THE people of Crediton will go to the polls on Thursday, November 25 to vote for the candidate they want as their Crediton Town Councillor.

This is for one seat in Boniface Ward and one seat in Lawrence Ward.

One person will be elected for each seat (Boniface and Lawrence).

Mid Devon District Council has issued polling cards.

The candidates for the Boniface Ward are: Natalia Letch (Liberal Democrats) and Evelyne Spaul (Independents for Crediton).

The candidates for the Lawrence Ward are: Sandra Chenore (Liberal Democrats), Imogen May (Independents for Crediton) and Rachel Morgan (Independent).

Crediton Town Council is a medium-sized town council, with 12 seats. All councillors are responsible for setting the annual budget, attending council meetings and ensuring decision-making is properly implemented.

The elections are taking place following the death of Cllr John Ross and the resignation of Cllr Paul Vincent.

BONIFACE WARD

NATALIA LETCH

FORMER Crediton Mayoress, volunteer advisor, passionate gardener and devoted wife, Natalia is a University graduated engineer and worked on television for 25 years.
Natalia is a well-known face around Crediton since she came here in 2006.

When asked what she thought were the biggest challenges facing the Town Council, she said: “We are facing unprecedented challenges including climate change, pandemic, drugs abuse, neglected children and youth, depressed people, etc, etc with a shortage of salaries and funds on the background.
“Now, think about bureaucracy: the power of the decision making is unevenly distributed between Crediton Town Council, Mid Devon District Council and Devon County Council. It’s even more complicated than sorting your household waste between eight different recycling bags and boxes!”

What things could the Town Council do to help tackle climate change?

“There is a lot that can be done: transport improvement; electric cars welcome; natural habitat areas maintained; local food sustainable production and promotion; environmental education in Crediton schools.
“I attended the COP26 Conference in the Boniface Centre and was amazed how many wonderful ideas were introduced there.

“Now we must put them into practice!”

EVELYNE SPAUL

MY name is Evelyne Spaul. I am standing as a candidate because I believe there should be a better representation of the members of the community in the town council, given the age demographic is mostly above 50 and there are currently very few female councillors.

As a 19-year-old myself I care deeply about the youth issues in Crediton and would like to see positive change in the town council which has a moral obligation to utilise the £325,000 of taxpayer money for the benefit of the community.

This and many other issues will be better dealt with by Independents for Crediton’s better “ways of working” which actively includes the community in council meetings and pledges not to engage in party politics.

Frome and Sidmouth have benefited greatly from this different approach to local governing and I know we will too.

LAWRENCE WARD

SANDRA CHENORE

“I’M Sandy, I’m a teacher by training, specialising in the educational needs for those children that need extra support. I’m a mother of two, and passionate chorister. I’ve moved to the Crediton area recently, before that I was in Exeter.”

If elected she says she would be one of the youngest councillors.

“I think I would bring a different perspective to the role; the perspective of a young mother with a job and never enough time.

“I’m a great believer in the power of the community. It has been much derided of late but I really think we are stronger because of our family, friends and neighbours. Perhaps that is one of the positives to have come out of the Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve all come to realise that we do not exist in isolation we all depend upon each other.”

Asked what she thought were the biggest challenges facing the Town Council Sandy said: “A challenge for the Council is finding its role. Mid Devon District Council and Devon County Council are responsible for a lot of things that affect Crediton residents.

“Sometimes it can be difficult for the Town to find its voice. The Town Council spends around £300,000 but this is dwarfed by the money MDDC and DCC spend. I’ll try to help ensure the Town Council focusses on getting Crediton its fair share of the money spent by Mid Devon and Devon Councils.”

Sandy said she would like to see what more can be done for young people in the town, praising the town council for appointing a full-time youth officer.

On climate change she said: “I worry that people can feel overwhelmed by the apparent immensity of the challenge we face, and of course as a mother I worry about the world my children will live in. I think we need to promote a message that it is small changes from all of us that can make a big difference.

“The sustainable clothing movement is gaining momentum and it is this type of small change which I think people can easily achieve themselves that will help make a difference. It won’t fix the problem but if we don’t identify the things people can do themselves then they will just give up hope. I think the Council can play its part in identifying to people what it can do to make things better for us all.”

RACHEL MORGAN

“MY name is Rachel Morgan. I am a mum of four children. Three have additional needs.

“Our two youngest children attend Landscore Primary School and our 14 year-old attends QE School.

“I am also a parent governor and the chair of the Friends of Landscore School.

“We have a confectionary retail shop in Crediton.

“My campaign is largely built on local business support, supporting young families, particularly families with special needs children.

“I believe that my being local within the town gives everyone an opportunity to discuss any issues they would like to be supported with.”

A former nurse/carer, Rachel said she would also champion the needs of the elderly and the community.

IMOGEN MAY

I’M Imogen, Independent for Crediton, a newly formed group whose aim is to bring all community issues to the forefront of importance within Crediton, working together to ensure that something is done about the many issues facing residents.

A lone parent for 18 years, I understand what it’s like to juggle life and work while surviving on a low income.

Experience has brought me to become disheartened with how systems are designed to fail communities.

Independents for Crediton works under the flatpack democracy model. A successful model of engagement and change that was designed with community at its heart, listening to the needs of people who live here and acting upon them.

Independents for Crediton isn’t a political party and doesn’t have party politics as an agenda.

Our world is changing fast. I decided to stand through a need to change how things are done for the better for everyone.