Thame.net

Elections 2015: Profiles of the candidates (3)

Written by

Sonja Francis

in

, ,
Carol Bradbrook-Taylor (Independent) and Peter Butler (UKIP)
Carol Bradbrook-Taylor (Independent) and Peter Butler (UKIP)

THAME.NET is inviting all the local candidates for the Election 2015, for a short profile. The following are from Carol Bradbrook Taylor and Peter Butler:

Carol BRADBROOK TAYLOR – Independent – Thame South Ward

MY decision to stand as a candidate for Councillor has been a last minute one. I was asked to consider it, and I thought, “Why Not?” I have decided to stand as an Independent candidate as I don’t think allegiance to a specific political party is crucial to fulfil this role in our neighbourhood.

My husband died 15 years ago so I have spent the best part of 15 years devoted to bringing up my sons solo as a working parent. Not much spare time then! My boys played lots of sport and as a result I became a volunteer at Chinnor RFC some 14 years ago, and latterly Oxfordshire Rugby, rising to Honorary Secretary at both. Now my sons are grown up and I have more time to devote to other aspects of my life.

My Mum moved into sheltered accommodation near the town centre so she could be close to shops, bus stop, doctors, bank, market etc. I live in Thame, by choice. As a relative newcomer I appreciate what Thame has to offer. I shop in Thame, go out in Thame, and use a wide range of facilities and services here.

I voted for the Neighbourhood Plan so am keen to see it work out. I want to see everyone living in comfortable homes, accessing the thriving town centre, being part of an exciting social scene, and local businesses providing proper work. It is vital that as more people move into Thame, they are able to integrate into the Thame lifestyle we all love.

I don’t have business interests in Thame, nor do I belong to any action group. My first dealing with Thame Town Council was representing the Rugby Club to ask for their support towards the installation of disabled facilities at the Clubhouse. Success!

I am keen to be involved in the planning, running and decision making for the future and would be honoured to be elected to the Town Council to represent the interests and concerns of all voters, visitors, groups, and businesses.

Peter BUTLER – UKIP – South Oxfordshire District Council Candidate & Thame North

I was born in South London and moved to Thame over 37 years ago. I am a serial entrepreneur, married with two daughters and two Grandchildren. I decided to stand as a Town and a District Council candidate at this election for a number of reasons.

Thame is a wonderful place to live and bring up a family. It has brilliant schools, close on full employment, very low crime rate, first class sporting facilities, fantastic young people, all adding up to a good quality of life, and I want to make sure it stays that way!

With Tesco and the Cattle Market decisions needing to be dealt with soon, I will make sure that the voices of Thame residents are heard. We have something very special here in Thame and we need to make sure it only changes for the better. We need to safeguard our town centre’s independent retail shops by cutting business rates and providing free parking in all town car parks.

• Residential development imposed on us is a symptom of failure, and has long term consequences for
our public services. I will only support building on brownfield sites.

• Financial support seems to have been drastically reduced for local organisations. I will seek to find out
why and get this changed.

• In my past business life I had dealings with Thame Town Hall and the negativity I experienced was
shocking. In my opinion Thame Town Council needs to embrace the local community, not the other
way round. I will push for transparency and accountability at the Town Hall.

I hope that people who want change over the next four years at both District Council and Town Council level will vote for me, and I will work tirelessly on their behalf.

Comments

5 responses to “Elections 2015: Profiles of the candidates (3)”

  1. Carol Bradbrook-Taylor avatar
    Carol Bradbrook-Taylor

    Dear Mr Jeffries,
    I have been a member of Chinnor RFC for about 18 years. The Club is incorporated by limited guarantee, as recommended by the RFU. As a paid up member this effectively restricts my liability to £1 equal with all the other adult members who have paid their subscriptions for the season. For 14/15 season I believe this to be around 500 people including players, parents, sponsors and vice presidents.

