We’ve asked the candidates for the Stone constituency for the General Election on 7th May to send us their election pitches, and to answer some specific local questions relating to the town. Click HERE to see all of the candidates’ pitches. Here’s what WENSLIE NAYLON, the Independent candidate, has to say…
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The Green Party and Stone – promoting sustainable prosperity
The priority is to attract investment for job creation across all sectors from farming to processing and manufacturing to retail, health provision, entertainment and tourism.
Development: There has to be balanced development with housing and employment land being brought forward at reasonable rates. Green belt should not go to developers due solely to absence of a Local Development Plans may be the case currently under the National Planning Policy Framework.
Green Party national policy favouring promoting renewable industries could offer investment incentives specifically to renewable energy industries. Our policy is to free up local authorities to raise local taxes these could be used to help small businesses set up in the town.
Public transport improvement is a key Green Party policy. Ditching HS2 could release rail investment in the regions. Stone’s rail station could be upgraded and platforms extended, services increased
Stone is an attractive regional hub. Green Party policy is to promote small business enterprise. Improved bus services across rural areas (our policy) will bring more business to the town’s smaller and specialist shops. Rural broadband rollout is essential for all rural enterprises. I would press for more rapid completion of present proposals
Health services and the future of the health service are important issues for all of us. The Green party is opposed to the creeping privatisation of health services at all levels.Green Party policy is to repeal the Bill which has allowed market based commissioning to creep into the NHS.
Staffordshire has been viewed as a ‘test case’ about getting private firms to bid for services eg Cancer and ‘End of Life’ I support the vigorous campaigns against these contracts which are seen as secretive and putting profit before patient. NHS budget to increase by £12 billion per annum under Greens.
The rural economy is very important to the economic health of Stone.Farming would not benefit if the UK were to leave the European Union. Loss of many support mechanisms would damage the dairy industry undermine wildlife and diversity schemes and probably lead to the collapse of the smaller farms. The Green Party does not support leaving the European Union.
The equestrian sector is a rural employment provider. I would fight for a reduction in speed limit (to 40mph) for all rural roads. The current limit of 60mph is too dangerous for riders.
Why do they use the roads? Miles and miles of all -user access off road tracks were removed from the Rights of Way network by the action of the County Council in the 1970’s when Roads Used as Public Paths(RUPPs) were all downgraded to footpath status hugely disadvantaging riders cyclists and disabled on scooters.
The vast piles (reputed to be in hundreds) of Section 53 claims at the County are unlikely to be resolved before 2026 when all such historic claims will be extinguished nationally. I would fight to have resources given over to restoring these all important lost rights of way in Stone and its rural areas. Thus bringing renewed vigour to the equestrian sector and countryside access for all.
Question Time
1.) Stone is a growing town, with thousands of new homes to be built over the next few years. What needs to be done to make sure the local infrastructure can cope?
The planning system can demand Section 106 agreements with approved planning applications. These agreements are used to improve infrastructure (like roads) and finance school expansion plans Green Party policy is to cancel HS2 and divert investment released into improved services (and capacity) on existing rail provision,with long term plans for taking back rain into private ownership. Bus transport links to Stone’s rural hinterland can and should be improved. Infrastructure improvement at regional level is very much Green Party policy
2.) What needs to be done to improve the town centre economy to attract new businesses and support existing traders?
Stone is an attractive and characterful town . Green Party policy is to free up local authorities to levy local taxes.This could allow for specific local grants and loans to new businesses locating in the town.
3.) What’s the best way to improve leisure facilities in the town?
A starting point is to find out what residents think is lacking in the town.Any such survey should be inclusive of various generations. Attracting investors to provide leisure facilities depends on an integrated approach. It would be essential for development to focus on appropriate areas without threat to the historic character of the town centre
4.) How can visitors be attracted to the town and our tourism offer extended?
Seasonal festivals of locally sourced food, pop up food stalls, outdoor grills with music and canal history linked themes would bring visitors to the town from across the region
5.) How would you seek to boost inward investment?
Rural business demands fast and reliable broadband.The rollout must get to all of Stone’s rural area. as soon as possible., Green Party policy is to review the business rates system that currently fails to favour local economic conditions.
I believe the equestrian sector is significant in creating jobs in the countryside.
I would fight for a reduction in speed limit (to 40mph) for all rural roads. The current limit of 60mph is too dangerous for riders. Why do they use the roads? Miles and miles of all -user access off road tracks were removed from the Rights of Way network by the action of the County Council l in the 1970’s when Roads Used as Public Paths (RUPPs) were all downgraded to footpath status hugely disadvantaging riders cyclists and disabled on scooters. The vast piles (reputed to be in hundreds) of Section 53 claims at the County are unlikely to be resolved before 2026 when all such historic claims will be extinguished nationally.
I would fight to have resources given over to restoring these all important lost rights of way in Stone and its rural areas. Thus bringing renewed vigour to the equine sector and countryside access for all.
6.) What do you see as the main issues facing Stone in 2015 and what do you see as the best way to address them?
It’s important to keep all generations living in, working in and enjoying the town. The priority is to attract investment for job creation across all sectors from farming to food processing, manufacturing to retail, health provision, entertainment and tourism. And the best way to get investors here is to present all the fine aspects of life in Stone within the sustainability framework of Green Party policy.
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