County Council Elections on 6th May: Gareth Owen-Williams

Elections to East Sussex County Council and for the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner are being held on Thursday 6th May.

Two people will be elected to represent Crowborough – one to serve “Crowborough North & Jarvis Brook” and another for “Crowborough South & St Johns”.  Crowborough Life has invited each of the candidates to send a short statement about themselves explaining why they would like you consider voting for them. 

This is the election address from Gareth Owen-Willams.

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I have lived in Crowborough for thirty years and brought up my family here so I know what a fantastic place this is. The sense of community is incredible for such a large town. When we hold our annual Fun Day, the centre is full of families enjoying the space and I believe that this should happen more often to encourage footfall.

I want to boost our centre with better shops, restaurants and cafes, increase facilities for young and old and regain the sense of pride this town used to have. Whatever happens at the election, I’ll be putting together a Forum to look at how this can be achieved.

For the last two year I’ve been saddened, watching how a few councillors run our district, regardless of what we know residents are demanding and now I see the same people looking to control our county. With voters’ support I’ll fight to bring back representation to Crowborough.

In my time as a councillor, I’ve learnt the importance of listening to people. Residents in different areas have different needs and officers can hold the answers to many issues. I’m here to learn and to look with a fresh eye at what can be done. I won’t rely just on my own experience but will look for people who have additional skills and understanding.

I’ve been involved in the community for so many years that I believe people trust me to fight for them and our town.

It’s well known that Central Government has slashed county income in the last few years but I feel that there’s a huge lack of imagination in protecting services such as our Children’s Centre and our Library – not to mention our Highways!

Crowborough has a high percentage of senior citizens and also young families. They need our support – not tightened budgets and closed facilities.

While helping to run Supporting Crowborough for the last year and collecting prescriptions for the vulnerable, I’ve been inspired by what ordinary people can do in their neighbourhoods. Volunteers from Brighter Crowborough clean our streets and many other organisations do a great job out of concern for others. Why are ordinary, decent people not allowed to help their neighbours, thus enabling services like libraries and community centres to continue within tight budgets, rather than simply close?

I’ve watched how other authorities have worked outside the box and involved the community and it works.

I look forward to feedback because everyone has something to offer and we really are all in this together. Please contact me with praise or criticism.

Main priorities:

1. Boost our Town Centre
2. Change our Highways priorities
3. Protect vital services

Contact details:

• Website: https://wealdenlibdems.org.uk/en/page/gareth-owen-williams
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GarethOWLibDem/
• Telephone number: 07860 659122
• Email address: gareth.ow.libdems@gmail.com

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