Here’s the candidate profile for Kerry Dawson, 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: Kerry Dawson
- Party: Stone Independents / Stafford Borough Independents
- Election: Stone Town Council / Stafford Borough Council
- Ward: Walton North / Swynnerton & Oulton
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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?
Town – yes, I live in Walton North.
Borough – the ward boundary runs along my back garden and I have several links with the various villages within the Swynnerton & Oulton Ward through friends, family and Scouting.
2. Are you involved in any Stone-based charities, schools, groups, sports clubs, etc.? If so, in what capacity?
• Bandmaster of Stone Scout & Guide Band
• Group Scout Leader at 1st Stone Scouts
• Co-Founder, Stone Parent & Child Groups Facebook group
3. If elected, what will you, as a councillor, bring to the council?
Four years’ experience as a Town Councillor and a desire to represent younger generations to ensure that their voices are heard.
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 pride myself on being approachable and my many years in Scouting have given me essential skills for engaging with the public. I value different opinions and am always interested to hear other points of view – it’s what keeps things interesting!
5. What do you think are the three most important issues facing the Stone community, and how do you plan to address them?
Walton North – There are several issues, including speeding and accessibility, but I believe the following to be the three main issues facing our Ward:
• Community – Stone has a strong sense of community and I want to continue to encourage this, particularly in Walton, by bringing residents together and promoting strong links with the rest of the town.
• Access to health services – Work closely with my colleagues at all levels of Local Government to put pressure on decision makers with the aim of improving access to health services across the town, but especially within Walton, where infrastructure is sorely lacking despite the increased housing provision.
• Crime and anti-social behaviour – Work closely with my colleagues at all levels of Local Government, as well as the Police and other enforcement agencies.Swynnerton & Oulton – I have met with several residents across the Ward, and it is abundantly clear that each settlement is completely unique, with its own issues and priorities. However, the common issue that was highlighted, and that will affect a huge majority of residents in the Ward, is HS2. I support the research and proposals put forward by the Stone Railhead Crisis Group in relation to an alternative railhead site at Aldersey’s Rough and their Phase 1+ strategy, and by residents of Hanchurch regarding changes to the road network.
6. How do you propose to ensure that the local economy continues to thrive and support all local businesses?
I will continue to support events arranged by the Town Council and High Street businesses, although the local economy also encompasses business in Walton and the surrounding settlements. I will do my utmost to promote businesses and events where it is within my power to do so.
7. How do you plan to work with other members of the council to achieve your goals?
I often speak to my colleagues outside of council meetings regarding potential new strategies for the town. I have also been involved in various committees during my time on the Council and consider my working relationships with other Councillors to be effective.
8. How would you balance the needs of different groups and priorities when making budget decisions?
I believe that all discussions should be open and informed, whether that takes the form of debates within council meetings or informal discussions with my colleagues and residents.
9. What is your position on local environmental issues, such as climate change, pollution, and waste management?
I believe that Councillors should lead the community in environmental issues, and this was exactly my position in my early days of the Council when we agreed to support Staffordshire County Council and Stafford Borough Council in working towards carbon neutrality at all levels of Local Government. I also believe that the Town Council is responsible for monitoring environmental issues in Stone, including pollution and waste management, and lobbying the appropriate organisations when failures have taken place.
10. How will you ensure that your role as a councillor receives the required time and effort to carry it out effectively?
I will work to prioritise issues raised by residents utilising skills I’ve picked up through my experience in my voluntary and employed roles, setting aside time each week to deal with communications and address urgent issues as they arise.
Candidate-Specific Questions:
1. What five words would people who know you use to describe you?
Trustworthy, reliable, fair, consistent, and honest.
2. As an already elected council member, what three things you are most proud of from your most recent term in office?
• The decisions we made regarding the Crown Wharf theatre and Heritage Centre.
• Being given the honour of Deputy Mayor for the 2021/22 year. I had the most amazing time and met so many incredible people.
• My proposal for a Youth Advisor scheme on the Town Council.
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 wish I’d been more tenacious with regard to my proposal for Youth Advisors, and more persistent with my initial enquiries regarding potential youth provision in the town. In general, I’ve learned to be more assertive. My time on the Council has given me valuable experience in making sure my voice, and that of younger generations, is heard.
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 am not political, I just want to improve our Town for everyone. I don’t believe I could have done this under the banner of a national political party as I would be influenced to vote in line with party wishes. I also would never have stood for election on my own. I believe that being part of Stone Independents has given me access to valuable insight and knowledge from more experienced Councillors, as well as a wealth of support, whilst still allowing me to vote in line with my own values and beliefs. Of course, this can prove difficult on occasions, particularly at budget-setting! I think the success of this approach is evident in the number of candidates standing for this election, both for the Town Council and for the Borough Council.
5. What’s your pledge to the people of Stone if you’re elected?
I will continue to act with honesty and integrity to ensure that decisions are made in the best interests of the Town and all its residents. I will also continue to champion the inclusion of young people in local councils whilst taking families’ views into account.
