Ryedale: In depth

The authority is currently hung, with 11 Tories, six Independents, five Liberal Democrats and one Labour.

Amotherby
Pamela Anderson (Conservative) has lived in Swinton for 12 years and represented Amotherby for four years. She has been the council’s representative on Ryedale Festival Trust, Ryedale Live Arts and the Tourism Action Group.

Pamela is a Malton School governor, a Ryedale Carers trustee and on the committee of the Citizens’ Advice Bureau.

Ampleforth
Jim Bailey (Conservative) has represented Ampleforth for four years, and says he is well-placed to champion local produce and business essential to a sustainable future. He said: “I take the people I serve very seriously indeed, and will use the experience I have gained to help serve their needs and further their aspirations.”

Anne Carter (Lib Dem) has lived in Ampleforth for the past 14 years. Her children were educated at the local primary school and her husband Andrew has taught in the area since the eighties. She has worked locally for many years as a book seller, but is currently taking time out to study with the Open University for a degree in general humanities.

Cropton
John Clark (Liberal) grew up on a farm in Cropton. He and his family returned to run the family farm.
“It is time for a change. Ryedale needs Liberal transport, environmental and housing policies. Above all, my aim is to listen and keep in touch – to be a good local councillor.”

Greg White (Conservative) lives in Lastingham and works for John Smith’s and Theakstons. Particularly interested in crime and education, Greg has combined study of law and order with experience as a police officer and as a member of the North Yorkshire Probation Service Board. His is both a school governor and a voluntary youth leader.

Dales
Charles Scott (Conservative) has represented the Dales Ward for 16 years and has lobbied for funding for village halls, Ryedale Folk Museum and the Rosedale sewage system. A past chairman of the council, Charles has chaired the planning committee for the last four years. He will try to ensure that council tax is kept to a minimum.

Nelly Trevelyan (Liberal) is a new candidate – an organic farmer, artist and active member of Amnesty International. “I want local, rural people to be heard. As well as Liberal policies, I support local food for organisations, eg school dinners. A flourishing young population able to live and work need nourishing for the future.”

Derwent
David Clarkson (Conservative) retired as a police chief superintendent in 1993 after 36 years service. He was at the forefront of the Barry Prudom enquiry. In 1987, he was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal. Retirement has seen him involved in the family business. Is a member of Huttons Ambo Parish Council.

Brian Cottam (Conservative) elected in 1999, is vice-chairman of Ryedale District Council, and of Yorkshire Housing, and chairman of governors at Langton School. He is on the county council area committee and is a board member of Ryedale Housing Association. Brian would like to see council services improve by sound judgements rather than raising taxes.

Ronald King (Lib Dem): “I have lived all my life in either Leavening or Burythorpe. If elected, I will do my utmost to represent the interests of the villages of this Derwent ward. We need to preserve our rural way of life with better transport, and maintain local post offices, shops, halls and schools.”

Helmsley
Richard Murray-Wells (Conservative) is standing for the first time for local government. A chartered surveyor, he comes from a well-known Ryedale family and has expertise on farm and land management. Concerned that rural areas are not getting a ‘fair deal’, Richard is committed to fighting for more autonomy in local government.

Chris Parkin (Conservative) is seeking a further term of office. A small business owner, he has worked on tourism and small business issues whilst serving for the Helmsley Ward on Ryedale District Council. He is currently following the regional assembly for Yorkshire debate from a ‘rural issue’ perspective.

Edward (Tot) Wardle BEM (Independent): “I have lived and worked in the Helmsley district as a contractor and postman working from Helmsley post office. I served as councillor for Helmsley ward from 1995 to 1999 on various committees. I’ve been a working man all my life trying the help others.”

Hovingham
David Fearnhead (Labour) is seeking election for first time. “I believe in publicly-owned services; post offices should be kept open and the Post Office funded properly. Affordable housing should be built for the less well-off in country areas. Village life should not be the preserve of the middle and upper classes.”

Robert Wainwright (Independent) Main priorities:
- To encourage the council to increase efficiency by working in partnerships
- Assist the interests and expand the facilities for young people in Ryedale and ensure more low-cost housing on new developments for local people
- Place greater emphasis on recycling
- Ensure a buoyant tourism policy.

Kirkbymoorside
Val Arnold (Conservative) Very involved in helping young people, Val is a school governor and assistant district scout commissioner. She has become a committee member of the National Trust. Val was elected as county councillor for Kirkbymoorside and Helmsley in 2001. Val’s aim is to ensure good local services for the people of Kirkbymoorside.

Sue Balf (Labour) is seeking election for the first time. “My particular interests are rural transport – I would work hard to promote better local public transport – employment opportunities and housing for our young people, and good services for the elderly. Areas like Kirkbymoorside, Wombleton and Welburn need good services to encourage our young people to stay.”

