Jim Davies – Independent Stone Rural County Council Candidate

Below is the candidate profile for Jim Davies, an independent candidate for the Staffordshire County Council Stone Rural seat.

This profile has been added to our Candidate Profiles page on our 2021 election hub – click here to see more candidate profiles.

Answers to the questions aren’t edited, other than for formating, and are therefore the candidates own words.

In your own words tell our readers about yourself

I was born and brought up in South London and commissioned into the RAF in 1969.  I’ve been married to Lin since 1981 and I have 2 step-sons and three grandchildren.  We moved to Stone in 1992 when I was posted to RAF Stafford.  I completed 27 years’ service in the RAF in 1997 and subsequently worked for the Director of Education in the then newly-created unitary authority of Stoke-on-Trent.   I then spent a further 6 years as a senior manager in the world of commercial logistics after which I ran my own award-winning service consultancy and training business.

I supported Lin when she was first elected to Stone Town Council in 2000 and to Stafford Borough Council in 2003.  That was when I saw how the local branch of a national political party gave priority to internal party discipline and obedience to Stafford Borough rather than the real needs of the Town.  I concluded that the people of the Stone area deserved a better, constructive and non-partisan option in our local politics.

I was first elected to Stone Town Council in 2015 and I was later co-opted on to Hilderstone Parish Council.  In 2019 I was re-elected to both councils.  I’ve served 2 consecutive terms as Stone Town Mayor and have been responsible for a number of initiatives including the concept of the exciting Crown Wharf project which is nearing completion in Stone, and launching the Stone Area Parish Liaison Group which brings together the town and its surrounding parishes.

What’s your personal statement about why you’re standing and what you want to achieve over the term if elected?

I have benefited from a wide experience of the world at large, of local government at all levels and of central government.  In particular I’ve achieved great success in helping major service providers improve the delivery of their services to their customers – driving up quality while driving down costs.  I want to achieve the same regarding the County Council’s vital services.

How does standing as a political party candidate affect serving local people on local issues?

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I believe that standing as a candidate for a national political party can be unhelpful towards serving local people on local issues.  Such party candidates have to conform to their party ‘whip’, and are often people with a ‘political career’ in mind which can take precedence over their duty to the people as an elected councillor.  Moreover, party labels do not always guarantee talent.

Do you live in the area you’re standing for, if not what’s your link to Stone and your reason for standing in this area and not your own?

I live in Hilderstone, one of the parishes comprising the Stone Rural Division.  I already work closely with the current Stone Urban county councillor and, if we’re both elected, we will continue our work together for the benefit of both Stone Town and the whole Stone area.

What’s been your history as a political councillor?

Six years as an elected member (Independent) of Stone Town Council and 3 years as an elected member (Independent) of Hilderstone Parish Council

Apart from family commitments what other commitments do you have on your time? This could be work, business, voluntary or community roles – if these are linked to organisations in Stone then please mention it.

• Long-time member of the British Computer Society (MBCS)
• Chairman of the Planning Consultative Committee, Stone Town Council
• Chairman of the Management Sub-Committee, Stone Town Council
• Member of the Tourism and Town Promotion Sub-Committee, Stone Town Council
• President, No 2352 (Stone) Squadron Air Cadets
• Chairman, Royal Air Forces Association (Stone & District Branch)
• Chairman, Stone Scout & Guide Band
• Active member of: St Saviour’s church (Aston), Stone Choral Society, Cantiamo Chamber Choir

What are the top 5 issues that you think affect the residents of Stone currently have?

1. Recovery from Covid-19 – especially businesses, schools and health.
2. Highways and road safety – such as the removal of the ‘splitter’ island in Christchurch Way, Stone, and speedier and lasting pothole repairs.
3. Transport – matching needs with solutions; buses are not always the best answer.
4. HS2 – mitigating its unwelcome impacts.
5. Crime – and the fear of crime.

How will you keep in touch with your constituents’ concerns?

Being readily available via ‘phone and email, and attending as many parish council meetings as I can.