Friday, March 29, 2024
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Independent vote hope

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Alvechurch district and parish councillor Kate Van Der Plank is to carry the independent torch into the upcoming county council elections.

She has decided to run for the county division of Alvechurch as fellow independent Charlie Hotham steps aside after four years in the role.

Worcestershire County Council is the “top” tier of local government, by size and budget, followed by Bromsgrove District Council and then the various parish councils.

County elections are expected to be held in May.

Both Coun Van Der Plank (left) and Coun Hotham are also independent councillors at Bromsgrove and parish councillors in Alvechurch and Barnt Green, respectively.

Coun Hotham (left) told The Village: “It has been a pleasure to represent the Alvechurch division. It’s been challenging, but I am pleased that my campaigning helped reverse the decision to close Alvechurch library and that I have been successful in negotiating speed reductions in some of our busy village centres.”

Now, more than ever, he said it was important to have independent, community minded councillors fighting for the interest of local residents, rather than party political representatives focusing on “political rhetoric, which is just not relevant”.
Coun Hotham added: “I hope this division will continue to be represented by an independent councillor and I am delighted Kate is standing for election in this seat.

“I have seen first-hand the huge contribution she has made at council and in her ward.”

Coun Van Der Plank said: “I have lived in Alvechurch for more than 20 years now and served on the district council for more than four years so I know the area well and have a good understanding of local issues as well as the role of councillor and workings of local government.

“As a county councillor there are a number of things I would be pushing for: I want to see environmentally friendly public transport with new, smarter routes.

“I want improvements to our roads, we need pavement and street light repairs and I’d also push for measures to reduce speeding through our village centres.”