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Council Elections 2017

Elections will be for County Council on Thurs 4th May 2017.

There will also be District Council elections for Franklands Ward in Burgess Hill and Bolney, also Town Council elections for Bentswood Ward in Haywards Heath.

We have a full set of candidates for County and Town elections, you can find out more about our candidates below.

Time for change – vote Labour Thursday 4th May

County Council Elections

West Sussex County Council is currently dominated by Conservatives. Electing Labour councillors will be a positive change for Mid Sussex electors. Only Labour has a vision that will make West Sussex a better place in which to live and work.

A vote for Labour gives the opportunity to improve public services, unnecessarily cut by West Sussex Conservatives.

The Tory-Lib Dem Coalition from 2010 to 2015 cut millions from local authority budgets and the Tory government has continued to cut funding. These years of unnecessary austerity now mean crisis in Mid Sussex:

Reasons to vote Labour in the County Council Elections

As Labour Party members your local candidates are committed to upholding our values. We care about people, we want everyone to fulfil their life opportunities and to live in a decent home. We want people to live without fear and have public services available to them when needed.

Our pledges to you as your Labour County Councillors

Town Council Elections

On Thursday 4th May you will have chance to vote for Labour Party Candidates to fill both vacancies on Haywards Heath Town Council in Bentswood Ward, Ian Winterflood and Suzanne Nicolson are ideal to look after your interests at our Town Hall

Reasons to vote Labour in Haywards Heath Town Council Bentswood Ward Elections

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Our Labour Candidates pledge to you are that they will:

Your Labour Party Candidates

Simon Hayward - Burgess Hill North, County Council

I have lived in Burgess Hill with my wife and daughters for six years. I currently work for a major international software company designing systems for processing massive datasets. Before this I worked for 10 years in the criminal justice system as a paralegal.

I believe that work has too much sway over many people's lives and they are paid too little for the work they do. This leaves people with little time to enjoy life, and to fight for things they care about.

I have been involved with workplace organising and environmental campaigns all of my adult life. In my spare time I enjoy rock climbing, long walks and spending time with my family.

Pam Haigh - Burgess Hill East, County Council

I have lived in Burgess Hill with my partner for eleven years. After working for a large telecommunications company for over 20 years I now run a small web design business – so have experience at both ends of the business spectrum.

I believe in a society that supports company growth while protecting employees’ rights, making work fairer and more secure, and have supported local Labour campaigns to protect the interests of local people.

In my spare time I enjoy gardening, researching my family tree and spending time with friends and family.

Elaine Bolton - Burgess Hill Franklands Ward, District Council

I have lived in Burgess Hill most of my life, the last 10 years in Franklands Ward, and so have a good understanding of the issues facing the area. My two daughters were both educated locally, including at Birchwood Grove School.

I have been a translator for the past 20 years, running my own small business from home. Prior to this, I spent several years working in the international aid and development sector in Africa and Latin America.

I have seen the impact Tory cuts are having on our health, education and social services locally and am committed to fighting to protect these. I have a strong sense of equality and social justice and you will often see me out campaigning in Burgess Hill town centre on a Saturday morning! I also volunteer for our local community food bank.

I strongly believe that our Conservative councillors need some opposition on the District Council and, if elected, pledge to make the needs of Burgess Hill people heard at every opportunity.

In my spare time, I sing in a choir and am learning Arabic at evening classes. I also sometimes help out backstage at a local community theatre and enjoy walking my dog, Gus.

Michael Miller – East Grinstead Meridian, County Council

I have lived with my wife in East Grinstead for six years. I am a chartered engineer and have spent my career in the Information System industry, the last decade in healthcare working for NHS England as well as in many countries around the world.

I have also been a visiting professor of technology. I am dedicated to addressing the challenges of increasing demand for social care, which accounts for some 54% of the county council’s expenditure, as well as the challenges of schools, housing, transport and roads.

Now semi-retired, I wish to use my experience and knowledge to bring much needed improvements to services in our community.

David Wilbraham – East Grinstead South and Ashurstwood, County Council

My family and I have lived in East Grinstead for 10 years. I am a chartered civil engineer and work for a design consultancy company.

I believe that to be a prosperous society we must be a fair society. Local government plays a key role; this means educational services that support full opportunity for all, social services to protect the vulnerable, emergency services to ensure the safety and security of all citizens, and transport infrastructure that keeps people and businesses moving.

Hilary Schan-Martyn – Haywards Heath Town, County Council

I have lived in Haywards Heath with my partner for five years. I work for an academic publishing company and regularly commute to London. In my spare time I am actively involved in local Labour Party campaigns, with a particular passion for fighting to protect our NHS.

