I’m hoping to be elected in May 2021 to represent Ashurst Ward, as an councillor, because I’d like to see REAL and POSITIVE changes happening in Ashurst and Skelmersdale as a whole.
I think it’s important that, if I ask for your vote, you should know exactly where I stand on the issues that I believe matter the most.
Please know that i’m willing to listen and learn. I don’t claim to have all the answers and am definitely happy to be guided by the residents of Ashurst and to stand up to have your voice heard at council meetings. If I’m elected, it will be an honour to serve the whole community and I will always listen to your concerns, queries, views & opinions.
The first issue i’d like to tackle head on is probably quite obvious, given the huge amounts of time I invest into organising school assemblies and community litter picks is…
The Environment:
It’s increasingly apparent that our current system for dealing with litter, fly-tipping & graffiti in Ashurst and Skelmersdale isn’t working.
I feel very passionately about these issues facing Skelmersdale. I want this town to attract business, retail & residential investment to help boost the local economy.
I believe that the copious amounts of litter, bus stops & street signs covered in graffiti and the reckless fly-tipping on our estates, Cloughs & public spaces go a long way towards turning that much needed investment away from our town. I want to tackle this head on and believe that through a tougher stance against fly-tipping, graffiti & littering, better education & awareness campaigns and more bin provisions we could start to turn these issues around.
If I am elected as a councillor, to represent Ashurst, I will make it my priority to get these topics on the agenda at a full council meeting. I will also continually campaign to ensure that the amount of litter on our streets is reduced. I will lobby for a much tougher crackdown against fly-tippers and those who choose to graffiti too.
I want to put the following questions to the council:
1) Where are the litter bins in Ashurst?
Just one example is that I don’t see any litter bins on Fairstead (I know a lot of people think it’s Birch Green but it’s actually in the electoral ward of Ashurst). With a local shop and fish & chip shop on that road it’s becoming a real problem. The pathways and underpasses are covered in litter. What can we do to curb the litter issues around this area? The solutions seem obvious to most and I want to know why these aren’t being implemented effectively.
2) How can we work with local schools, workplaces & residents to better educate against littering?
One example i’d put forward is for schools to design anti-literring posters that can be displayed around the town.
3) What incentives can the council adopt to help with litter problems?
One sugestion I’d put forward is that the campaign to tackle cigarette litter was to introduce “Vote With Your Butt” cigarette bins in the capital. Can we introduce similar schemes in West Lancs?
4) How can the council discourage fly-tipping?
One suggestion i’d put forward is to actively monitor our local “buy sell swap” groups and follow up with those that offer to dispose of waste cheaply.
I’ve given just one suggestion or example for each of the issues listed above but I want you to know that I have a LOT of ideas to put to the council. Some are my own, others I’ve had shared with me from the residents of Ashurst and I’m always keen to hear more thoughts on this topic!
As a non-elected resident of Ashurst, I’ve spent the past year organising and running multiple litter picking events all over Skelmersdale. Our groups of volunteers have pulled literally tons of rubbish from our heritage sites, public spaces & parks.
Imagine how much more we could achieve with proper representation on the council!
West Lancs is currently advertising for a Waste & Recycling Promotions Officer. This seems to be a positive step and if I’m elected, I’d like to work closely with whoever fills the role so that I can ensure your views and opinions are heard.
Please give me the chance to fight this anti-litter, anti-graffiti and anti-fly-tipping campaign on your behalf, I feel very passionately about this issue and promise to keep pushing for these issues to be tackled head on. I’d really appreciate your vote of confidence on Thursday May 6th 2021.