Twelve places on Crawley Borough Council will be contested during May’s elections - meet the candidates
By Karen Dunn, Local Democracy Reporter
Published 19th Apr 2024, 14:24 BST
Twelve places on Crawley Borough Council will be contested during May’s elections.
The candidates have been approached for statements. Here’s what they had to say.
The polls will open on Thursday May 2. For information about postal voting, Voter ID, and the location of the polling stations, log on to the council’s website.
33. Simon James Piggott (Conservative) - Southgate
Southgate: My home for 40+ years, where I went to school, have worked and where I was governor and chair at St Francis School for 14 years helping make it the great place it is now. To continue building a good community, I stood to become a Southgate councillor and you voted for me. I have not let you down, delivering all of my promises and you can see where I’ve made real differences from tackling litter, illegal dumping, dog waste and pathway maintenance, to working with you making sure you get the support you need and the council services you deserve. Why should I continue as your Southgate councillor? Well, my focus is local not national: local services – local living – local community. You voted for me before and I delivered. Vote for me again and I will continue to deliver what you and your local community need.Also standing in Southgate: Brett Christopher Shattock (Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition) Photo: submitted
34. Kevin Ronald Bonnick - Conservative - Three Bridges
My name is Kevin Bonnick and I moved to Crawley in 2017 with my two school-age children. I knew the town as I was a regular visitor and knew it had a lot to offer with great shopping, amenities and lots of opportunities. I still believe this but like many I am becoming increasingly worried about the decline in the town’s overall character. It’s easy to criticise and complain that ‘nothing is being done’ but unless we as a community stand up and do something, it will only get worse. So I am standing for the first time to be a local councillor for the Conservatives in May. I believe in justice, personal freedoms and as an ex-police officer, law and order. I will fight for a safer, cleaner and more prosperous town. I want others to see Crawley as a nice place to live, just like I did. Photo: submitted
35. Danielle Kail – Three Bridges Green
Danielle has lived with her young family in one of the most heavily polluted areas of Crawley for well over 10 years now. Hazelwick Roundabout is located at the centre of Crawley’s only AQMA (Air Quality Management Area). AQMAs are designed to highlight poor air quality in the worst areas, and then local authorities are supposed to bring in measures to improve in these areas. The Hazelwick AQMA has been in place for five years, and instead of progress, we are seeing proposals from the council to extend it into Northgate and up to Three Bridges Station. Danielle, if elected will fight for urgent action on the poor air quality in the area, which can and does effect lives of people young and old in Three Bridges And surrounding areas. She is also a keen environmental activist, hoping to help make the world a liveable and sustainable place for the people of Crawley, the wildlife that we share our world with and her young family to grow up into. Photo: submitted
36. Atif Nawaz - Labour & Cooperative Party - Three Bridges
I have worked hard for Three Bridges since my election in 2021 during a difficult time where we have seen continuous budget cuts by the Tory government. If re-elected I will be a strong advocate for Three Bridges including dealing with anti-social behaviour and keeping the neighbourhood well maintained. I will use my business experience to ensure that Crawley continues to manage its finances as well as possible despite the large reductions in our budget again this year.Also standing in Three Bridges: Muhammed Hanif (Independent),Timothy Christopher Holt (Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition) Photo: submitted