We’ve asked all of the candidates standing for election to Cheshire East Council to provide our readers with a short introduction to themselves.
We’ll publish these daily for all 52 council wards (in alphabetical order) in the build up to the local elections on 4th May 2023.
You can view all of the Cheshire East Council candidate submissions together by clicking here.
Listed below are all of the candidates seeking your vote in the Congleton East ward.
Voters in Congleton East can select three candidates to represent them on Cheshire East Council.
Congleton East candidates:
- Martin Amies (independent)
- Dave Brown (Conservatives)
- Paul Duffy (Liberal Democrats)
- Sally Holland (Conservatives)
- Lisa Miller (Green Party)
- Rob Moreton (independent)
- Denis Murphy (Liberal Democrats)
- Heather Pearce (independent)
- Sarah Russell (Labour)
- Kay Wesley (Women’s Equality Party)
- Glen Williams (Conservatives)
Martin Amies (independent)
Nothing submitted.
Dave Brown (Conservatives)
Nothing submitted.
Paul Duffy (Liberal Democrats)
I am married to a primary school head teacher and we have lived in Congleton for many years.
I have been involved with Congleton Cricket Club and various theatre groups at Daneside Theatre.
I play lead guitar in a local band Trip Hazard, playing live venues across the North West.
I have been a town councillor since 2019 and I am also currently our town’s town crier.
The values of the Liberal Democrats are reflected in our manifesto for our town – a caring Congleton, protecting critical Congleton services and a cleaner, greener Congleton.
Sally Holland (Conservatives)
I am Congleton born and bred and have spent 20 years fighting for residents on Congleton Town Council – including four years at Cheshire East Council.
As the fifth generation to raise my family in Congleton, I understand our local services.
I have successfully campaigned to reduce speed limits near Eaton Bank school from 50mph to 30mph, improved disabled access and road network problems near Congleton High School, and worked with and supported Congleton Youth Council.
I have worked tirelessly for our health and wellbeing, securing funding to retain services at Congleton War Memorial Hospital, spearheading the campaign for a free-to-use dog agility facility and helping countless residents with complex issues like Payment Independence Payments (PIP).
As a business owner, I understand enterprise and town centre vitality. I launched the anti-social behaviour group on Congleton Town Council to reduce crime and raise standards and I have a record of advocating for fair business rates and town regeneration.
I consistently fight for and support Congleton and its residents.
Lisa Miller (Green Party)
I’m a mother of two children and work as a critical care nurse. I’m used to being an advocate for people through my line of work.
I have a very keen interest in conservation and so run ‘Congleton Plant Swap and Gardening for Wildlife’ and rescue hedgehogs.
My drive for standing is to promote health and well-being of the community, and represent the concerns of all residents, to the best of my ability.
Residents are weary of the loss of green space in Congleton, so I would campaign hard to protect these.
Also, I would campaign hard for the Congleton Household and Recycling Centre to be reinstated. I would be very proud to represent the residents of Congleton East.
Rob Moreton (independent)
Nothing submitted.
Denis Murphy (Liberal Democrats)
I am involved with a large number of our community organisations including Talking Newspapers, Hospital League of Friends and Congleton Community Credit Union.
Congleton Community Credit Union helps to reduce the reliance of local residents on payday lenders, serving members who are at the lower end of the scale.
I also manage a parish centre for the Diocese of Shrewsbury as well as being involved in the licence trade.
I was a Liberal Democrat town councillor between 2003 and 2015 and since 2019. I have also been a Cheshire East councillor since 2019.
I have had the honour of serving as our town’s mayor on three occasions.
Heather Pearce (independent)
I am honest and principled, approachable, energetic and determined.
I have lived in Congleton for over 25 years, raising three children – one of whom has additional needs.
I am passionate about developing tolerant and inclusive communities, protecting our green spaces, improving sustainable transport, regenerating town centres and supporting Cheshire East in tackling the climate crisis.
I am a speech and language therapist and have worked in the NHS for over 30 years in hospitals, schools, community settings and currently at CAMHS and SPACE4Autism; my experience will be invaluable in supporting Cheshire East’s health and education initiatives.
Sarah Russell (Labour)
I’m a married mother of three, solicitor, and housing association board member.
My children attend a local primary school and I live in Congleton East.
As your councillor, my focus would be on providing meaningful support to people and businesses through the cost of living crisis, lobbying Cheshire East Council for extra resources for Congleton and improving road safety.
I’d like to make it easier and more pleasant for us all to walk to Congleton’s shops, parks and schools.
’m an experienced councillor, having sat on Manchester City Council for nearly nine years, and would be able to ‘hit the ground running’ to represent you.
I’m standing as a Labour candidate because I want to make a contribution to our community, and because I believe that things can and should be better for everyone in it.
Kay Wesley (Women’s Equality Party)
I live in Congleton and am a local business owner. I was elected to the town council in 2019 and have worked hard for my local community.
I helped launch a domestic abuse clinic in Congleton (domestic abuse arrests have doubled), got White Ribbon accreditation (engaging men to challenge male violence), declared a climate emergency and volunteered with the green group, campaigned for a new Congleton tip, supported green spaces and trees in planning decisions, lobbied for better bus services, supported the community during the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, worked with Cheshire Police to challenge antisocial behaviour and make our streets safer and implemented a new council equality and inclusion Policy.
As a Cheshire East councillor, I will work to replace Congleton’s tip, improve childcare and social care, prevent crime, boost our town centre and implement an improved transport strategy for drivers, public transport users, pedestrians and cyclists.
Glen Williams (Conservatives)
I have lived in Congleton all my life, having a professional background in the insurance industry.
For 20 years I have been a community champion for many voluntary groups winning a Coronavirus Local Heroes Award for supporting hundreds of people during lockdown.
I have delivered significant positive change in the Bromley Farm neighbourhood and also delivered many community projects across the town. I am a very active school governor at Daven Primary School and Eaton Bank Academy.
Previously a town and borough councillor – holding several responsible positions – I am a hard working, highly motivated individual who cares passionately about the town. I believe being a councillor is a real honour and privilege.
I always have and always will put Congleton first, supporting the most vulnerable and protecting vital valued services that Congleton residents need and deserve including the provision of a modern recycling facility.
So Cheshire remains proudly non-partisan and has provided the same opportunity to all parties and independent candidates.
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