Stone Rural North 2025 candidate profile – Ian Parry (Conservative Party)

As part of our coverage of the upcoming Staffordshire County Council elections, A Little Bit of Stone invited every candidate standing in the Stone area to complete a standard questionnaire. The questions were shaped by feedback gathered through our recent Stone Matters survey, where local residents told us which issues matter most to them.

We asked candidates to focus their answers on the responsibilities of Staffordshire County Council – highways, education, social care, transport, public health and related services. Their responses appear below unedited, exactly as supplied.

Name
Ian Parry

Party
Conservative

Division
Stone Rural North

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Q1: Tell us a bit about yourself. Who are you, and why have you decided to stand for election in the Staffordshire County Council elections?

I have represented the Stone Rural Division for 28 years and offer myself election on 1st May. I am a born and bred  North Staffordshire man and live in the area with my amazing wife (who runs a children and family charity), and our assorted cats!  We feel blessed to have a wonderful family and grandchildren we love. I worked for several manufacturing companies in various management roles. I eventually started my own business, which served national and international industrial customers. 
But I knew that I also wanted to give back to my community and some years ago took the decision to stand as a County Councillor. I wanted to use the knowledge that I’d gained in business and in various volunteering roles, to support my community and play a more active part in improving places and peoples’ lives.
It’s a privilege to be able to help people and communities, and to work in partnership with local parishes and  groups in trying to solve issues and improve the lives of others. This has always been the driving force behind everything I have done and it’s also the reason why I became a county councillor. Importantly, it’s why I want to continue.

Q2: Do you live in the Division?

No

Q3: If not, why have you chosen to stand here?

I  have represented the area for 28 years so I have a strong connection to the area and know it extremely well.  I have always lived locally to the area I represent. But due to a change in circumstances  I have recently been living in another part of the County although I now have firm plans in place to locate back later this year. 

Q4: What relevant experience or background do you bring to the role of County Councillor?

I have extensive local government experience gained from my long-standing involvement in Council and Community-volunteering roles. I have held various senior roles at Staffordshire County Council, including Deputy Leader. I am currently Cabinet Member for Finance. In this role, and as part of a team, we have led the County Council to a position of stable, strong finances, a balanced 4 year budget plan, low levels of debt and strong reserves. Staffordshire is consistently in the bottom three lowest council tax levels among shire counties.  It means that we can invest in improving services rather than making cuts like many other councils. 
Professionally I am a Director in charity-based social purpose consultancy that supports effective governance and scrutiny in the public sector. I also ran my own marketing business for over 15 years, serving several industrial sectors.
I am a previous Chair of Governors at Blythe Bridge High School and a trustee board member of Oak Tree Farm and New Vic Theatre.  

Q5: The County Council has declared a climate emergency and committed to a Net Zero target. What does that commitment mean in practice for local residents and businesses? What will you do to support this goal locally?

It’s really important for the County Council to have a clear Net Zero target and to show leadership in delivering the changes necessary to achieve it. I believe that the Council is on-track and will remain so. It demonstrates that Staffordshire is taking our duties and responsibilities seriously. Locally I have worked with schools, parish councils and community groups on small but important projects aimed at reducing emissions. I will continue to do what I can to help people and communities to ‘act locally’. 

Q6: The Udall Grange estate is nearing completion, and just last month, proposals were announced for a further 500 homes on adjoining land. There has been no mention of improvements to infrastructure, GP capacity or dental services. The County Council is responsible for roads, schools, and medical services, while Stafford Borough Council handles planning. How do you square away this imbalance? What would you do to ensure new developments do not come at the cost of existing residents’ wellbeing?

There are planning requirements to ensure that infrastructure supports appropriate growth. However these are often not well co-ordinated. As a local councillor it’s part of my job to help to get the essential support infrastructure in place and put the necessary pressure of those organisations responsible.  

Q7: The Aston to Burston Trail has been closed for months following the collapse of a footbridge. A drawn‑out process between the landowner and local authority has left this well‑used route in limbo. Do you think the County Council has done enough to uphold public rights of way in our area? What would you do differently?

