North Hampshire residents will be taking to the polls in a week’s time to vote in the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council elections.
One seat is up for grabs in each ward, and candidates from different political parties will be campaigning to try and get elected and become borough councillors.
Below are details for all candidates standing in the Evingar, Tadley & Pamber and Tadley North, Kingsclere & Baughurst wards.
The election takes place on Thursday, May 2.
Evingar
Phil Heath (Hampshire Independent)
“I am an independent candidate working with like minded Hampshire Independents to provide services our local residents need, not what political parties tell councillors.
“Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is led by independents working with all councillors and each year more residents are electing independents.
“I am your local candidate living in St Mary Bourne, a retired insurance account manager, care worker and former councillor with experience in planning and housing.
“Evingar ward, like much of rural Hampshire, has been neglected with funding going to large urban areas.
“Parishes need support to repair neglected roads and countryside footpaths and provide local supported housing for rent as well as for first time buyers.”
Jen Lee will be standing for Labour. The party was contacted for information about this candidate.
Pauleen Malone (Liberal Democrat)
”I have lived in Highclere for over 30 years, in the same house where I have brought up two children. Before this I was a sixth form teacher.
“I am active in the community, volunteering at Citizens Advice, editing the parish magazine for many years and I care deeply about our local issues.
“I believe that we need to create a fairer and kinder society and this must come from local communities working together.
“The Lib Dems have a sound record in local government and are doing a great job leading Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. If elected I will make sure our area is heard.”
Jo Perry (Conservative)
“As a resident of Egbury, I’m passionate about our countryside and preserving our North Wessex Downs for future generations.
“I am an advocate for supporting local farmers and for protecting our precious local rivers, but I also understand the challenges of raising a family in our North Hampshire villages.
“I was vice-chair of St Mary Bourne Parish Council, so I understand what being a borough councillor involves and how to support residents with planning issues.
“I’d be honoured to represent our communities and to join a united team of Conservative councillors in Evingar, who do so much to support our rural villages.”
Chris Whitehead (Green)
“I joined the Green Party because it is the only party offering rational solutions, not only to the impending climate catastrophe, but also to the very real social problems caused by colossal inequality and the management of our public services.
“Having spent 17 years living abroad, I can speak with personal knowledge of how far behind this country is in simple practical solutions like recycling, rented housing and public transport.
“A former Royal Marine, as a councillor I would fight for the promotion of environment-friendly projects in our area.
“I have decades of experience in industry, and would, if elected, be accountable to the voters of Evingar.
“I have lived in the area for 22 years, and have a son and daughter who went to local schools.”
Tadley & Pamber
Jay Ahuji will be standing for Labour. The party was contacted for information about this candidate.
Kerri Carruthers (Conservative)
“I have lived in the Tadley area since childhood. I was first elected in 2016. I understand the priorities in our area and I have the experience to get things done.
“I’ll tackle excessive housebuilding. We need to ensure that homes we do build benefit existing residents, with the right houses in the right places. I will campaign to stop the plans for Skates Lane.
“I will support local businesses and community facilities and I’ll campaign to freeze borough council tax.
“Tadley and Pamber is my home – it’s the community I love and where I’ve chosen to raise my children.”
Kevin Chatburn (Liberal Democrat)
Kevin Chatburn has lived in Tadley for over 35 years. He is now retired, but has not fully put his engineering skills to rest.
Mr Chatburn will often be seen walking his springador dog in Pamber Forest where he does some volunteer work with the conservation team.
He values the countryside, history and ecology of the area and co-chairs Tadley and Pamber Rural Protection Group.
He said: “People may not have the time, energy or knowledge to get the most from services available to them in Tadley & Pamber and I’m eager to help support residents to bridge the gap.”
Christina Jordan will be standing for Reform UK. The party was contacted for information about this candidate.
Tadley North, Kingsclere & Baughurst
David Conquest (Liberal Democrat)
“I love living in this area – especially the real sense of community I feel from the people and walking through the wonderful countryside that surrounds us.
“I’ve now lived in Kingsclere for over eight years and served as part of the community on the parish council for the last two of those.
“We are facing some challenges locally, however, notably the cost of living, housing and the environment, which this government are making worse, not better.
“I believe the Lib Dem policies for a fair deal for all and on green issues are the right way forward for the area and the country.”
Stuart Frost (Conservative)
“I’m passionate about Kingsclere and North Tadley, as your borough councillor up to 2023 and former Tadley Town Councillor.
“With the cost of living high, I’m campaigning for a borough council tax freeze and grants for the vulnerable.
“I’ll tackle excessive house building, protecting village character and our natural environment. Infrastructure and support for local services needs to come first.
“I’ll fight to put residents back in control of development in Kingsclere — Porch Farm is the wrong place for the homes we need.
“Local Conservatives are investing to improve local roads — I’ll ensure our ward benefits from those funds.”
Ken Rhatigan (Independent)
“After more than 20 years living in the most beautiful part of Hampshire, I feel I have a duty to protect it.
“That means keeping our rivers clean, our landscape litter free and our roads properly maintained.
“That duty continues by halting unwanted development as I did as part of the RAAD Team in Ashford Hill and blocking inappropriate traveller pitches in Headley.
“We need to help the rural economy thrive, by reducing unnecessary paperwork and more financial assistance this will aid the farming and racehorse industries.
“Many are sick of party politics. I hope my independent voice will attract your support.”
Matt Russell (Labour)
“My focus this year is to prioritise our road repairs.
“Once again repairs have been carried out to large stretches of highway such as the road through Axmansford yet the much busier stretch that passes the Hurst School has again been neglected leading to huge potholes right outside the school which force vehicles to weave in between them at the last minute sometimes on the wrong side of the road.
“Locations like this must be given priority when maintenance is planned.
“Truly affordable housing is also high on my list of priorities but only in conjunction with the expansion of our GP surgeries and other community infrastructure.”
