Ian Fordham – Stone Independents Candidate for Stone Town Council and Stafford Borough Independents Candidate for Stafford Borough Council

Here’s the candidate profile for Ian Fordham, who is standing in the May 2023 elections. All candidates were asked ten core questions; then, there were specific questions depending on whether candidates were existing councillors or not.

All answers appear unedited, apart from maybe tweaks to formatting, as sent through by the candidates.

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• Candidate Name: Ian Fordham
• Party: Stone Independents / Stafford Borough Independents
• Election: Stone Town Council / Stafford Borough Council
• Ward: Stonefield & Christchurch / St. Michael’s and Stonefield

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Core Candidate Questions

1. Do you live in Stone and within the ward(s) you’re standing in? If not, what is your motivation for standing in Stone and not your own ward?

Yes to both questions.

2. Are you involved in any Stone-based charities, schools, groups, sports clubs, etc.? If so, in what capacity?

I am Chair of Trustees of a local Charity, Co-Chair of a local Residents Association and a charity volunteer.

3. If elected, what will you, as a councillor, bring to the council?

Commitment, hard work and the desire to make a difference and improve the lives of our residents.

4. How do you plan to engage with and represent the interests of all members of the Stone community, including those from diverse backgrounds or with differing opinions?

I am always open to approaches from residents irrespective of their background and have always helped them address their issues/problems by signposting them to those that can best help or interceding with authorities on their behalf. This takes a good deal of my time and I will continue to do this if re-elected.

5. What do you think are the three most important issues facing the Stone community, and how do you plan to address them?

1. Crime & anti-social behaviour ranks more highly with residents now that the pandemic seems behind us. I am Chair of the local Police Liaison Group recently established to improve information sharing and feedback between police, residents associations and councillors and this is bringing more focus to these issues.

2. Unauthorised High Street traffic is also a safety issues and talks are under way with Police and local authorities to better control this.

3. There has been significant recent investment in the Town and this is poised to pay dividends – but we must continue this, despite central government funding cutbacks by access to available grants for business, etc.

6. How do you propose to ensure that the local economy continues to thrive and support all local businesses?

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In part by continuing to support local markets, festivals and events run by councils and local businesses. In part by helping access grant funding as available. In part by improving promotion of our Town and what it offers both residents and visitors.

7. How do you plan to work with other members of the council to achieve your goals?

There is always discussion and debate amongst councillors to help arrive at sound decisions. Sometimes formally through cross party committee meetings and working groups and often informally to share ideas. This will continue.

8. How would you balance the needs of different groups and priorities when making budget decisions?

Look at agreed objectives and stated needs and prioritise through discussion. There will not always be agreement when resource is finite and demand larger than the resource – but discussions have to be transparent.

9. What is your position on local environmental issues, such as climate change, pollution, and waste management?

The environment is very important and these issues are all key. The council(s) must do what is within their remit (and much has been done and is being done within those remits), they can also encourage residents to do the same. Ultimately Central Government needs to make some big decisions as they have most authority.

10. How will you ensure that your role as a councillor receives the required time and effort to carry it out effectively?

I am fortunate to have retired and therefore have time available. I regularly spend 20-30 hours per week on my Council work: 1/3 supporting residents, 1/3 on each of my specific Town and Borough roles. This will continue if re-elected.

Candidate-Specific Questions:

1. What five words would people who know you use to describe you?

I do not know but I hope that I would be acknowledged as: approachable, listening, honest, committed and resilient.

2. As an already elected council member, what three things you are most proud of from your most recent term in office?

1. The Stone Neighbourhood Plan, put together by councillors and residents, against political opposition, is now ratified and will do much to control new development and protect Stone from loss of its green spaces.

2. The Crown Wharf regeneration – again against political opposition – gives Stone a theatre/cinema and a heritage centre both due to open shortly and will boost visitor numbers and help the local economy.

3. Confirmation of the redevelopment of Westbridge Park, now accepted by the Sec of State, and to include play areas, riverside walks and picnic areas. Borough Independent Councillors have been involved in supporting and voting in support of the development, discussing, influencing and reviewing progress in committee – and have been represented on the Board overseeing the development.

3. Can you give an example of something that in hindsight you’d wish you’d tackled differently in the most recent term? What lessons did you learn from the experience?

I am immensely frustrated by the granting by the Local Planning Authority of planning permission for the distribution centre on the A34/A51 road island. A decision made by the LPA Planning Committee largely on economic grounds that was in my opinion, highly regrettable. This was not a decision made by the Town Council (a consultee rather than decision maker) – but I wish we had not been reassured by the planning officers’ comments as to its size and visual impact as we could have made our reservations clear. The lesson: if in doubt, pursue more vigorously.

4. How can candidates be classed as “independent” when they are all united as a group under a single political banner? How is this different from voting in line with a national political party?

I was one of the founders of the Independent Groupings because I firmly believe that, at local level, decisions must be taken on their merit dependent on local considerations and not based on and decided by national party policies passed down from Westminster. I have seen how councillors representing national parties are ‘whipped’ to vote as their party demands and do not see this as the best way to represent local residents. I have also seen councillors representing a national party vote one way on an issue in Town Council and the opposite way in the same issue at Borough level. All because of whipping the vote. The Independents do not share or discuss national issues. We discuss and debate the local issues based on their merits. All views are heard. We often reach an consensus having heard all arguments. Sometimes not. There is no whipping. We vote as we each wish. I think this approach has gained credibility locally and residents accept that we care about Stone. Because of this we have been able to field full compliments of candidates at the last 2 elections (since we were formed). As anyone can see from the candidates list, the national parties clearly cannot do so – or perhaps do not wish to.

5. What’s your pledge to the people of Stone if you’re elected?

To continue to work hard. To represent residents without fear or favour, and to rise above national party politics.