Christopher Clark, Conservative Candidate for Rutland County Council, Oakham North East By Election Thursday, November 21st 2024

Christopher Clark, Conservative Candidate for Rutland County Council, Oakham North East By Election Thursday, November 21st 2024

I love living in Oakham and it would be a privilege to be elected as the Conservative Councilor for Oakham North East Ward where I am a resident. 

Oakham has been my home for 20 years now, longer than I've lived anywhere else.  In that time I've been involved with a number of local organisations as Chair, Committee member and in some cases Trustee.  I am a councillor on Oakham Town Council and was the Chair of the Steering Group for the successful submission of the Oakham and Barleythorpe Neighbourhood Plan.   This voluntary work has given me the chance to get to know the town and the needs of its residents.   

I have also been proud to be active for nearly 30 years with probably the most well-known international humanitarian organisation.  I have been both a member of staff and a volunteer.   For over 10 years I was part of a team that supports British Nationals affected by events overseas.  Since the start of Covid in the spring of 2020 I have been a volunteer supervisor on their national support line.  

What about my interests?   For as long as I can remember I have had an interest in horses. Following my retirement from full time employment I trained as a volunteer fence judge / dressage writer at three-day equestrian events.  I have always had an interest in history.  Initially the Anglo Saxon period prior to 1066.  More recently I have focussed to the Plantagenets.  It was fascinating visiting Leicester for the burial of King Richard III.   Perhaps the most significant of the Plantagenet Kings were the Edwards.  We are so fortunate to have a horseshoe from Edward IV in Oakham Castle.  Such an amazing building.

Throughout my working life and afterwards I have developed my skills in building relationships, gaining experience and getting things done all of which, I believe, will help enormously if I am elected to Rutland County Council. 

Oakham and Rutland now face many challenges.  Huge demands are being placed on the way we live our lives from both national and local government.  As your County councillor I will work with colleagues to address these challenges and do all that I am able to, to make sure that your views are taken to an account when decisions are being made to affect your way of life and your well-being.  

Christopher Clark, November 2024

Mobile 07733 334126

e-mail: csjeclark@outlook.com

The Labour candidate has been contacted by Oakham and Rutland News and we are waiting for them to respond:

Kate Ross, for Labour 

Candidates Statements:

Christopher Clark, Conservatives CLICK HERE

Linda Chatfield, Liberal Democrat CLICK HERE

Ben Callaghan, Reform UK CLICK HERE

Ben Callaghan, Reform UK Candidate for Rutland County Council, Oakham North East By Election Thursday, November 21st 2024

Ben Callaghan, Reform UK Candidate for Rutland County Council, Oakham North East By Election Thursday, November 21st 2024

Ben has lived in Rutland since 1970.  He served as an Independent District Councillor from 2015 to 2019, over that time chairing the Growth, Infrastructure and Resources Scrutiny panel as well as serving on many of the other committees. 

After an initial career in the travel industry, working with airlines, travel agencies and hotels, Ben, together with his wife, set up a new business to assist companies with organising corporate events. That business has been running for 14 years (apart from an enforced break during the pandemic when Ben worked at Tesco and then set up a gardening business). 

Ten years ago Ben, together with other local business professionals, set up a business networking group, growing to 50 members, which has helped numerous small businesses to work together and to prosper through mutual benefit, bringing much needed revenue into the county. 

Ben believes in local government being about local issues, such as keeping council tax to a minimum, limiting housing development, and ensuring full availability of GP services, school places for Rutland families, and local sports facilities. The policies and “common sense” approach of Reform are relevant and appropriate for all these issues.

In addition to assisting residents in the Oakham North East ward with their specific local concerns, Ben would see a key role in holding the council and the ruling Liberal Democrats to account. On the doorstep, it is clear that residents feel that nothing has changed, and in some cases they believe that things are worse under the current regime, the closing of the leisure centre being one such major concern.

Email: Bcallaghan.reform@yahoo.com

Mobile: 07936 563091

TThe Labour candidate has been contacted by Oakham and Rutland News and we are waiting for them to respond:

Kate Ross, for Labour 

Candidates Statements:

Christopher Clark, Conservatives CLICK HERE

Linda Chatfield, Liberal Democrat CLICK HERE

Ben Callaghan, Reform UK CLICK HERE

Linda Chatfield, Liberal Democrat Candidate for Rutland County Council, Oakham North East By Election Thursday, November 21st 2024

Linda Chatfield, Liberal Democrat Candidate for Rutland County Council, Oakham North East By Election Thursday, November 21st 2024

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our Liberal Democrat councillor, Hannah Edwards. I had the privilege of knowing Hannah personally, as she worked closely with my husband, Mark, who also serves as a councillor for Oakham North East. Through their collaboration, I witnessed first hand just how exceptional Hannah was and how deeply she cared for our community.

Hannah has left behind an incredible legacy and some very big shoes to fill. I am standing in the upcoming by-election with a commitment to continuing her hard work and building the strongest possible team to represent us.

This community is my home, and I care passionately about our wonderful town. However, years of budget cuts and complacency have left us with significant challenges that need to be addressed.

Take, for instance, our local health services, which have become increasingly strained under previous Conservative-led government cuts. It has become far too difficult for residents to secure GP or NHS dental appointments. This situation simply isn’t acceptable. As your councillor, one of my top priorities will be to campaign for improved healthcare access in our town, including more accessible GP appointments and stronger support for mental health services.

Locally, the Conservative administration left Rutland residents facing one of the highest council tax rates in the country, all while reducing our access to essential facilities and services. I believe we simply cannot afford to let them take office again, especially given how severely they’ve let us down in the past.

In addition to fighting for better healthcare services, I will work tirelessly to protect our green spaces from reckless development, ensuring that any new homes are built in the right areas, with proper infrastructure in place.

Most importantly, I am committed to being open, accountable, and accessible to every resident. I will hold regular advice surgeries and stay in close contact year-round. Unlike some councillors from other parties, I will not disappear after election day.

I believe passionately that the main role of a councillor is to ensure that every voice in our community is heard. If elected, that is precisely what I will strive to achieve.

Please do consider giving me your support on 21st November. Thank you.

linda@rutlandlibdems.co.uk
07921 817332

The Labour candidate has been contacted by Oakham and Rutland News and we are waiting for them to respond:

Kate Ross, for Labour 

Candidates Statements:

Christopher Clark, Conservatives CLICK HERE

Linda Chatfield, Liberal Democrat CLICK HERE

Ben Callaghan, Reform UK CLICK HERE