TWENTY-FIVE independent candidates are hoping to shake up Cheshire East Council at next week’s election.

The current 14-strong independent group already has a strong presence in Middlewich, Nantwich, Bollington and Handforth, and in total it is the third biggest grouping in the authority.

Two independent candidates are hoping to convince Knutsford to ditch the Tories at the ballot box next Thursday.

Quentin Abel and Helen Rogers are hoping to represent the town on Cheshire East Council for the next four years, with a pledge to put the town before party politics and look into improved transport and infrastructure for Knutsfordians.

Helen said: “I just do not understand how we have roads and why buses are so infrequent – surely we can have a frequent bus service, fit for purpose, to transport people of all ages across Knutsford, to our local hospital at Macclesfield and to the mainline train stations such as Chelford and Wilmslow?”

READ > Knutsford and Wilmslow's borough council candidates

Quentin added: “Climate change is the hot topic and so it should be. We are destroying the planet for future generations and we can do things about this at a local level.

“We could adopt community energy schemes that would potentially benefit us all both environmentally and economically.”

Wilmslow could gain three more independents next week, with Residents of Wilmslow (RoW) gearing up for a crucial role in the elections.

Cllr Toni Fox, RoW member for Dean Row, is hoping to keep the seat she has held on CEC for the past four years with a promise to put her ward before party politics.

She said: “I have lived in the local area for more than 40 years and have a real passion for this community.

“As an independent councillor I fairly judge all council matters on merit and challenge where I believe proposals are not in the best interests of the residents I represent.

Knutsford Guardian:

“I am not bound by party politics or policies and will always stand up for you and our community.”

In 2016, RoW edged out the Conservatives in a town council by-election, and the group is hopeful it can continue that momentum following a string of scandals to hit CEC in the past few years.

RoW has also been a major voice in the battle to protect Wilmslow’s greenbelt land – a major talking point in the town while CEC has developed its local plan.

David Jefferay, candidate for Wilmslow East, added: “I am standing for CEC because we cannot go on being represented by people who, due to their own party allegiance, will not hold the council’s leadership to account.

“We cannot allow Wilmslow to continue to be used as a cash-cow, while our daily problems with parking, oversubscribed schools and overdevelopment continues.”

READ > Conservatives launch local elections campaign

Meanwhile, Wilmslow’s neighbouring villages could be set to retain their independent councillors.

Alderley Edge First swept the board four years ago to take the village’s sole Cheshire East Council seat and control of the parish council.

With plans for new housing in the village set to feature in the next part of CEC’s local plan, Cllr Craig Browne hopes he will still be on the council to fight off any mooted development that would not fit in the village.

And alongside his fellow independent members, he hopes to continue the drive to ‘change Cheshire East’ if re-elected.

“I am hoping to continue the good work that I feel I have done during the last four years," he said.

“I am particularly keen to see that part two of the local plan actually delivers for Alderley Edge – not just the type of housing but also the infrastructure investment that the village needs.

Knutsford Guardian:

“I am also keen see the neighbourhood plan come into effect. There has been good progress so far but we need to get it to a point where it goes to referendum and the policies carry weight in the planning process.

“And I am keen to see scrutiny improved at CEC and for it to become more democratic. Hopefully voters can put party politics to one side and vote for candidates that will do the best for their communities.”

Voters in Handforth have long been convinced by independent politicians.

The village is represented by the Handforth Ratepayers group on Cheshire East Council, while the Ratepayers and Improving Handforth groups hold seats on the parish council.

Cllr Barry Burkhill is hoping to keep his seat on CEC and be joined by fellow Ratepayer Susan Bidwell – and the pair promise to be voters’ ‘local independent team’.

Knutsford Guardian:

The group said: "Handforth Ratepayers have been elected to serve Handforth continuously for over 40 years and for those who remember we were on the Urban District Council before 1973.

"Since the creation of CEC, which added further areas to Handforth ward, our work has continued and has become more important locally to voice residents’ concerns to the remote colossus which has become our local government.

"Much of our work is done in solving individual problems brought to us by residents, often involving many personal issues such as council tax, planning, highways, education and social services or frequent problems concerning the inability to contact or receive answers from council officers. We are always here to help."

But now a new independent voice is hoping to stand up for Handforth.

Julie Smith, who is not affiliated with the Ratepayers, said: “For the past few years I’ve been appalled to see how our village has been repeatedly ignored by CEC and the people that are supposed to represent us.

READ > Labour bid to restore CEC reputation on May 2

“We’ve lost a valuable local bus service, clinical services, child services and elderly care services because of ‘financial cuts’ by a council that seems able enough to find hundreds of thousands of pounds to investigate suspended officials and a ‘tour of Britain’ cycle race through Wilmslow.

“Our greenbelt land is rapidly disappearing and our potholed roads and pavements are a disgrace. I am sick of being fobbed off with lame excuses as to why parking issues can’t be addressed or we can’t access funding that has been allocated to our parks and for affordable housing and parking.”

Voters in Cheshire East will head to the polls on Thursday, May 2.

While the Conservatives are hoping to cling on to power and continue their growth agenda, opposition parties and independent candidates are demanding a fresh approach.

For more information visit cheshireeast.gov.uk/elections

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