David Cussons (Conservative) During David’s eight years on Ryedale District Council, his prime objective has been to keep council tax as low as possible. David was chairman of the council in 2000/2001, during which time the area was badly affected by floods.

David worked tirelessly to assist and help those residents affected.

Gary Hobbs (Labour) is standing for re-election. “In the Kirkbymoorside ward, I will encourage further development of our community office, campaign for a skate park for young people, and improve grass cutting. I will campaign that the money and effort going into reviving Malton is spread across Ryedale’s other market towns, and soon!”

Malton
Paul Andrews (Lib Dem) Seeking election for the first time.

Lindsay Burr (Lib Dem) “I have proudly represented the Malton district for the past eight years, becoming vice chairman of the Leisure and Marketing and Central Area Planning. I am a working mum with a successful business, working mainly with young people. There is still much to be done in Malton. The Community needs more investment and the traffic problems must be addressed”.

Martin Dales (Conservative) has been a member of Malton Town Council and Mayor of Malton twice. He is deputy chairman of governors at Amotherby School. He is a member of the Environment Agency liaison group and secretary to Ryedale Cameras in Action.

Martin is looking forward to continuing to serve.

Anne Edwards (Conservative) ran a printing business for 30 years and lives in Norton. She has been chairman of the Malton & Ryedale branch of the Yorkshire Countrywomen’s Association for the last four years and was treasurer for six years. Worked for the Conservative Party since the 1950s and is particularly interested in rural matters.

Pat Moore (Conservative) is a governor of Malton School. She raises funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care and is a member of the WRVS and the board of Malton Museum. Pat will work hard to retain those things that make Malton the unique town that it is, while seeking to promote better services.

Stephen Preston (Lib Dem) “Born at Westow Croft, I have lived here all my life. Engineering is my trade, and I work at Flamingo Land. I am a qualified youth leader. I was co-opted onto Malton Town Council last year. I have good organisational skills, and I will fight for the things in which I believe.”

Norton East
Ann Beaumont (Labour) is seeking election for first time. “Ryedale Council needs change. Labour offers a fresh alternative to the ways things have been done in the past. My hope is therefore that I will be elected alongside other Labour colleagues so that we can work together to meet the challenges facing Ryedale in the 21st century.”

Steve Langton (Labour) is seeking election for first time. “My main objective would be to work with the officers of Ryedale District Council to improve its services to the public. While the council does some excellent work, there are areas where improvement is needed, as highlighted by the Audit Commission’s recent critical report on its planning department.”

Stephen Shaw (Conservative) As district councillor for Norton, Stephen has seen through changes after the floods and worked to keep vitality in the retail sector. He firmly believes a free parking scheme would help local shops. Stephen feels Government increasingly tells us how to run our lives and that councillors have to be prepared to question the ‘system’.

Elizabeth Shields (Lib Dem) “It is my privilege and pleasure to represent Norton on Ryedale District Council. My chief concern is for the effective delivery of services which affect everyone, safety from crime, recreational facilities, waste collection and affordable housing for local people for rent or purchase. If re-elected, I undertake to promote all these aims.”

Norton West
Stuart Collins (Lib Dem) “At 26, I believe I represent the view of many younger people in Ryedale.

My reason for standing is to urge the council to provide an up-to-date sports hall and running track in Norton/Malton. I earnestly seek your support in Norton West if you agree with me.

Allin Jenkins (Independent) “I believe councillors should live in the ward they represent. Party politics should not influence decisions made on local issues. I seek to improve and maintain quality of life by developing services and facilities but keeping a responsible attitude to financial implications. I would continue working to bring outside funding into the area.”

James Urquhart (Labour) is seeking election for first time. “I am interested in training opportunities for young people and I am involved with several local bodies looking at housing, transport and welfare issues. I am committed to improving the quality of life for all residents of Norton and will work hard to ensure that their interests are represented.”

Pickering East
Arthur Aslett (Lib Dem) A former chairman of Ryedale District Council on which he has served for 12 years, Arthur Aslett has also had the honour of being mayor of Pickering.

He is particularly interested in how council finances are managed. Particularly proud that Ryedale has not increased its rate this year.

Judy Dixon (Labour) is seeking election for first time. “Individuals can make a difference and especially when working as a team. I found this on Pickering Town Council and in community groups. I wish to work like this on Ryedale, improving public transport, providing homes for young people and acquiring a public open space for Pickering.”

Angela Huggan (Conservative) “Pickering is a thriving community and I would welcome the chance of working for this town. My experience of working with young families and the elderly puts me in the position of being able to look at issues from a variety of perspectives. Since retiring, I have time to devote to the community.”

Jill Murkett (Labour) is seeking election for the first time. “I would like to enhance public open spaces. I am keen to encourage economic development of market towns by concentrating on attractiveness to residents, visitors and businesses.