There has been a lot of misinformation about this issue. I have been closely involved in this since the bridge was damaged. There have been unfortunate delays in getting progress, due to liability and responsibility matters.  There has also been safety and ecology assessments made to reduce any negative impact to wildlife. I have also been instrumental in ensuring funding for the recovery, repair or replacement of the bridge.  Everything is now in place to make positive progress. Contractors are expected to start work in May and I am assured the bridge will reopen before the year end, hopefully sooner. I can assure everyone that I have been pushing this issue constantly.

Q8: What is your stance on the enforcement of Stone High Street as a pedestrianised zone? At times, the Market Square resembles a car park. Should access be more tightly restricted or more flexible, and how should this be enforced?

I totally support enforcement. The current situation is dangerous and is completely disregarding  pedestrian safety.  Warning signage followed by police or council enforcement are potentially the most effective solutions.

Q9: Stone and the surrounding area has lost many of its bus routes in recent years. This leaves many residents, especially older people and those without cars, isolated. What would you do to improve public transport options in the division?

The council does not operate any bus services. Some bus companies receive council subsidies to support critical routes, but funding is never enough and it can make services less efficient. I would really like bus companies to explore more ways to make bus travel attractive for commuters and grow the number of bus users overall and thereby make services more viable for everyone.

Q10: With transport in mind, what is your view on how the County Council should balance road infrastructure investment with active travel options such as walking and cycling?

There has been significant investment in walking and cycling routes and campaigns to encourage more of both. It would be great if we had the levels of cycle use that you find in Holland, Belgium and Germany, and the safe cycle routes too. I am open to ideas on how we make cycling more of a means of getting around rather than mainly a leisure and fitness activity. 

Q11: Speeding and dangerous parking, particularly on roads near local schools, is a common concern. What can be done to improve road safety for children and penalise offenders?

Inconsiderate parking, particularly around schools is an obvious and real danger to children and it’s a problem at almost every school. Many schools have had some success with information, signage and additional supervision, but I support enforcement where persistent offenders fail to respond.

Q12: What is your view on the provision of school places and SEND services in Staffordshire? Are local families being properly supported, and what changes would you advocate for at the County level?

The answer to special educational needs provision is complex. The funding is nationally provided, but it is nowhere near enough and so the council also has to use its own cash to maintain the service. This will soon mean that there is a £70million deficit that could cause serious financial problems. It’s the same, if not worse, across the country. The answer is system reform. The Government must address the way the system works and how it is funded. It’s not fair that children and their families have to struggle to get the right support to meet any additional learning or health needs. I and my colleague councillors are constantly lobbying government on this issue.

Q13: Devolution is coming down the tracks, with the creation of new combined authorities. What are your views on this shift, and how can we ensure towns like Stone are properly represented in a larger unitary structure?

The government proposals were a surprise and feel rushed. I am personally determined to ensure that Stoke City Council does not make a grab for the areas of the Borough north of Stone . Its early days in terms of understanding which option the Government will support, but as a local Stone Rural North candidate I will very much fight our corner to ensure that the area is properly represented.

Q14: What is one issue in the division that you believe does not get enough attention at County Council level, and what would you do about it within the remit of the role?

The area is well served by the County and I will ensure that it continues to be.

Q15: Finally, why should residents vote for you on 1st May?

I believe that I am the experienced and proven candidate, with a track record of delivery and service to residents.

My future aims include:

• Being your advocate and advisor when you have a problem with public services
• Demand more action from police to tackle domestic violence and improve safety for women
         and girls
• Demand proper policing of such crimes as shop-thefts and threats to shop workers
• Tackling damaged pavements where they cause safety and access problems – its long overdue
        so I want to make this a priority
• Ensure that the coming changes to local government are right for local residents
• Keep on-top of potholes and local flooding problems – we’ve already increased capacity to
        empty gullies, fix defects and investigate and repair flooding problems – but it remains a
        priority

 
I appreciate that making the decision on choosing who to represent you at the County Council isn’t easy, but I have always felt privileged to represent the Stone Rural Division and would like to continue to be the voice of the community for the new Stone Rural North Division.

 I assure you that with your support I will promise:

– Commitment – working hard for you and our community
– Honesty – I will explain what is possible and what I can realistically deliver
– Fairness – I will do my best for everyone and ensure inclusivity in all that I do
– Access and availability – I will always respond and try to help