LOCAL Liberal Democrats have selected Helen Speed and Laura Booth to stand in the two by-elections for Appleton Parish Council on September 7.
The by-elections have been called following the resignations of two councillors. Helen is standing in Thorn Ward and Laura in Cobbs and Hillcliffe Ward.
Laura has lived in Appleton for thirty-seven years and is married to David. They have three grown-up sons who went to local schools and one grandson. She is a retired primary school teacher and has served on the governing body of St Matthew’s Primary School. For many years, Laura was the Parish Secretary of St Matthew’s Church in Stretton and St Cross Church in Appleton Thorn. Her interests include theatre, amateur dramatics, singing, painting and playing bridge. She says, “I am passionate about keeping this lovely area free from overbuilding and preventing the countryside from being destroyed. Maintaining the surface of roads and pavements is important too and as a retired teacher the welfare of children is always high on my agenda.”
Helen is a former Director of Nursing and ran a management consultancy for ten years. She is a past Chair of Healthwatch Warrington and currently chairs the CARE UK Charity which helps people in need. With her colleague Mark Browne, she was elected as a Borough Councillor for Grappenhall and Appleton Thorn last September. Since then she has been working hard to improve the lives of residents on issues such as traffic calming and speeding, new crossings, dropped kerbs, clearing pathways from overgrown bushes and flooding not to mention faster internet services. Helen says, “As a member of the Parish Council team, I will be able to do more to look after the interests of residents in the village. Parish Councils can make a real difference and get things done.”
In a joint statement the two candidates said, “We are very proud that until 2021, the Liberal Democrat run Appleton Parish Council achieved a lot. It funded play equipment, planted trees and flowers, supported the Millennium Green and the Broomfields Youth Project and funded Police Community Support Officers. The Council was a key player in setting up the non party-political South Warrington Parish Councils’ Planning Working Group which has been fighting on behalf of local residents against over-development and the protection of the Green Belt. We are delighted that the Local Plan Inspectors have stuck to their recommendation to keep the land next to the M6 / M56 junction in the Green Belt, but the fight is not over yet, because Langtree is still intent on building the massive logistics site called Six56 there.
Thanks to all those who have completed our summer doorstep survey. We value this because we find out what matters to people. Liberal Democrats work hard all the year round and keep you all in touch with what is going on.”
