RIPPLE

ANNE BURGE (GREEN)

JEREMY OWENSON (CONSERVATIVE)

Jeremy has been the district councillor for Ripple for the last four years. Jeremy is passionate about supporting people who are less able to represent themselves. He has stood up to big companies playing fast and loose with planning rules, and successfully forced the council to defend and win appeals all the way to the High Court.

He is working to modernise the council, with more electronic communication and media, making sure that younger people get access in the way they want, whilst ensuring that older residents still get a traditional service. He is passionate about tourism, protecting our beautiful environment, and working to ensure our towns like Upton thrive.

UPTON AND HANLEY

MARTIN ALLEN (GREEN)

As a Falkland’s War veteran and successful business man I am committed to fighting for our local communities. We all should have a greater say regarding how our lives are run.

I am fed up with the build, build mentality that government and our district council seem to adopt. Where is the infrastructure for all these new houses? Where is the planning? Where is the forethought?

My two small grandchildren, like your children and grandchildren deserve a future, a chance to grow, a chance to live. I am determined to give all of them their chance.

By voting for me, you will get someone who is hardworking and believes in hard work paying off. Who wants our community to thrive, to succeed, to be safe from those who would spoil it through crime or gross over development. It’s time to shake the money tree.

DEBBIE COLLINGS (CONSERVATIVE)

I have previously been a councillor and I know that I can hit the ground running and deliver fast for Upton and our villages.

This is a fabulous area to live in, and I want to make sure that the countryside is protected from unnecessary development, and our businesses supported, to ensure that our area not only survives, but thrives.

ROBERT EMMERSON (LIBERAL DEMOCRATS)

I’ve lived and worked in Worcestershire and the wider West Midlands for the past twenty years as a civil engineer. Having qualified as a chartered civil engineer, I have worked across the UK from Cornwall to Cheshire, working with local authorities and private contractors to deliver major infrastructure projects. I am currently working with Amy Consulting.

I built my own family home locally and believe Councils could and should help to encourage and promote self- building in the county to help younger families in particular for whom the term ”affordable” still means out-of-reach.

I was born and have lived my whole life in England, but strongly consider myself a European, believing we have much to learn from Europe and to gain from closer collaborations with our European neighbours

I am married with four children. In my spare time I tinker with bikes and keep pretty fit. I have run a couple of marathons and several half marathons for charity, raising considerable sums for cancer and dementia charities.

DOUG GUEST (UKIP)

I am a local businessman and family man and have lived and worked in the Upton area since 1987. I joined UKIP in 2011 having previously been apolitical.

I joined UKIP as I was fed up with the ever increasing interference in our laws and way of life from the unelected bureaucracy of the EU. I am now disgusted at the behaviour of our government and parliament.

Let’s not forget that the only regions to vote remain were London, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

In the referendum almost 8 per cent more people voted to leave than to remain, in the biggest vote in history, yet this shower of career politicians have the temerity and nerve to think they know best.

I have put my name forward to remind everyone UKIP are still here and fighting for democracy.

ANDREA MORGAN (CONSERVATIVE)

I have been proud to represent Upton and the Hanley’s for the last four years.

I love our town and the people of our town, and I will continue to make sure that our area gets the right level of support from the district council. Upton in particular has seen a lot of disruption over the last couple of years with roadworks, including the raising of the A4104. Now we are getting a roundabout at the Bluebell Farm junction, I will make sure that the businesses in Upton are supported by the district council as further disruption is likely.

Now we need to start lobbying for more flood alleviation plans to enable the raising of the Hanley Road.

Together, Debbie Collings and I will be a strong team for Upton and the Hanley’s.

WELLS

JILL CAMPBELL (CONSERVATIVE)

I have represented the Wells since 2007 and my key priority is to protect the ward from major development. I have passionately opposed unsympathetic and indiscriminate applications and as your Councillor, I will continue to do so. I consider it a privilege to live in such a wonderful part of the district and I care deeply about its environmental biodiversity. I have been a long-standing member on the council’s overview and scrutiny committee, ensuring that it operates in the best interest of the public irrespective of party politics and I am keen to continue in this important role.

MARK DYDE (INDEPENDENT)

JOHN GALLAGHER (INDEPENDENT)

I have lived in Upper Welland for 35 years and worked as a scientist at the RSRE and QinetiQ. As part of the Independent group of councillors, the second largest group on Malvern Hills Council, I believe I can do better for you by ensuring that our arms are not twisted by any political party. Too often, local councillors who belong to a political party must do what the national party tells them, or they risk being reprimanded for speaking out. Being independent means that political party leaders – with Westminster agendas very different from yours – cannot force us to vote as they dictate.

I believe that party politics has no place in our local council I am of the strong view that we are better served by independent voices rather than by central party diktat. We want to improve the running of the Council for the whole community, to preserve and enhance the environment for the health and benefit of us all.

RONAN MCLAVERTY-HEAD (LIBERAL DEMOCRAT)

I am now a teacher in a Worcester secondary school, specialising in politics and philosophy. I moved around the country as a child, and then for university, before spending some years studying in Austria. I have also moved around for various teaching posts. But I have now lived with my family in Malvern for almost a decade and my children go to local schools.

I am a strong believer in democracy and the need for citizens to exercise informed choice, in women’s rights and in the UK’s role in Europe.

LIZ MILLS (LIBERAL DEMOCRAT)

I was born in Malvern and my first home after marrying was in Malvern Wells where we have many friends and still take a great interest in local life. We have always lived in the Malvern area.

I worked as a nurse and Health visitor in Malvern and Worcester and later worked in Admin at RRE (now QINETIC). As a mature student I gained a social science degree at Worcester.

