Here’s the candidate profile for Simon Bell, 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.
- Candidate Name: Simon Bell
- Party: Conservative Party
- Election: Stone Town Council / Stafford Borough Council
- Ward: St. Michael’s / St. Michael’s and Stonefield
Core Candidate Questions
- 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?
My family and I have lived in Stone Walton and Aston area like many other Councillors and candidates. Living for over 32 years – Stone is home.
My motivation is to support and deliver for the wider Stone community.
- Are you involved in any Stone-based charities, schools, groups, sports clubs, etc.? If so, in what capacity?
I have been involved in many local and national charities including SAAFA support to Armed Forces Veterans, Armed Forces Veterans Hub with Stone, Royal British Legion.
Recent sponsor to Old Alleynians FC.
Prostate Cancer support to local residents.
Down Our High Street – free videos to over 60+ businesses during COVID 19 and since.
Personally, raised over £8,500 for Christies Cancer hospital with 157 at once press-ups every day for 18 months.
Currently an active founder member working on a fantastic project Stone Youth Club to support and develop our young Stoke youth.
Armed Forces Cadets and Reserves both locally and nationally.
- If elected, what will you, as a councillor, bring to the council?
A collegiate approach to agreeing priorities, business expertise, marketing support, commercial knowledge, local network of contact within Stone and in Staffordshire.
I will make decisions on what is financially viable for Stone residents, manage budgets with a focus on outputs and value for Council Tax payers money.
My 3 years of knowledge with working with many of the Traders in Stone and how we can support them, they are the experts in commerce and selling their product or service offer, we are there to guide and deliver for them.
The ability to make decisions with facts and information so that delays to projects that can lead to inflationary additional costs are kept to a minimum.
- 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?
My knowledge of many countries both being bought up and travelling internationally on business has given me a unique knowledge of many cultures and as a Jew I am proud of my ethnicity and others.
I welcome and appreciate a variety of views with differing opinions. I am good at listening.
Many people have said that I am a brilliant communicator, that is very much for them to decide.
I would want to hold regular meeting and will be available on social median and direct face to face discussions.
- What do you think are the three most important issues facing the Stone community, and how do you plan to address them?
Garnering Expertise & Working as a Team – Too many people in the past 4-6 years have promised much and failed to deliver on some of the simplest projects and we see no social media activity to the Stone residents. You deliver brilliant innovation with inclusivity and outside expertise.
Lost Its Voice – Stone has lost its voice in the community and across the Borough, you get projects and investments done working with other groups, parties and experts. Continual criticism will see people switch off and Stone becomes an island.
The High Street – Like every High Street in England customer behaviours are changing and we must support our Town traders and garner their expertise and knowledge. We must support outside groups to deliver a “destination visit programme”.
- How do you propose to ensure that the local economy continues to thrive and support all local businesses?
There are many investment groups from HS2 to National and County wide groups who have funding and ideas to bring to Stone.
Again, we will deliver more if we ask people what they need and how we can help their businesses thrive.
- How do you plan to work with other members of the council to achieve your goals?
As a long serving member of the Armed Forces, I am used to working with a very wide variety of groups with a common and agreed plan. I feel that Stone needs to forget conflict and see what skills people can bring to the Town both at Borough and Town level. I want to see a collegiate approach to working as we are only a very small group of people.
I enjoy asking people their views and broadening my skills and I will bring this to the Teams, whoever they are. All I ask is listen to new and exciting ideas before trashing them, I will do the same.
- How would you balance the needs of different groups and priorities when making budget decisions?
There will never be enough self-driven and Government monies, there will always be a greater need than supply so again a collegiate approach must be delivered. People need to be informed what is being invested in and deliver it within the timescale so that inflation does not bite into capital projects.
- What is your position on local environmental issues, such as climate change, pollution, and waste management?
I was bought up in East Africa and have a natural love for environments, habitats an especially the wide variety of UK birds and I am working with my wife on both Barn Owl and Osprey projects in Staffordshire.
SBC has done a fantastic job and keeping its Council Tax amongst the lowest in the Midlands and this has been done whilst focussing on Net ZERO by 2040.
I am also passionate about teaching and working with very young children, especially with Special Needs, to understand the wonder of nature and Gods animals.
- How will you ensure that your role as a councillor receives the required time and effort to carry it out effectively?
As a leader in both business and the Military I believe in delivery against agrees gaols and timescales. I run a successful property company, have many military groups that I work with, I support the local Stone business with expertise and over 60 free videos to help project their businesses.
BUT delivery and effect are best served as a team and I believe for too long Stone has lacked the dynamic teamwork that can make good plans brilliant.
My time is my own and volunteering is in my DNA.
Candidate-Specific Questions:
- What five words would people who know you use to describe you?
Leader, Enthusiastic, Trustworthy, Deliver, Communicator
- As you’re passionate about local politics and issues, have you ever previously made a public representation to the council about an issue that you think needs addressing? If so, what was the issue, and how did the council handle it?
As part of the Town Conservatives I have contributed to a wide number of concepts ideas to help improve our community over many years.
- How does being affiliated with a national political party benefit you being a councillor at a local level? How do you respond to the criticism that you have to toe a party line and vote in line with your peers?
I don’t toe anyone’s line!
Consensus and discussion can support and solve many issues, remembering that it is the people living in a Council area that are important NOT the Councillors! Ultimately to move forward decisions must be made for the benefit of local folk.
I don’t have to tow any party line, the same as any Independent party or grouping whom I am sure never vote as a block?
The strength of Stone Town and Stafford Borough Councils is that they have a diverse group of volunteers who are ready and happy to serve their community.
I do see potential conflict within any group of likeminded local politicians, whoever they proport to be affiliated with.
Leadership in any organisation is what is important, my view is shaped by listening and asking questions and I then believe that key principles which benefit a community are important. I don’t do National politics I am interested in my community and will work hard to deliver for Stone in both the Borough and Town councils.
One of the key issues is, if there is no strong vision, careful listening, inclusive leadership and delivery, then how are key deliverables for communities to be cost-effectively delivered?
- What’s your pledge to the people of Stone if you’re elected?
I will listen to all groups and ethnicities and deliver based on what is good for Stone and its residents.
I have served my country for over 36 years and been available for soldiers and their families. I care for people and listen to their needs, so vote for me in both Borough and Stone Council elections and let’s get Stone great again.
