Polls open for the 2019 local elections in less than a week.
This week Bracknell News will be bringing you statements from candidates standing in all 18 wards.
Scroll down and you'll find out a bit about who your candidates are, why they want to be elected and who they're standing for.
In Old Bracknell ward, voters will be asked to choose two councillors from the list on their ballot paper.
You can find your nearest polling station at the bottom of this story.
Residents can vote from 7am - 10pm on Thursday, May 2.
Candidates:
Roy Bailey (Labour)
"I have previously served on Bracknell Forest Council and until four years ago, was a Bracknell Town Councillor serving Old Bracknell. I am very familiar with Old Bracknell and having talked to so many residents over the past years, I have a good understanding of the key issues. I was a Thames Valley Police Superintendent and also a business consultant and a college lecturer. I have a doctorate in Criminal Justice. I am Chair of the Governors at Fox Hill Primary School and celebrate their recent excellent Ofsted report. I believe a Councillor should be accessible, regularly consult the residents and keep them informed of new developments. I have lots of energy and a passion to get things done and to make a difference."
Susan Cahill (Labour)
"I have lived in Bracknell since 2002. I moved from London and have never regretted it. I love Bracknell.
"I have been a teacher, and IT professional, a company director, a senior local government manager and an East Berkshire Magistrate. I am enjoying the responsibilities of being a Governor at Fox Hill Primary school.
"I believe residents should be well informed and consulted about choices being made on their behalf. In times of limited budgets, funds should be spent in line with residents’ priorities.
"My main priorities are decent ’affordable’ housing, education and youth services.
"I will be accessible and will have regular street surgeries, knocking on your door to discuss your aspirations or concerns."
Peter Heydon (Conservative)
"I have lived in Bracknell since 2009 and have served - as both a Borough and Town Councillor - representing Old Bracknell for the last 8 years. I really appreciate Bracknell as a great place to work and live. On the borough council I have since 2015 been the executive member with responsibility for Transformation and Finance. I am proud of Bracknell Forest’s strong financial management during very testing times – we have one of the lowest Council Tax rates in the country - and a successful transformation programme which, despite external pressures, means that we have maintained and improved all our vital services to our residents. Since elected I have been a Business Champion and Chairman of both Governance and Audit and the Corporate Parenting Advisory Panel. I also represent Bracknell Forest on the Easthampstead and Wildridings Community Centre. I maintain an active presence within Old Bracknell holding regular surgeries, and have established a reputation of being approachable and responsive. I probably enjoy my ward work more than anything else helping residents with a myriad of issues, whether it is housing, safety, parking, care – or just helping resolve local neighbourhood “problems”. I am also very active in the local business community. My own business background continues to serve me with the financial, people and general management skills which I use on your behalf. I value being a Councillor - as your link between the council and the community - providing representation and leadership. A lifelong Conservative, I believe in sound public finances and spreading opportunity, enterprise and ownership across the community."
David Maxwell (Liberal Democrat)
Awaiting candidate statement.
Malcolm Tullett (Conservative)
"For the last four years, I have been fortunate to have served as a Borough and Town Councillor and look forward to continuing to apply the skills and lessons learned, for the benefit of you and your neighbours. In fact, throughout the whole of my working life I have focused on caring for people. It’s just what I do. I have also been a magistrate (Justice of the Peace) for over 30 years, so I understand many of the issues facing residents, first hand. With a 17-year-old son, I also tend to be kept up to date with the issues of relevance to young people. As a Trades Unionist I am used to listening to people. I know how the process of representing your views works, so I’m looking forward, if elected, to hitting the ground running. I have already served on a number of public facing forums and panels, so representing you is not new to me. I will continue to focus my efforts on crime and anti-social behaviour. I believe we should have more for our young people to do, which is why I have actively supported the provision of the youth hub, in the town centre. I have also been heavily involved in the overview and scrutiny of Adult Social Care, Health and Housing, with a keen interest in helping to drive improvements in the health and well-being of all of our residents. I will always try and remove the jargon from conversation, which means that you’ll find me straight talking. I deal with people in an honest, direct and no-nonsense way. I always say what I mean and mean what I say. I want to become your councillor so that I can use my forthright communications skills on behalf of all of the residents, to be your voice in the right places, to drive well-managed change so that Old Bracknell remains a great place to live."
Nearest polling station:
Easthampstead & Wildridings Community Centre, Rectory Lane, Bracknell RG12 7BH
Easthampstead Baptist Church Hall, South Hill Road, Bracknell RG12 7NS
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