Welcome to Crawley Rose... Your Candidates

I have lived all my life in Crawley and am devoted to the town. I have retired after teaching geography for over 30 years in West Sussex schools including Hazelwick and St Wilfrids. As a county councillor, I will work to improve roads, pavements and residents parking and to improve provision for young people locally. I know a great deal about education, planning and health in the Crawley area and will use my knowledge and experience to serve local people. I am well known in Crawley for challenging Conservative councillors on issues such as free swimming for under 16’s and over 60’s and threats to the library service. If elected, I will be able to devote myself single-mindedly to speaking up for the people of Northgate and ThreeBridges on the County Council.

I’ve lived in Crawley for many years, and I am a former pupil of Tilgate’s ThomasBennettSchool. I previously served as a Crawley Borough councillor, and was Crawley’s Mayor from 1992-1993. If elected as your CountyCouncillor, I would demand that the County Council takes urgent action to repair Tilgate & Furnace Green’s dangerously potholed roads. Why is it that the Tory County Council can spend £2.7 million on press officers and publicity, and upwards of £1 million on trying to thwart the creation of the South Downs National Park, but leave the roads repair budget short? I am passionate about our environment and led a campaign to protect Broadfield park, and completely committed to recycling and reducing carbon emissions.

I am proud to have represented Langley Green for 18 years on Crawley Borough Council and I'm very keen to take that experience to WSCC to work for West Green and Langley Green. I am married to Jim Smith who has been the CountyCouncillor for West Green and Langley Green for 12 years. Now that he has retired I would be very honoured to take on the role of serving West Green and Langley Green at County Hall. Langley Green and West Green Primary Schools need replacing now with modern buildings providing first class learning facilities for our children. Our Pavements are in an appalling state with uneven surfaces making tripping hazards a serious concern for our senior residents. I pledge to work tirelessly for Langley Green and West Green.

Michael Jones is a 33 year-old solicitor who previously served as a Councillor at West Sussex between 2001 and 2005. A resident of EastPark, he lives in Southgate ward. He has regularly worked over the years with Crawley Labour Councillors and MP Laura Moffatt to get the best deal for Crawley residents. I want streets in good repair, without the potholes the Tories have allowed to build up. These have been a disgrace and the Tories deserve to lose just for that. I will demand that our brand new library is open when all Crawley residents can use it, including extending opening hours to Sundays. And a Social Services department given the investment and staff it needs to make our County proud. The local Tories have failed to do an of this.

As a lifelong Labour supporter, I have a strong and active involvement in Crawley. What a breath of fresh air it would be if Labour were to win in this part of the town. Labour representing residents in Maidenbower, Pound Hill and Worth would be a refreshing change for all, and a wake-up call to this Conservative controlled town. I enjoy battling for change, and an empathy and understanding for residents would be my number one priority. With the number of Labour Councillors reducing in West Sussex, it is vital that you maintain a voice. Your voice... not Henry Smith’s. If elected, I will fight for better road maintenance and an overhaul of pavements, as well as a project to look at accident blackspots, and reduce casualties on our neighbourhoods roads.

I was born in Crawley and apart from 10 years serving in the Royal Navy, have lived in Crawley all my life. I am married to Pat, with two daughters and two grandchildren. I was first elected to the County Council 12 years ago. I was instrumental in getting much needed residential improvements for Ifield in various roads and closes. However there are many roads and closes in Gossops Green & Ifield that badly need improvements. I will work tirelessly to get these done. A vote for me in these County Council elections will be a vote for a Councillor who will always put the people he represents in Gossops Green & Ifield first and fight for their interests, and I will ensure there is an effective opposition to the Conservatives at County Hall and I will speak up for Crawley.

I was born in Crawley and have lived in Crawley all my life. I have been a presenter at Mercury FM since leaving school, currently running the Mercury FM Charity Appeal as well as presenting Saturday Breakfast on the station. I care passionately about the town. I’m proud of where I was born and where I have grown up. Over the last few years though I have grown tired of moaning to the Council about things that are wrong in Crawley never getting anywhere. That is when I decided to stand for election. I want to get things done and fight for others.

I am a strong believer in community spirit and if elected would push for a better living environment in the area.

I would fight for better roads and pavements, and more activities for children and young people in the town.

David was born in London, educated in Eastbourne and lived in Crawley for over 25yrs to his wife who was born and bred in Crawley. An experienced local borough councillor, he is keen to see the developments of the local Shopping Parades with investment in the redevelopment of these and other areas within the town. He will also be addressing anti-social behaviour and vandalism in the local area. One of the main points David feels must not be forgotten in this election is the loss of £12,000,000 in the Icelandic Banking fiasco whilst leader of the County Council Henry Smith allowance increased. David is keen that there is a voice amongst the Conservatives in County Hall and he pledges to serve one and all should he be elected.

I have served as a CountyCouncillor for the last 4 years. During this time I have been a member on several committees, concentrating on the very important Adult Services Select Committee. Over the last four years I have seen the evidence of the unfair distribution of resources that Crawley suffers so badly from. This neglect plays out as bad maintenance of our roads/footpaths and verges for one. Being a mum, I care passionately about children's education and their welfare. Children are our future, I intend to ensure your children have the education and social care they deserve, not the service the Conservatives at County Hall dish out. I promise too always put you the people of Broadfield first and l’ll do my best to fight for what is right and fair for you all.

Gerraint

Thomas

Northgate &

Three Bridges

Ian

Irvine

Tilgate &

Furnace Green

Brenda

Smith

Langley Green

Michael

Jones

Southgate

Kieran

Byrne

Maidenbower &

Pound Hill South

John

Mortimer

Ifield East &

Gossops Green

Chris

Oxlade

Bewbush &

Ifield West

David

Shreeves

Pound Hill North

& Worth

Gillian

Joyce

Broadfield

We will Fight for decent roads and pavements and report every pot hole and defect to Highways. WSCC Highways inspection is totally inadequate.

We will bring to light staff and funding shortages in essential services such as Children Social Services and child protection.
We will fight for failing Crawley schools to get the support and funding to give a first class system for every Crawley child.
We will Press WSCC to fund a Shuttle bus for Crawley residents to access Hospital facilities in East Surrey.
We will promote clean air and reduce pollution by the introduction of better Public Transport systems.
We will build and maintain integrated cycle routes all over Crawley. We will fight to open the new Crawley Library on Sundays.
We Stop the sale of Centenary House, Woodfield Road, and ensure that Crawley residents can access services without travelling to Horsham.
We will fight to change the incredibly unfair road funding formula which denies the correct investment into Crawleys roads.

The County Council elections are vitally important. 78% of your council tax goes towards services which are decided on in Chichester. A vote for a Labour Councillor will ensure Crawley will have a much stronger voice at County Hall.