The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have announced their candidates for next month’s county council by-election in the Brent Knoll area.
District councillor John Denbee, who lives in Chapel Allerton, will be representing the Conservatives and town councillor Helen Groves, from Burnham, will stand on behalf of the Lib Dems.
The election for the vacant Brent seat follows the death of long-serving councillor Alan Ham, who passed away on September 20th following a short illness.
The deadline for nominations for candidates closed on Friday and the election is due to take place on December 1st. The last day to apply for postal votes is 16th November.
John told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I have lived in the area all my life and know the locality and many of the residents very well. I truly believe in the local government system together with the duty it has to provide the right services, at the right cost for the benefit of those living in the area. I am also keen to continue the good work Alan has done for our local area, he will be a hard act to follow but I can promise, if elected, I will do my best to represent everyone to the best of my ability.”
Helen believes in serving local communities and is on the Boards of Burnham’s Octopus Children’s Centre and her local residents asociation. She’s both a residents’ advocate to the Council and the liaison link for her Community Hall.
She said: “I care passionately about our rural communities and landscape and I will work with and support you to preserve Somerset’s natural environment.”
She added: “I fully understand the importance of renewable energy, but I do not believe it is necessary to destroy the natural beauty of the Somerset Levels to achieve this.”
Helen has spent the majority of her working life within the financial and business sectors and says that if she’s elected she will fight to ensure that local services are preserved and delivered efficiently. “I believe many of the current reductions to our services are ill-considered and represent false economies. A good understanding of fiscal management is crucial in the current challenging economic environment. I will strive to bring common sense and financial acumen to County Hall.”
