Dear Sir,
In May, Newton Aycliffe residents will get an opportunity to stand as a candidate for our Town Council. Many will be put off by the thought of financial obligations or the complexities of the procedure involved in standing for public office, so I am going to explain . . .
THERE AREN’T ANY.
Qualifications required to stand: THERE AREN’T ANY.
All we ask is that you are 18+ and care passionately about our beautiful town . . . OK SO FAR, READ ON:
Independents believe we have no need for political parties on our council, indeed some of us are appalled and alarmed by the apparent rise in left wing sympathies inspired by Corbyn and the rise of Liberal one policy, ‘cut the council tax for the rich candidates’.
Consequently, we require new blood with sensible views on how to enhance life in our fantastic town, we have wonderful opportunities to partner with owners and operators working on the most successful Business Park in the region.
If we are successful in being the largest group on the council, we can begin to look at reinstating Aycliffe Show, cleaning out the boating lakes and ask for the Burn to be cleared of rubbish. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.
I do not wish to denigrate the existing Labour controlled Council, which has proven to be fiscally stable.
Our County Councillors seem to be happy to follow the cabinet line and go along with any dictates which come down from County Hall, so much so that in a recent debate on double taxation they turned their backs on the people who voted for them and refused to join the debate, claiming that as they get an allowance from the County they consider themselves as paid employees of the County Council forgetting those who elected them as County Councillors to represent them at County level.
Could I say that I believe in democracy and those elected are selected to represent those people who elected us, and I also believe we have a duty to vote.
We have already increased the number of candidates wishing to stand following an earlier appeal by my colleague, Arun Chandran, but we would like to contest every one of the thirty seats on Great Aycliffe Parish Council and particularly the seven seats on Durham County Council, which will be available in May.
I attach contact details for myself and Arun Chandran, but feel free to contact any Independent councillor for advice on this.
Looking forward in anticipation of hearing from you soon.
Cllr Ken Robson
Tel 01325 321471
kenrobson71@gmail.com
Cllr Arun Chandran
Tel 01325 313224
arunmchandran@aol.com
