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 West ward.
Voters in Congleton West can select three candidates to represent them on Cheshire East Council.
Congleton West candidates:
- Suzie Akers-Smith (independent)
- Mark Edwardson (independent)
- Suzy Firkin (Liberal Democrats)
- Emma Hall (Conservatives)
- George Hayes (Conservatives)
- Robert Hemsley (Liberal Democrats)
- Mark Hill (independent)
- Amanda Martin (Conservatives)
- Heather Seddon (Labour)
- Olga Whitmore (Green Party)
Suzie Akers-Smith (independent)
In the last four years I have worked hard for the residents of Congleton in sorting out issues such as replacing pavements that have been damaged, removing overgrown hedges over pathways, regularly reporting potholes and working with Dane Housing to achieve a better service for residents.
But my passion is active travel and as the borough champion, I have helped groups throughout the whole borough raise the difficulties, they face being active.
My Active Travel Safaris have shaped the town delivery plans.
I’m a force of nature and I get things done.
Mark Edwardson (independent)
Nothing submitted.
Suzy Firkin (Liberal Democrats)
I have lived in Congleton since childhood. I’m a chartered engineer and management consultant and have run my own business for over 25 years.
I’m a current Congleton town councillor for West Ward, having been elected in 2019.
I’m an active campaigner in protecting the critical services we need as a community.
I’ve been active in discussions to secure a new recycling centre, reopen health and social care facilities such as Mountview and our hospital’s Minor Injuries Unit.
I worked with the regional Post Office representatives to ensure that Congleton regained its town centre post office.
I have led the town council’s work on biodiversity and net zero as well as ensuring that Congleton Town Hall becomes more of a community facility.
I’m committed to ensuring that all the decisions the council takes protect the most vulnerable in our community and protect our planet for future generations.
Emma Hall (Conservatives)
I have lived and raised my family of four boys with my husband in Congleton West for the last 20 years.
I want to represent you to help the economy and environment of our town to grow and thrive.
I’ve already made a difference by setting up a menopause and wellbeing support group during the Covid-19 lockdown, but with a mandate from Congleton residents on Cheshire East Council I know I can do more.
I run a successful local business in the ward – EMAYOGA – and value honesty, integrity and hard work.
If elected, I will show those qualities and my unique perspective as a business owner on the council.
I am approachable, practical and proactive – if you put your faith in me, you will have a councillor who listens and gets things done!
George Hayes (Conservatives)
Nothing submitted.
Robert Hemsley (Liberal Democrats)
I have lived in Congleton since my teens and now live in Lower Heath with my wife, young son, pet dog and cat.
I have worked for Royal Mail since 2017. I have also been a town councillor since 2019.
I am a White Ribbon Ambassador and chair of our town’s White Ribbon Working Group. White Ribbon Ambassadors promise to never use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women.
I am also involved as a member of our speed watch team.
In my opinion, speeding in residential areas and near schools, poor air quality from traffic congestion, unsafe pavements, cycle routes, dog mess, fly-tipping and bin charges are all issues that do matter.
I am now ready to step up to the more demanding role at Cheshire East Council.
Mark Hill (independent)
I have lived in Cheshire East for most of my life and my family live in the area so I know Cheshire extremely well.
I worked at British Aerospace Woodford (formerly Hawker Siddeley) where I did my apprenticeship.
I’ve worked in the aerospace and defence industries all my life and worked and lived around the UK before moving back to Cheshire East.
I am a parish councillor for Hulme Walfield and Somerford Booths parish and I am passionate about helping people who need and require assistance and in keeping the area in which we all live safe, well cared-for and looked after for the benefit of residents.
I have in the past been a volunteer for Macclesfield Youth Offenders Team to help young people. I also chaired one of the youth offenders community panels.
I would ask the people of Congleton to vote for the independent candidates as we have no political agendas and will focus on the residents’ issues and concerns, with no party politics.
Amanda Martin (Conservatives)
When I retired I decided to do something more useful with my life than just earn money.
I stood for election as a town councillor and have served as such for 12 years.
I put a great deal of time and energy into this role, always aiming to support any improvements to the town that the ordinary people of Congleton see as worthwhile.
I believe that a councillor should be a servant and not a master, listening to their electors, trying to solve any problems with services and being the voters’ voice on the council.
They should not be power-hungry or self-important, but should work together with other councillors to deliver good value for council tax.
Heather Seddon (Labour)
I relocated with my family to Congleton in 2011, to work at AstraZeneca. I have two adult children.
I am passionate about science and nature, and volunteer with many environmental groups in Congleton.
I am the chair of Congleton Sustainability Group and a member of Congleton Town Council’s working group, ‘Congleton Green’.
If elected, I will support, promote and improve Cheshire East’s green policies.
I am also a member of Elizabeth’s Group, which successfully raised the funds for a statue of Congleton’s famous suffragist Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy, which can be seen in Congleton’s town centre.
My strengths are having good organisation skills and a determination to get things done.
Olga Whitmore (Green Party)
Nothing submitted.
So Cheshire remains proudly non-partisan and has provided the same opportunity to all parties and independent candidates.
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