I would like to see better facilities for children and young people. Jobs and affordable housing are needed.”

Joan Taylor (Independent) “While Ryedale promotes tourism we must not lose sight of the fact that Pickering residents live here for 52 weeks of the year. Those are the people councillors are elected to help and serve.”

Pickering West
Linda Cowling (Conservative) “A district councillor for 12 years, my main interests are planning and housing. We need to address the problem of affordable housing for local people. In my opinion, leisure facilities are not maintained to an adequate standard and one of my aims will be to see these are upgraded and maintained to a first-class standard.”

Krystina Meinardi (Lib Dem) Formerly a singer, Krystina teaches Italian, music and vocal studies. She founded the Ryedale Youth Choir and directs Pickering Medieval Choir. She has been a memorial hall trustee and a school governor. Her experience as a special constable, in the tourism industry and community arts equip her well for serving Pickering.

Natalie Warriner (Independent) “I have lived in Pickering for 35 years.

I am involved with lots of organisations in the town both with the young and the elderly, and will continue to do that whether I am elected or not.”

Rillington
Brian Maud (Independent) “As an Independent candidate I am working for a cleaner, safer environmentally friendly Ryedale, with affordable housing and transport, to add to the quality of life we all enjoy with the resources available.”

Jim Robinson (Conservative) Jim has spent his working life in agriculture, working in various management positions with major international companies. Previously a district councillor, he believes the experience gained will help enormously when supporting Rillington.

He fully supports the provision of a bypass around Rillington to provide a safe road to the coast.

Ryedale South West
Allison Kerrison (Lib Dem) lives in Sand Hutton, snd is married with two children, Hazel, 15 and Daniel, nine, both of whom are educated at local schools. She is just finishing a Post Graduate teaching course. She now feels able to put herself forward again to serve the community as a councillor.

Served as parish councillor for two years before deciding that her career development as a teacher needed her full concentration.

Keith Knaggs (Conservative) “I am standing for re-election to protect the countryside, keep taxes and unproductive administration down, and to provide a local and personal service to a ward which runs from Warthill to Crambe and Whitwell. The priorities of my ward come first not those of government or political party.”

Sherburn
John Raper (Conservative) On Ryedale District Council, John is serving on the scrutiny and planning committees. He is the representative on the Community Health Council. John believes that local medical units need to be kept ‘local’. He would like to see housing association applications give preference to local applicants before ‘outsiders’.

Percy Spaven (Lib Dem) was born in Yedingham, has lived all his life on the family farm at East Heslerton. He has three grown-up daughters and now lives with his partner, Anne, and a young son and daughter. He has farmed since the early sixties and has twice been County Chairman of the NFU. He has been involved in the community as a parish councillor for years and has been the Chairman of the Police Consultative Group for East Rural Malton for two years. He believes strongly in community participation with the local police to ensure that this area remains ‘a low crime area’.

Sheriff Hutton
James Cleary (Conservative) James has been an auctioneer and now runs a company building housing. Wants to be a councillor because he believes he can be this community’s voice in the council. Inntends to say what is right and to do what is necessary on issues such as crime, sustainable agriculture and tourism.

Alan Farnaby (Independent) “I strongly believe party politics should not come into decision-making at district level. There should be a fairer local taxation system, and help given to the local economy by supporting agriculture, business, tourism and rural transport schemes. It is also essential young people are encouraged to stay in the area.”

Sinnington
Adrian Bishop (Lib Dem) “Most of my working life has been spent in local government and with voluntary organisations as a senior manager, giving me insights into the needs of people in rural areas. I live in Sinnington, am a member of the PCC and a trustee of the Heworth Moor Trust in York. I belong to the Campaign for the Preservation of Rural England and the National Trust. Having lived in rural communities for most of my life I know that people in those areas should decide what sorts of services they need. My two top priorities are transport and housing.”

Phil Huntington (Conservative) Worked for 30 years in the police, retiring as a senior CID officer in 1995.

Holds strong views and believes in retaining rural way of life. If elected, Phillip will offer a willingness for hard work, have strong principles and give sound considered judgement as a council member.

Thornton-le-Dale
Wilf Garbutt (Independent) “As the Independent candidate for both the district and parish councils I endeavour to use my local knowledge of our community to help meet their needs and aspirations.”

Ron Haigh (Conservative) “I support maintaining a rural way of life while encouraging tourism.

I will work with local partnership groups in identifying issues. Some that have already been identified are policing, anti-social behaviour, Malton Hospital, roads and footpaths and dog fouling – and here I speak as a responsible dog owner!”

Helen Schroeder (Lib Dem) “I have represented Ebberston for eight years. The rural economy, affordable housing, sensitive planning, sustainable rural transport and the conservation and protection of the environment are all vital to the well-being of our communities, and the district council can make a difference. If elected again, these will be my priorities.”