Councillor Mawle - Encourages Change

With the May 1st elections just around the corner, I would like to share some information from the 2007 survey of local election candidates:-

Who stood at the last council elections?

• Two thirds of candidates were men, a majority were aged 55 or over, while an even larger majority were white

• Councillors who were re-elected were most likely to be retired while many candidates were likely to be self-employed

• Women candidates were outnumbered two to one by men and the proportion of female councillors on most authorities is either static or showing signs of decline

• More than seven in ten of those re-elected were in the higher age category with six in ten of defeated incumbents - younger councillors were more likely to lose their seats in May 2007

• Just 2.5 per cent of respondents described their ethnicity as non-white.

Some of the possible reasons which were put forward for under-representation were:-

• Two-thirds thought women put family commitments before a political career and that too few women came forward as candidates

• A quarter thought some voters might discriminate against younger people as local election candidates

• Six in ten felt that political parties should encourage more black, Asian and minority ethnic people to stand for election

I believe that greater social diversity would improve our local government's image and the under-representation of female, young or minority ethnic candidates needs to be urgently addressed. If you would like more information on how to get involved please feel free to contact me.

Councillor Darrell Mawle

31 Ebenezer St

Hednesford

Staffs

WS12 4HD

RUGELEY ROAD PLANNING APPLICATION THROWN OUT

Before Christmas 07' I was contacted by a number of concerned residents about a planning application which had been received by Cannock Chase District Council from a developer who wanted to build 5 detached dwellings on land at 32, Rugeley Road.

I promised I would look into the situation and come back to residents when more information was forthcoming.

I can now confirm that the application has now been refused on delegated powers by the Planning Department.

I hope this information will put resident's minds at rest.

Councillor D Mawle

Councillors Mawle & Ansell Commend Volunteers

Following long campaigning from your local Liberal Democrats, we finally have some car speed checking units in the ward boundaries. These will be moved around to six identified locations where speeding cars have become an issue. The units flash up your speed when you approach them and we urge you to look out for them as you drive around the area.

Councillor Darrell Mawle

Councillor Pat Ansell

Your local councillors are pleased to announce that there will be a Christmas Tree in Cannock Wood and Rawnsley again this year. Unfortunately, due to some technical difficulties, another tree which was due to be based in the ward this year has been postponed. We hope to bring you good news on this subject next year.

Prospect Village Residents Association have been very busy over the last few months as local members have been cleaning up a forgotten pathway which runs from behind the Village Hall to Ironstone Road. Eleven Volunteers have also been trained to run the Community Speedwatch in the village. Your local councillors applaud all those who are putting in valuable hours of their own time to make the area a better place to live and we promise to give them our total support.

For Your Information

Following the first couple of stages of the new Local Development Framework plan, there are just two areas of land for housing development that remain for consideration in the ward boundaries. One is the land off Rawnsley Road, between West Gate and Rugeley Road and the other is the land behind the Grange Residential home. If you have any comments, please send them into the Planning Dept at the council.

Following the success of Cannock Wood and Gentleshaw Country Fair earlier this year, we can announce that next years date will be Saturday 13th September 2008.

The proposed Wind farm behind Littleworth Road is a great concern for all residents in the ward. Your local councillors have been told that the planning application will be submitted in the next few months. At this point, there will be a lot of publicity in the press and we urge all residents to make your feelings known whether you are for or against it.