Labour is the only party contesting all nine seats that are up for election on Craven District Council on  3 May 2018

This is our team

AIRE VALLEY WITH LOTHERSDALE

Brian McDaid

Brian has lived in the Craven area for 13 years and been a senior trade union officer for more than ten years. He represents workers in the finance sector across the UK employed by Skipton Building Society and Computershare (previously HML).
He is a parent governor for Brooklands Community Special School and for The Craven Pupil Referral Service (PRS).
He says: “I am passionate about representing people and communities and ensuring everyone is treated fairly and equally. I promise that as a local councillor I will hold regular surgeries to hear the views of residents. I believe that as a community we need to protect the environment. The council can play its part, for instance through providing mini-recycling centres. I also want more done by both the council and dog owners to deal with the problem of dog mess on our streets.”

 

BENTHAM

John Howard Matthew

Howard was born and brought up in Bentham returning six years ago. He has worked both in local government and the voluntary sector and has a broad experience of both committee work and service delivery.
He has worked closely with the health service, local government officers, councillors, the police and is concerned about the gradual erosion of public services.
He says: “I firmly believe that district councillors should be locally focused and I am keen to provide a voice for those views that are stifled by the one party domination of the district council.
Younger families often feel the effect of poorer working conditions and lack of access to suitable employment. The farming community can be isolated and their problems ignored. It is these groups which need particular support to make our district a stronger and more vibrant community.”

GARGRAVE AND MALHAMDALE

Nick Parker

Nick grew up in Skipton and attended what is now Settle College. After six years working as a civil servant in Bradford, he went to university as an adult student and obtained a first class degree in International History and Politics from Leeds University. Now 31, Nick lives and works in Skipton.

He says: “I am a strong believer in civic activism and the potential that politics and the Labour Party have to improve people’s lives. I have a lot of experience in representing and assisting the public and will be assiduous in meeting residents, understanding their concerns, and seeking to find solutions.” He is keen to promote local business alongside improved public services and affordable housing. His particular concern is poor public transport within the ward, with an infrequent bus service between Gargrave and Malham and few trains stopping at Gargrave.

 

GLUSBURN

Paul Routledge
Paul Routledge is a journalist living and working in Glusburn ward, where he’s been resident for ten years.
A proud Yorkshireman by birth, he says “If elected, I will work hard to represent the interests of the people of Glusburn and Crosshills.
“Top of my agenda would be the problem of traffic through the village, and the weak enforcement of speed limits by the authorities who fail to live up to their responsibilities.
“I’m also keen to ensure that we sustain proper funding for village facilities, particularly Glusburn Park, which is such a fine amenity for local people.”

HELLIFIELD AND LONG PRESTON

John Pope

Since moving to Skipton in 2013 John has become an active member of the local Labour Party and a number of charities and community organisations
John was Chair of Barrowford Parish Council in Pendle for five years. He worked with Pendle MP Gordon Prentice on the 2010 election campaign. John and his wife Pen have three grown-up sons.
John taught IT in Higher Education and then moved into consultancy and training. He is now retired.
John believes that “by the strength of our common endeavour we achieve more than we achieve alone”. He says that Craven District Council should practice this!

INGLETON AND CLAPHAM

Janine Bickerstaff

Janine is a working mum with two children at Ingleton Primary School. She enjoys the local countryside as a family and feels very lucky to live in such a beautiful place. One of the reasons she loves living here is being part of a community with such great community spirit; there are an amazing number of voluntary organisations in the area – and she help out with local groups whenever she can. She says: “I’ve seen the services in the area dwindle in recent years and feel it shouldn’t always be expected that volunteers will fill the gaps when funding is withdrawn. I’ve always voted Labour and wanted people to have the chance to vote Labour in these elections.”

PENYGHENT

Virpi Kettu

Virpi, 43, is a digital media, design and film making professional. She was involved with Wallace and Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and the Burn the Witch video for Radiohead. She is active in a local culture scene by organising the successful Skipton Girls Rock Camp with Selfa and as a founding member and director of Craven Arts; a charity connecting audiences with local artists and creative people.
Before moving to England she was politically and culturally active in her native Finland and in Canada as a dual citizen. She is passionate about championing inclusion and fairness for all ages and abilities in the society.
Virpi said: “In my life I have learned a lot about politics and communities by living in different countries and I want to have the chance to bring that experience to bear here for the local benefit.”

 

SETTLE AND RIBBLEBANKS

Simon Joe Lord

Joe has lived in Giggleswick and Settle for most of his life. He is currently a teacher at Giggleswick Primary School and holds a national position in the National Education Union (the new union created from an amalgamation of two of the country’s largest teaching unions). Formerly a youth worker in the area, he is keen to support youth provision, and has been an active supporter of the Settle Skate Park project. He was first elected to Settle Town Council in 2008, and has served two terms as Town Mayor. Joe says: “I am passionate about representing this area, and will work with residents, organisations, and businesses to ensure a sustainable and vibrant community for future generations. This is a fantastic place to live and work, and I will be a strong and vocal advocate on the District Council.”

 

SUTTON IN CRAVEN

Tony Alderson

Tony Alderson, 51, lives in Skipton with his wife, Rano, and pet rabbit, Bertie. He moved to the area from his native north-east two years ago to enjoy the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales. Tony is a Chemical Engineer, working for a multi-national engineering consultancy where he focusses on the development of low-carbon energy. Tony enjoys walking and cycling and is an avid lover of nature, being a supporter of several wildlife charities. Tony has always had a strong interest in politics, and recently studied to obtain a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics with the Open University, an institution that he greatly admires. Tony believes that we are privileged to live in such a beautiful part of the country, and that it is our responsibility to ensure that it is preserved for future generations to enjoy.