Ward focus: Worcester City Council's Warndon Parish North

Over the years this ward has been kind to the Conservatives, but elections here are far from comfortable for the city’s biggest party.

And what makes it really interesting this year is that the area is guaranteed to get a new councillor after Tory Douglas Wilkinson, a Scot, stepped down due to work reasons.

There are four hopefuls in the frame this year with Conservative hopes resting on Alan Feeney, a well-known face as a performing toastmaster, civil celebrant, mace-bearer and even town crier on occasion, a career which puts him at the centre of many weddings, funerals and public events around the city.

Mr Feeney, who stood in Nunnery last year and came second, won’t have an easy task though.

In 2011 this seat was held by Councillor Wilkinson with a majority of 396 over Labour, and last year the other Warndon Parish North seat, held by Tory Stephen Hodgson, was held by a 334 majority.

But last year UKIP caused a real surprise by coming second here in its first ever attempt, taking away Labour’s mantle as the main opposition in one sudden stroke.

UKIP is back for another go this year, with candidate Jacqueline Burnett standing, and Labour has selected activist Chris Cooper while the Green Party has put forward Paul Snookes, who tried to get onto the city council in this ward in 2014.

There’s a lot of interest here - the last time a council count tied with a General Election one in 2010 turnout in the ward topped 71 per cent, so expect a similar tally.

Traditionally a higher turnout here benefits the Conservatives, a factor which has seen the canvassing intensity upped in recent weeks.

The big unknown is UKIP as prior to last year it had no record here - Nigel Farage’s party will be aiming to push Mr Feeney hard.

But Labour also has a clear goal, to restore its position as the main opposition at the very least.

Leafy and desirable, home ownership around here is high, with many of its residents people who commute on the motorway to work.

One concern in the ward has been horses left to graze for days on end along the many grass verges, a problem which still crops up fairly regularly.

ALAN FEENEY (CON)

I have lived in Worcester for nearly 10 years and believe it to be a great city.

Since my arrival I have made a point of getting involved in as many community and charity groups as possible.

I am a keen supporter of St. Richard’s Hospice as well as having served on Warndon Parish Council.

I also had the honour of being a city Macebearer and was privileged to serve the Queen on her visit to Worcester in 2012.

My work as a celebrant takes me to every corner of Worcester’s community at their times of greatest need and I am delighted to know that I have brought comfort to so many families when they have needed it the most.

My passion has always been for the service of my local community and I hope that as a city councillor I can help to take our city forward.

As a local businessman, I have a keen interest in supporting the local economy and believe that the Conservatives have the right ideas to help our city prosper while protecting our precious greenspaces.

JACQUELINE BURNETT (UKIP)

I feel UKIP are more aware and less condescending of ordinary people’s concerns than other parties, as we are not whipped we can put people first, above party.

In working for the city we would aim for free day-time parking period on council owned car parks and we are actively campaigning against hospital car parking charges. We want to prioritise brownfield sites for development rather than greenfield sites. We feel there should be local referendums on large scale building and other major plans which affect the city and that any and all decisions made should be in the long-term interests of the place we live in. We support a freeze in council tax and an end to the local council ‘cabinet’ system.

We also support the Northern Link Road as it will ease traffic chaos and make access easier for visitors.

Housing, parking, congestion, litter, fouling and bin collections are of concern locally and these are some of the issues which we will address diligently.

CHRIS COOPER (LAB)

I’ve lived in Worcester for almost 20 years. My children grew up and went to school and college here and continue to live here.

I have first hand experience of educating and training young people, helping to establish them with a job and somewhere to live in Worcester.

My own career has been a mix of employment in education and the competitive retail and business arena; working with co-operatives, mutuals and social enterprises helping people, young and old, to meet their aspirations through achieving their dreams as a tutor, manager and governor/trustee.

I now run my own consultancy working in education, charities and the third sector.

I want to be able to influence the way local councils can deliver their services directly and in partnership.

During my career I have worked with a variety of communities such as trade unions, housing associations, further education colleges, primary and secondary schools, professional organisations and co-operatives by serving on their councils, boards and committees for the benefit of their members and stakeholders.

I now hope to do the same for my local community and be a voice for a part of Worcester that has been ignored and under-represented for some time.

PAUL SNOOKES (GREEN)

I am a resident of Warndon Villages and since retiring from the University of Worcester in 2013, I have been actively involved, as a volunteer, in many rewarding environmental and community projects in our area.

As I am sure you are aware, there is a lot of evidence that we all benefit enormously, both mentally and physically, by being out in nature with family, friends and neighbours.

We therefore need to protect and improve the beautiful green spaces that we are so lucky to have all around us. Would you like to see less litter, better parks and public spaces for all of us, more of our verges and open spaces with more fruit trees and carpets of beautiful wild flowers and more wildlife in Warndon Local Nature Reserve?

Then vote for me. If elected, I would help create a stronger sense of community in order to promote a great sense of wellbeing and safety for all of us who live in this lovely part of Worcester.