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Election 2012: Candidate Focus: Tulketh: Neil Darby

Posted on - 1st May, 2012 - 6:13pm | Author - | Posted in - Politics

Below is the latest post in our series of Q&As with election candidates standing to be councillors in Preston.

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The election takes place on Thursday 3 May 2012 and we’ve emailed this list of questions or posted it through every candidate’s door so you can find out what’s beyond the name on the ballot paper and what they will do for your local area if elected.

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Neil DarbyFull name? Neil Darby

Party? Liberal Democrat

Ward? Tulketh

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Occupation? Caseworker

What has made you decide to stand for election? I live in the ward and take great pride in my local community. While I already do a lot of work helping local residents, as an elected councillor I would be able to do much more for the area.

I feel that modern local politics has a lot to answer for in terms of today’s disconnect between politicians and the general public. Local councillors are meant to be there as a first port of call for people – but in too many areas, including Tulketh, people never see their councillors. I want to be a part of a new generation of councillors who will correct this and will be seen all year round, rather than just canvassing for votes at election time.

What are the key issues for your ward? Tulketh is a diverse ward where there are a wide variety of issues in different areas, however, there are two specific issues which do cover the whole ward.

The first is rubbish and fly-tipping, mainly (but not exclusively) in back alleys. Not only does this lead to a lack of pride in our neighbourhoods, but a recent spate of arson attacks setting light to piles of rubbish and un-emptied bins against properties has highlighted the real danger this poses to local residents. The council is currently failing to adequately address this issue.
Secondly, road safety is also a concern across Tulketh. Whether it is speeding, drivers ignoring one-way systems or dangerous parking, these all pose hazards to local residents both in and out of their cars.
Finally, there are Preston-wide issues which are important to local residents. The biggest grievance residents mention on the doorstep is the 69% reduction in PCSO (community police) funding, putting our community at risk and endangering the good work that our PCSOs have already done in tackling issues such as anti-social behaviour. However there is also genuine anger that Preston City Council has opted to raise Council Tax in these difficult times, despite a grant offered by the government to freeze Council Tax for a second year to take the financial pressure off people.

If you were elected, how would you keep your constituents informed? I already write regular ‘Focus’ newsletters to keep local residents informed and these would continue, while I would aim to be as accessible for residents to talk to as possible. I also keep a website which is regularly updated at http://neildarby.mycouncillor.org.uk and a Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/liberalneildarby both of which residents can use to keep on top of what I’m doing in the local area.

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Finally, I hold two surgeries every Saturday – one by appointment in the morning which residents can book by phone or email, or by going to http://tinyurl.com/tulketh, and an open air surgery which moves from street to street – look out for the big yellow A-Board!

Anything else to add? If people have any questions they can contact me directly, either by phone on 07891 645184 or by email at neil4preston@live.co.uk.

View a map below showing the other candidates standing for election in Tulketh and across the city.


View Election 2012: Local election candidates standing for Preston City Council in a larger map

If you’re a candidate standing for election, please send us your answers to the questions above along with a photo of yourself we can use to go with the piece. Please email it to contactus@blogpreston.co.uk as soon as possible.

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