    Property development will affect all of us. Those living close to a construction site will undoubtabley endure the noise, mess and traffic of the construction works for several months. Once complete the additional neigbours and what they bring will certainly be absorbed into Thame as the town evolves as a positive.

    I am unable to comment with authority on any specific development as I have not availed myself of the detail. If elected, I will make sure I am well informed of any topic within my domain.

  2. R Jeffries avatar
    R Jeffries

    Dear Carol,

    Thank you for responding. While you seem to recognise that The Elms is controversial, it seems as if you are pro-development of The Elms. I note that you state that you have no business interests in Thame (which I would not view as a problem for a Councillor); does that not contradict your stated long-term involvement with Chinnor Rugby Club, which is a private limited company? I would be interested in your views of how The Elms development will affect traffic and parking issues in the short term construction phase and long term completed build.

  3. Carol Bradbrook-Taylor avatar
    Carol Bradbrook-Taylor

    Dear Mr Jeffries.
    Now I am no longer working after some 40 years of employment, and children have left home, I have a lot more time to devote to another calling. I have been looking for another cause or organisation to get involved in. I have been talking to friends and others about different opportunities, and they have come up with several suggestions including Lions, mediator, or parish councillor. I met Jeanette Matelot-Green at a local event and mentioned to her about no longer working, and stepping down from rugby. She asked if I had considered applying to be a town Councillor for Thame in the forthcoming election. No, I haven’t been “head hunted” to stand as a candidate in this election! I have applied using the applications open to all people who meet the qualifications. This year Thame will have a formal election in both North and South wards as there are more candidates than seats. Should I not be successful I will continue to look at other opportunities in the local area.

    There is much more to consider when either standing as a candidate or voting for a candidate than just one issue. I did read the TNP prior to the referendum. I like to think that I made an informed decision when I voted based on the information made available to me. Not everyone will be satisfied with the outcome of any vote. Such is democracy. I do hope that the majority of Thame electorate turn out on May 9th and so feels they have made their mark as to what happens for the next term.

    The Elms is one development, and represents a low number of houses when looking at the overall numbers both within the TNP and applications outside TNP. The current proposal of 37 dwellings within 6 acres opening up this private space to all residents and visitors seems like a gain for Thame. I accept it is controversial and much time and effort has been put into the pros and cons. Perhaps fresh eyes and ears of tenures of both SODC and TTC will bring this to a swift solution and we can all move on.

    I am more concerned with the number of small applications e.g. demolishing 1 property and building 2,3,4,5, or more properties is more of a concern as these are considered outside the TNP i.e ‘windfall’. Too many developments go for quantity rather than quality and cram in too many ¾ size properties. I would like to see any property development to be of a decent standard and proper size. By this I mean rooms of a suitable size to take full size furniture, wardrobes, cupboards etc to stash the trappings of one’s lifestyle. E.g. pram, bike, golf clubs, mobility aids, adequate parking for residents and visitors, a garden large enough to sit in, play in and dry the washing all at the same time.

    I hope my response goes a long way to identifying my reasons to stand in this election, my view of the Elms, and other property development. I have views on leisure, parking, sport, and transport amongst others. Please feel free to ask me about those!

  4. Peter Butler avatar
    Peter Butler

    Dear R Jeffries,

    Not only would I not support any new build on the Elms site, I would push for a full independent inquiry as to how it made it onto the Town Plan in the first place.

    The people of Thame have a right to know.

  5. R Jeffries avatar
    R Jeffries

    Dear Carol,
    It sounds like you have been head-hunted for the role of Town Councillor; who asked you to consider it? You say that you voted for the Thame Town Plan, what is your opinion of the proposed Elms development and does it concern you that many people who also voted for the Plan feel that they were duped by a well orchestrated campaign?

    Dear Peter,
    You state that you will only support development of brown field sites, the inference being that you therefore disagree with development of Elms FIeld, is this the case and, if elected, would you fight to have the site removed from the Town Plan?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

More posts