Moulsham and Central (Chelmsford Liberal Democrats)

Here at the local election on Thursday May 5th. you have 3 strong new Liberal Democrat candidates, David Balding, Lois Speller and Ben Wright. "Our aim" they say, "is for you to have the sort of active Borough Councillors you deserve - three Liberal Democrats again for the first time since 2003"

DAVID BALDING David was born at St Johns and has lived in Chelmsford all his life. He was schooled locally at Kings Road and Rainsford High. He went on to study computing at Chelmsford College and completed a bachelor's degree at Anglia Polytechnic University. The scout movement has played a big part of David's younger life; he was a Beaver Scout, Cub Scout and a Scout at the 9^th Chelmsford Scout Troop, after Scouts and during higher education David volunteered as a Beaver Scout leader. He is a very active person and is currently training to complete the Rolex Fastnet race in August. David's highest priority is to make the council more accountable to the tax payers who do not get value for money in the services provided to them. He is ashamed of the prime disused sites in Chelmsford; like the gasworks which continue to sit idle with no viable future in sight. With current house prices still expensively out of the reach of the average wage person wishes to provided more low cost housing without Chelmsford losing its local charm and character
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LOIS SPELLER Lois moved to the area in 1971 , to teach History and English at what has become Great Baddow High School and later taught in the school's Resource Base for Hearing -Impaired Students. She served as a Teacher-Governor and Head of History, and was respected as a conscientious and hard worker. In the Community Always actively involved, she was a volunteer for Samaritans for several years. On leaving Baddow High in 2001, she was asked to join a team of teachers working with deaf and hearing-impaired students at Further Education colleges across central and south Essex. 2009 Lois was instrumental in successfully challenging Essex County Council when it wanted to close this service, suggesting alternative solutions. This has enabled the team to continue giving support to its students. With friends neighbours and residents People observe that Lois has the ability to listen, communicate, and empathize. For her part, she highlights the need for patience, honesty, a sense of humour and last, but certainly not least, common sense. A key member of the team, and resident locally, she comments, "*People love living in Moulsham and Central, but there is much that has been neglected and needs improvement and attention". Among many priorities she highlights addressing* residents' concerns over parking, speeding and 'rat-running' Traffic congestion in the town centre, especially at junctions like those of New Writtle Street / New London Road and Navigation Road/Springfield Road. Late-night anti-social behaviour that causes distress to residents on routes out of town.
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BEN WRIGHT Born in St John's Hospital, Ben is a lifelong Chelmsford resident. His family has always been involved with public service - his grandfather was Deputy Treasurer of the Borough Council and his father Curator of Museums in Southend After school at Sandon and Moulsham High, Ben qualified from the University of Essex as a doctor of neuropsychology. As Head of Policy and Research at the Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisations, a strategic partner of Government, he has worked with Parliament and Central Government Departments, and alongside organisations from international to local in the private, public and voluntary sectors. A key interest is in the environment, on which he campaigns with the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition and is a leading member of Chelmsford's growing "Transition Town" group. He also works with other local organisations including those representing marginalised communities Active in the Community In addition, Ben is Vice-President of and Neuropsychologist for an Essex-based neurological rehabilitation centre for patients and their carers, and researched for the Essex and Southend Local Involvement Network Determined to be accountable and always readily available to residents ,Ben believes the Council can do more to involve and really listen to local people and engage them in the decisions that affect our daily lives promote and support local businesses, training opportunities, local tourism and voluntary organizations help improve transport connections and road and pedestrian safety