Jane E A Howard
Conservative Party
West Heywood Ward
I am delighted to have been selected to represent West Heywood for the Conservatives at the local elections on Thursday 22 May. Heywood people are proud of their identity and their community spirit and if elected I am committed to working and serving all residents in the Ward.
I am married with two teenage daughters and have lived in the borough for more than 40 years, currently working as an Internal Communications Officer at Salford University.
I am passionate about encouraging community involvement and ensuring local people have a voice in decision-making. Having worked in local government, I am fully conversant with funding and policy issues and if elected will work with council officers to ensure West Heywood is not a forgotten area. I am proud that with Conservative pressure we have continued to freeze council tax again for residents. The Labour Group proposed yet another rise, but under pressure from the Council’s Conservative Group, they u-turned, accepting it made economic sense to take the additional grant worth £1.6m spread over two years, offered by the Government if taxes were frozen. We’ve also received an extra £200m extra money from the Government to repair the many pot holes on our roads.
The Conservatives are also committed to delivering real change in Europe. We have already promised an ‘in out’ referendum – the only party that has – and we will work constantly to ensure Europe works for us and we take back control of our justice and home affairs. The Conservative voice is strong and through David Cameron, we have already secured several concessions. UKIP are not a credible solution and cannot deliver. Ironic they want to be elected into Europe, when they want to get us out of Europe!
Local elections are naturally focussed on local issues and I am campaigning to resolve issues that you care about. I will fight to ensure we have a proper street cleaning and grass-cutting service - severely savaged by the Labour-run Council in the cutbacks. It’s a proven fact that having a tidy neighbourhood in which we can all take pride helps cut crime and improves everyone’s quality of life. Bin theft is another issue which worries you, with people having their bins stolen on a regular basis in Heywood and across the borough. Bins are being replaced as quickly as possible only to be stolen again a few days later and this is thought to be possibly linked to metal thefts.
I believe in the importance of good education and am a Foundation Governor at St. Michael’s primary school. I am also a member of my Parish Church Council and the Friends of Springfield Park. As a Conservative, I am obviously committed to retaining and improving our green spaces and to ensure that any more playing fields are not sold off - our children need these areas for sports facilities and to play.
I have been an active member of Heywood, Norden & Bamford Conservative Group for more than 22 years. West Heywood needs a representative who has the time to listen to local people’s views, and I would be proud to serve the Ward if you are prepared to give me your vote on Thursday 22 May.
