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STATEMENTS BY RUSTHALL'S NEW PARISH COUNCILLORS ELECTED ON THURSDAY 5 MAY 2011

I have lived in Parsonage Road for 20 years. I worked as a medical librarian at Kent & Sussex Hospital for several years before retirement. I have two adult children and two grandchildren with whom I enjoy spending time.

In 2004 I set up the Rusthall Village Association to start to give the v illage a voice and we have had many useful meetings. RVA will continue for the foreseeable future. I am also involved with Rusthall Local History Group, Rusthall Lodge Care Home and in the past the youth club and the Bonfire Committee.

I have campaigned recently for the Parish Council to be set up and I am standing as a councillor because I strongly believe that it will give Rusthall more influence over decisions that affect us all.

I look forward to helping with a village plan, consulting residents regularly and remaining within our budget. