understand their concerns and let them get to know you and what you stand for. On the other, it feels that knocking on people's doors unexpectedly and uninvited is the best way to annoy them. So I go canvassing with some hesitation. 

Add to that the unending series of decisions that come with canvassing. The first is whether or not to knock at all. Many people have some variation of the 'No Cold Callers' sticker on their door. Should I ring the bell as I'm not selling anything (except maybe the idea of an informed electorate) or do I take it as a sign that the occupants don't want to be disturbed? Next is whether to ring or knock. Some people have multiple doorbells so I've got to work out which one is the 'active' one. Sometimes I don't see the doorbell until after I've knocked and then feel silly. Other times I ring the doorbell but can't be sure if it's working so don't know whether or not I'm waiting for an answer that doesn't even know it's required. Then there's the decision of how long to wait for someone to answer. It's rarely clear if someone is home so I need to wait long enough to give people time to get to the door but not so long that I waste time and look like an idiot. I've taken to counting slowly to 20 under my breath. If I haven't heard sounds of motion after that time then it's unlikely to come.

If someone does answer the door the next set of decisions present themselves. What to say? I have developed a standard opening line and then try and take my cues as to how to continue from the person. But that standard opening line can start sounding insincere when it's been repeated numerous times so there's the need to make it sound honest, enthusiastic and above all, clear. I've found that even the simplest sentence can become a tongue-twister if said enough times! 

Luckily, when I do speak to people it's generally been extremely positive. I've had a lot of support and encouragement from people and I will do my best to deserve it should I get elected. 

Canvassing is surprisingly hard work but I think it is an essential part of the campaign process. It is the best way for people to get to know me and hopefully begin to trust that a vote for me won't be a wasted vote. It's also surprisingly rewarding - I've been pleasantly surprised by how many people have read my leaflets (I had visions of them being put in the bin unread in their droves!) and have responded positively to them. Above all, it's really nice to meet the people who may be voting for me to discuss the issues that concern them most. After all, it's because I care about Nailsea and its residents that I'm doing this.

FAQ 7 - How do I know which Ward I am in?

The quickest way to find out is to look at your polling card as this will not only tell you which ward you are in but will also tell you where your polling station is. If you can't find your polling card you can look at this map. You can type in your postcode and it will show you which ward you are in.

Map of Nailsea wards (from lgbce.org)

FAQ 6 - Who else is standing in the council elections?

In each ward there is an Independent and a Conservative candidate. In the Yeo ward there is also a Labour candidate. The candidates are as follows:

Golden Valley Ward
Andy Cole (Independent)
Jeremy Blatchford (Conservative)

West End Ward
James Tonkin (Independent)
Anne Kemp (Conservative)

Yeo Ward
Julie Day (Independent)
Mary Blatchford (Conservative)
Peter Harris (Labour)

Youngwood Ward
Sarah Hearne (Independent)
Jan Barber (Conservative)

FAQ 5 - I want to vote but won't be around on election day. What should I do?

There are two options. You can apply for a postal vote, though you must do so in the next day or so as postal vote applications must be received by the local Electoral Registration Office by 5pm, at least 11 working days before election day.

Alternatively you can apply for a proxy vote. The same deadline applies as for the postal vote.

Meet the candidates – Julie Day (Yeo Ward)

 

Julie was born in Nailsea and her local roots go back to 1939 when her grandparents moved here after they married. Her grandfather, Phil Kingston, worked for R N Coate Cider and her grandmother Rene worked for Gerry Parker’s.

 Julie attended Hannah More Infant and Grove Junior Schools before completing her education at Nailsea School. She has three children who have also grown up and gone to school in Nailsea and now with her eldest nearly 20 she’s looking forward to spending more of her time on local issues which she will embrace with her usual determination and enthusiasm.

Julie worked for 15 years as an administrator within the NHS before having her family and has subsequently worked for local businesses within North Somerset. She currently works for Oxford Brookes University.

Julie believes that local issues should not be determined by party political ideology.

FAQ 4 - I haven't registered, is it too late?

The simple answer is, unfortunately, yes. 

But while it's too late for this election you can always register now for the next one. You can register online through the government website here or you can register by post, just download the appropriate form from here and send it to the given address.

