HU17.net caught up with Neil Harris who will be standing in St Mary’s Ward in the 2015 elections. Mr. Harris is Sustainability Office at HEY Hospital Trust and is passionate about the place he calls home.
Why do you want to stand for the St Mary’s ward this May?
I am proud to have lived in Beverley for the past 25 years, and am passionate about this town’s heritage. Owning and restoring buildings here in St Mary’s ward, if elected, I would be responsible to the residents to represent them as an Independent candidate. This is not about me, it’s about Beverley.
Also at a local level this is not about main party politics, I believe all should vote as they feel fit in the main parliamentary elections, but in the local ward elections it’s time for ward issues to be represented by a strong, totally independent voice, someone who will give their constituents feedback on all the issues raised. I will be visible, active, and informative. This is about Beverley first and foremost. I want to act for the ward on the issues that are important to all the residents.
Why stand as an Independent?
It cannot be a healthy situation if ALL the current 9 Beverley ward councillor’s report to the Conservative party. The current leader of the council is Conservative, the full ten-person Cabinet is Conservative and our current Conservative MP is very likely to be re-elected.
This unbalance cannot be of any value or benefit to the people of Beverley. Importantly I have pledged that I will not hold any other offices, carry conflicts and distractions, like many of the current councillors. If elected I will be a St Mary’s ward councillor and perform that duty to its full, with the time it warrants. I wish to represent the ward’s best interests on the Council and that is it!
What are your views on Housing, Planning and Infrastructure?
We should have the forum to question and review the relentless growth in housing the ward has been asked to accommodate. The plan does not appear to be fixed, it is constantly moving and doesn’t appear to be either joined up nor fully thought through.
No one document that I can find states the agreed number of houses Beverley is expected to take. We need more infrastructure and employment to support this growth. Let’s work to keep Beverley as the prosperous and healthy town we all love. We need to retain our character and historic identity, at the same time respecting our future needs. That said – Beverley must not become a faceless dormitory town.
What will you do for the younger residents of the ward and how will you represent them?
Firstly, I need to get them to vote and understand that they need to use their votes this May. I am deeply worried for our remaining green spaces and even fewer sport fields.
I will strive to ensure that the whole area works in the interests of the community both young and old. Surely, a Beverley sports team should be able to play its home games in Beverley. If elected I need to meet with the youth groups and youth leaders and understand how the funding cuts are affecting all in the area, and ensure that any monies that can be found are towards youth projects. I will ensure that all of the available funding options are being explored.
How will you deal with the tougher higher profile issues?
Through discussion we will together address these issues at the appropriate time, for example “Fracking”, “Cycle paths on the Westwood” or yet another “housing development” being squeezed in an open green space. I believe there is a lot the council can learn from the “Setts” campaign.
The Council must involve all it’s residents early and ask their views. It is your town after all. We need to move on from the “behind closed doors” attitude. What happens now is wrong.
For example: there could be an issue in a ward, but if all the councillors are from the same party, they can afford to let the affected ward councillor vote against the motion knowing that the remaining councilors can vote it through! I will research, read and understand the issues and engage with residents on how I should act. I will not be nullified by main party politics and will ensure that residents are kept up to date and informed.
How will you maintain the “Visible-Active-Informative” pledge?
I see this as informing the community through a two-way dialogue, using newsletters and the use of social media, a website and by meeting residents as and when required. The local press have a role to play here, and I will talk to those that wish to report the issues that arise. I will reach out to all schools, businesses, churches, associations, festivals and residents. I wish to be visible and report back what I hear, find and discover.
It’s SIMPLE, the residents should know what is being discussed by their council, about their town before – it’s either Built, Closed, Cancelled or Removed!
I would end by asking the Beverley resident to ask themselves ”How many times in the last four years have you thought when reading something or hearing that something is about to happen – ‘’That can’t be right?”
I know this reflects how many residents of Beverley feel. I want to put something back into this beautiful town of ours, so I ask you to think things over and use your vote wisely in the ward elections. A fresh start with a new a face, someone with enthusiasm for our town and the ward.
