We’ve asked all of the candidates standing for election to Cheshire West and Chester Council to provide our readers with a short introduction to themselves.
We’ll publish these daily for all 45 council wards (in alphabetical order) in the build up to the local elections on 4th May 2023.
You can view all of the Cheshire West and Chester Council candidate submissions together by clicking here.
Listed below are all of the candidates seeking your vote in the Upton ward.
Voters in Upton can select two candidates to represent them on Cheshire West and Chester Council.
Upton candidates:
- Sherin Akhtar (Labour)
- Matt Bryan (Labour)
- Steven Hesketh (Conservatives)
- Ian Hopkinson (Liberal Democrats)
- Jill Houlbrook (Conservatives)
- Noel McGlinchey (Liberal Democrats)
- Helen Wilman (Green Party)
Sherin Akhtar (Labour)
I am a trained social worker and I care deeply about making sure people in our community have access to the help and support services that they need.
My kids went to Upton primary schools and I loved bringing them up in the local area, where we enjoyed all the parks and amenities that Upton has.
I’m standing for election for the first time, because I want to give something back.
I love helping people and I will be here for people whenever they need me.
Matt Bryan (Labour)
I have always prioritised protection for Upton’s environment.
At first it was standing against government plans to allow fracking on sites like Duttons Lane.
More recently I have led a ground-breaking project to decontaminate an acid tar lagoon left behind on the outskirts of Upton by industry decades ago.
I am proud of the work I have done to support Upton residents with housing issues and on local projects, like planting trees, sorting out a fence around the new pond at the QEII, and road resurfacing on Weston Grove.
Steven Hesketh (Conservatives)
I am one of the Conservative candidates for Upton by Chester Ward, campaigning alongside Jill Houlbrook.
I’m a local entrepreneur in hospitality and have lived here for 20+ years, after growing up in Australia.
My family have grown up via Acresfield Primary School and Upton High School.
I am passionate to see common sense at the heart of politics and local council and believe councils should be transparent in expenditure and decision making.
I believe Upton is perfectly placed as one of the UK’s best suburbs to live, work, play and learn.
Ian Hopkinson (Liberal Democrats)
I am a data scientist who works for a local company on the Chester Business Park.
I previously worked as a physics lecturer in Manchester before moving to Chester to work at Unilever in Port Sunlight in 2004.
I have lived on the edge of the Upton Ward since then with my wife and 11-year-old son, who was born in the Countess of Chester Hospital.
I have been a member of Chester and now Chester, Ellesmere Port and Neston Liberal Democrats for nearly 10 years, serving on its executive.
Jill Houlbrook (Conservatives)
I am delighted to be standing for election again in Upton ward. Upton has grown and developed over the years that I have been privileged to work with and for our residents.
I have served in Upton as a councillor for 26 years and my ethos has always been to work as a facilitator and activist in and for the community.
I am a member of the governing bodies at Westlea Primary, Acresfield Academy and Upton High Schools and a parish councillor, an avid supporter of our Armed Forces, Chester Pride and inclusion and diversity.
I will continue my work to preserve Upton’s green spaces and history, to listen to my community and to be always pro-active.
Noel McGlinchey (Liberal Democrats)
I have been an active campaigner around Chester for the past 30 years. In the 1990s I worked successfully to help establish Hoole Lights.
Since then I have helped ensure improvements to local open spaces – including play areas and dog-walking facilities.
I helped encourage recycling schemes through skip days and have been a consistent voice against over-development and for improved community amenities.
I am a father and grandfather with strong local roots whose three children were all educated at local schools, and two grandchildren living locally.
Helen Wilman (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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