Now retired, I use many of my work skills by volunteering for three charities: one for the lonely elderly, in Welland as a community liaison volunteer for the Advice Bureau and the third helping ex-armed forces staff who are experiencing difficulties.

I am an active member of the U3A, attend art classes and have an allotment where I keep chickens. A long time goat lover, I still have three pet Harness goats.

I love a challenge and will always be at hand to listen and try to help

CHRIS O’DONNELL (CONSERVATIVE)

I have lived in the Wells for more than 40 years and taught at Wells Primary and the Wyche. I also did the computer training at both schools in the 90s. My six grandchildren have all attended Malvern Wells Primary School and the youngest now goes to the Wyche.

I've been on Wells Parish Council for over 12 years and Welland Parish Council for 5 years. Our computer company has been in the Wells since 1986 and two years ago moved to Spring Lane. I have sorted out the Assarts Road play area and would like to be chairman of the fruit lands play area committee when we obtain the land.

I'm happy to talk to anyone about the work I do and where my ward money was spent.

I have run the tombola stall at the parish fete since it started, and each year go into the schools to talk to the children about the fete as each year the attendance has improved.

In 2017-2018 I had the honour to be chairman of Malvern Hills District Council, it was a wonderful year and I met some inspirational people. As a Conservative I have been proud of the decision we have made, and we have not been asked to follow the party whip. I believe we are all entitled to make up our own minds.

ALISON OLIVER (INDEPENDENT)

The Malvern Hills has been home to my family for 35 years. I understand the needs of rural living. We have two children, and our family is incredibly proud of this beautiful jewel of Worcestershire, its heritage, and its residents.

My working life has given me a wealth of experience, from being International Trade Controls Advisor at QinetiQ, to charity work, and working with the NHS. The skills I have gained in my working life leave me well equipped to represent the people of Malvern Wells.

Residents have reported that they feel unheard. I want to change that – to work with you to ensure our local services are safe. I will continue to speak against cuts for the fire service, transport, NHS services, youth services, homelessness and all that you need. As an Independent candidate I can to do that honestly, with integrity, and without restrictions of a party whip.

DANIEL ROBERTS (LABOUR)

I grew up in Bromyard and moved to Malvern after graduating from the University of Liverpool. I have worked at both local and national government level in Liverpool and London. I am a young person living in a town where opportunities for those leaving school are lower than ever. I am motivated, determined and enthusiastic to see Malvern offer more for our young people and for our wider community.

Since university I began working at Worcester Citizens Advice where I have seen first-hand the destruction this Tory government has caused to so many in our community. We need to invest in our communities, protect the most vulnerable members of our society, and to start acting in the interests of the millions and not the millionaires. In Malvern, we have residents who have been ignored for too long by elected councillors who take your votes for granted. We need change.

MALVERN WEST

JENNIE KELLY (CONSERVATIVE)

I moved to Malvern with my husband some 20 years ago, finally settling in West Malvern. In 2007 to 2011, I was elected one of the local councillors for the ward and during that period I was involved with planning issues for Malvern Vale, the problems surrounding The Lamb pub before its final closure and other local complaints such as bus services and traffic issues.

I was also appointed to the Board of the Malvern Hills Conservators representing Malvern Hills District Council. I believe it is important to maintain local services for the whole community in Malvern.

Parking problems and the availability of bus routes are two factors affecting the ward, as are the constant closure of vital roads due to roadworks, which do not keep to the dates stipulated on the engineering notice boards. If elected I will hope to pursue these and other local issues fully supporting a Conservative led council.

NATALIE MCVEY (GREEN)

I have lived in the Malvern Hills Area since 2015, and previously in the Wyre Forest area where I was the first Green Party general election candidate. In 2017, I was successfully elected to serve as your West ward representative (with John Raine) on Malvern Hills District Council. I also stood in the 2017 General Election as Green candidate for West Worcestershire.

For the past ten years I have worked in Worcestershire County Council's libraries and culture service – latterly as a senior manager with countywide responsibility for developing initiatives in digital innovation, establishing new programmes to improve literacy and learning, encouraging community engagement in the service, and introducing activities to support the health and wellbeing for people of all ages. I also run the county’s annual young poet laureate competition and am the safeguarding lead for the service.

I am a trustee of Malvern Cube Projects, a founding member of ‘Malvern Against Homelessness’ and an active litter squad member. I am passionate about protecting the natural environment and last year successfully championed the abolition of single use plastics within the Council House. I love life and its challenges and I describe myself as an eternal optimist.

BEN MURPHY (LIBERAL DEMOCRAT)

I have lived in Worcestershire for most of my life, went to school around here and now work in the family firm. This takes me all over the world as we provide support at conferences and trade shows to British firms trying to export overseas – a role vital to the British economy.

I have lived with my wife and young family in Malvern for around five years now and am very appreciative of the community as a whole and want to give back to it. So I have been pleased to serve on the parish council in Malvern Wells for over a year now. I have found this so interesting that I would like to serve residents on the district council.

I believe my experience as a businessman and particularly my communication and organisational skills mean I can add value to both the parish and district councils.

JOHN RAINE (GREEN)

I have lived in West Malvern for forty years and feel fortunate to have been able to combine an academic career at the University of Birmingham’s Institute of Local Government Studies with service locally as a councillor. I have been a district councillor for nineteen years and also the county councillor for the local area since 2013. As a result, I have considerable understanding and experience of the role and potential of local government to serve and support local communities effectively.

As a councillor I also serve as a school governor, on the H&W Fire Authority, the Malvern Hills Trust, the Malvern Hills Area of Natural Beauty joint advisory committee, the executive committee of community action, and as a trustee of ‘Malvern Welcomes’.

Also being organist at St James’s Church, West Malvern ensures a busy life but, as the saying goes, if you want something doing, ask a busy person.