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 Dane Valley ward.
Voters in Dane Valley can select two candidates to represent them on Cheshire East Council.
Dane Valley candidates:
- Russell Chadwick (Conservatives)
- Robert Green (Green Party)
- Craig Hynes (Labour)
- Andrew Kolker (Conservatives)
- Diane Tams (Liberal Democrats)
- Martin Wood (Green Party)
Russell Chadwick (Conservatives)
I worked as executive director of INHOPE, a team combating online child abuse, and I was vice president of SurfControl based in Congleton.
Immediately prior to retirement I took on a role with East Cheshire Hospice, raising over £1 million and enabling the launch of the Hospice at Home.
The Labour/Independent administration at Cheshire East Council have cut services in rural areas while at the same time increasing our council taxes by over 18% despite generous funding by central government.
The money which should have been spent on our services has been diverted to fund vanity projects in Crewe and Macclesfield.
However, you only need to consider the reduction in gritting and the closure of our services to see these cuts have gone too deep.
Robert Green (Green Party)
Nothing submitted.
Craig Hynes (Labour)
I am delighted to be standing as a candidate for the Labour party in the upcoming local elections in the Dane Valley Ward.
I am an occupational therapist working within the NHS, specialising in mental health.
I am passionate about ensuring those in crisis can access appropriate support in a timely manner.
I am a resident of Holmes Chapel, having moved to the area with my family in 2017.
My children attend the local primary school and nursery and we enjoy spending time outdoors in and around the local area.
Throughout the six years I have lived in the village, I have witnessed the village expand and grow, particularly with young families and I want to ensure their voice is heard so that any issues pertinent to them can be raised and acted upon.
Andrew Kolker (Conservatives)
I have lived in Goostrey for over 30 years. I am currently chair of the Everybody Health and Leisure Trust which operates in Holmes Chapel and throughout Cheshire East.
I was elected onto Cheshire East Council at its inception in 2008. I have worked hard to protect and improve the community within the ward of Dane Valley.
I am passionate about protecting the rural nature of the ward and have worked extensively with the local community to oppose inappropriate planning applications, especially on green field sites and in the open countryside.
My priorities are: to protect the amenities and facilities for residents, to provide premises for fledgling and start-up businesses, to ensure there are sufficient school places, to increase funding for road repairs and ensure that Dane Valley remains a wonderful place to live and work.
Diane Tams (Liberal Democrats)
I have lived in Holmes Chapel for 16 years and have two grown-up children. I’ve now retired after 35 years within the pharmaceutical industry.
I have been a parish councillor within Holmes Chapel, and have been vice-chair of the council for the last two years.
I have a particular interest in planning issues and the need for infrastructure improvements as part of development.
I am also keen to develop safer walking routes around our communities, particularly for those going to school and for those using local services.
Martin Wood (Green Party)
Now is the time for change!
I have seen the damage caused by the successive governments over the last 15 years and it has demonstrated that the three major parties – Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat – have lost their way and the two party system is not working.
I am concerned that the public have lost their confidence in the trust, professionalism, integrity and honesty needed in politics to make things happen for the right reasons.
It is now time for me to give the opportunity to voters to select the Green Party in Cheshire East representing my home district of Dane Valley.
Issues such as traffic movement in Holmes Chapel, speeding and poor roads in Goostrey, support for farming and adequate public services in Dane Valley need to be given the priority they deserve.
So Cheshire remains proudly non-partisan and has provided the same opportunity to all parties and independent candidates.
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