Meet the candidates – James Tonkin (West End Ward)

James moved to Nailsea from Bristol nearly 40 years ago when he married Ann. They have two grown up daughters, Rebecca and Emma, who inspired the name of James’ joinery business in the town. He lives within the West End ward.

James served on North Somerset District Council from 2003-2007 when he served as Chairman of Central Area Planning as well as the Licensing Committee, the Standards Board and others. From 2007 to date James has served on Nailsea Town Council and is currently doing his fifth year as Chairman of the Planning and Environmental Committee.

James is Chairman of the Trustees for the Clifton Rocks Railway and is a life member of the Bristol Aero Collection. He is also a Mini enthusiast and is in the process of restoring his 1967 Mini Cooper S together with his Mini Moke.

FAQ 3 - Council elections? I thought there was a general election!

You thought correctly! There is a general election on May 7th. But there are also local elections for both town and county councillors. In Nailsea only one ward, Yeo, is voting for town councillors as all the other wards have uncontested candidates. But all wards are voting for their county representative.

You vote for all elections at the same time and in the same place. Your polling card will tell you where you need to go to vote, though you don't need to take it with you. Polling stations are open between 7am and 10pm on election day.

Meet the candidates – Andy Cole (Golden Valley Ward)

Andy moved to Nailsea 40 years ago and is married to Sue (nee Kingston) who was born in the town. Andy was first elected to North Somerset Council in 1995 and has served on the council for 20 years.

Andy has been an extremely active councillor having been a member of several committees and scrutiny panels including the planning committee, the employment committee, the standards committee, the licensing committee, the joint consultative committee, adult services policy and scrutiny panel and the community and corporate services policy and scrutiny panel. Over the years Andy has also been chairman of a planning committee and one of the scrutiny panels.

In a previous life Andy worked for the largest retailer in the world for 25 years as a loss prevention manager travelling extensively around England. Apart from council duties, Andy is keen on sport walking and travelling.

FAQ 2 - Why are there four candidates?

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) was asked to review the boundaries within North Somerset as there were some areas where councillors were representing significantly fewer or more people than the average.

The consultation period took place in 2013 and the result was that the number of councillors in North Somerset was reduced from 61 to 50 and that the boundaries in Nailsea would be changed. Currently, Nailsea has five councillors who cover two wards. These wards are Nailsea East and Nailsea North and West. These wards have been dissolved and four new wards have been created. These are Nailsea West End, Nailsea Youngwood, Nailsea Golden Valley and Nailsea Yeo. 

James Tonkin is standing in West End.

Sarah Hearne is standing in Youngwood. 

Andy Cole is standing in Golden Valley. 

Julie Day is standing in Yeo.

Meet the candidates - Sarah Hearne (Youngwood Ward)

I was born in Nailsea in 1981 and went to Four Oaks Primary School then Christ Church Junior School before going to school in Bristol. I studied Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland in New Zealand and Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology at the University of Plymouth before working in the Falkland Islands for two years as a Fisheries Observer.

I returned to the UK to study for a Masters at the Natural History Museum in London and have since worked at Trinity College Dublin. Yet in between these travels Nailsea is the place I come home to, the place I call home. It is now the place where I hope to be able to settle down.

Every time I return to Nailsea the lack of investment in the town becomes more and more apparent. I am fed up with this situation and want to do what I can to bring our council money back to our town.

FAQ 1 - If you're independent, why are you all here together?

As Independent candidates we have no party affiliation. We just want to do what we can for Nailsea and North Somerset as a whole. 

We are working together in terms of this blog and in a few other ways for the simple reason that by doing so we amplify our voice. We have no party website or team of volunteers to help us get our message out and each of us working independently would mean there was little chance of us being found. By blogging together we can (hopefully!) get a larger audience than we would achieve individually. 

It's important to recognise that it's only in these logistical matters that we are united. Of course, there are many other areas where we have similar views but this is not a given and it is best to read the posts by the candidate for your Ward to ensure that you think they will represent you.

Welcome to our blog!

Welcome! This is a blog for the Independent Candidates running in the North Somerset Council elections which are to be held on 7th May. We will be adding more content as we can to inform you about our aims and hopes for Nailsea and maybe some stories from the campaign trail! 

I will be adding contact information later today so that you can get in touch with us directly but for now if there are any comments or questions then please feel free to let us know in the comments section.