I joined Labour because I believe in a society that cares for everyone and prioritises fairness over personal gain.

When I am not campaigning, I enjoy listening to 70s music, having a glass of wine and spending time with my friends, family, rabbit and two kittens!

Will Blunden – Haywards Heath East, County Council

I have lived in Haywards Heath all my life. I attend St. Paul's Catholic College in Burgess Hill where I study politics, economics and history.

I am standing as a candidate in this election in order to represent young people and those neglected by the Conservative-dominated council.

My hobbies include socialising with my friends and watching football.

Lisa Desbruslais – Lindfield and High Weald, County Council

I moved to Lindfield almost two years ago, having previously lived in Horsted Keynes for 18 years. I have three sons, all of whom have been educated locally. We all enjoy travelling together and back packed round India last year.

I studied Nursing at University and I am passionate about our NHS and want to make sure that it remains effective and viable for our future generations. I also want to see better transport links for our outlying villages.

I enjoy walking for miles in our beautiful local countryside with my dog and I am a keen swimmer. I believe in equality, social justice and compassion for everyone.

Ian Winterflood - Haywards Heath Bentswood Ward, Town Council

I have lived in Haywards Heath with my wife since 1995.

I want to see our town keep its identity and vibrancy, surrounded by beautiful countryside.

I started my career as an apprentice plumber. Now as a Director of a national heating company providing services to the UK social housing sector, I understand the complex housing situation, and why self-employed people need to be protected at work

Suzanne Nicolson - Haywards Heath Bentswood Ward, Town Council

I am one of your two local Bentswood Ward candidates.

I have lived in Haywards Heath with my partner for 27 years

I spent 10 years as a volunteer councellor for Samaritans and 22 years in the independent living sector, working with social services.

I have first hand recent experience of the devastating impact of Conservative austerity measures on social services and care for the ageing

Susannah Brady – Worth Forest, County Council

Originally from Crawley, I have lived and worked in West Sussex my entire life. I am a qualified experienced secretary and have been running my own businesses for 17 years, including setting up a family plumbing and heating firm and a back office support business.

I am passionate about changing the current ‘I’m all right, Jack’ rhetoric into one of a caring society, fair for all. I am determined to end the plight of the private tenant forced to accept exorbitant rents and uncertain tenancy terms due to a lack of social or affordable housing. The NHS must be protected and reinvested in. In my spare time, I study art history and enjoy visiting art galleries and National Trust properties.

If elected, I will put the needs of local people first and will communicate your views to the County Council in the strongest possible terms in order to facilitate positive change for the local community.

Deborah Miles – Imberdown, County Council

I am a teacher with many years of experience and currently teach in Mid Sussex. I am committed to equality and social justice, as demonstrated in my role as Women’s Officer for Horsham CLP and my campaigning both for a better deal for rail travellers in the south as well as for genuinely affordable housing in West Sussex.

Education is obviously a key area for me. I am determined to fight to secure the best possible deal for West Sussex schools and I support the headteachers’ campaign for fair funding for the county’s educational establishments. A mother of two teenage daughters and a long-standing member of the National Union of Teachers, I have seen at first hand the impact of the Tory administration’s cuts on youth provision in West Sussex.

If elected, I will put the needs of local people first and will communicate your views to the County Council in the strongest possible terms in order to facilitate positive change for the local community.

Norina O’Hare – Hurstpierpoint and Bolney, County Council

I have lived in Hurstpierpoint for 16 years and my two children were brought up here. They attended local schools - St Lawrence’s and Downlands Community College.

The choice on 4 May is continued decay or positive change. Please consider voting for a change here by voting for me. I am not a ‘career’ politician, just a local resident who will listen and work hard to ensure we get the resources that our community needs.

Linda Taylor – Hassocks and Burgess Hill South, County Council

As a recently retired teacher I have first-hand experience of how Conservative dogma is destroying our much valued public services.

I want to offer a positive Labour alternative and will push for a better deal for all. I am not a "career" politician, just a local resident who will listen and work hard to get the resources our community needs

This election is a chance to show those who take your vote for granted that you want to be listened to. If elected I promise to represent your interests and hold those in power to account. I will make sure your hard earned money gets you the public services you want, need and deserve.

Sarah Moss - Cuckfield and Lucastes, County Council

I have lived in the area for a number of years.

As a Labour Party member and your local candidate I am committed to upholding our values. We care about people, we want everyone to fulfil their life opportunities and to live in a decent home, and have public services available to them when needed.

I am passionate about making society better for the many, not just the few.

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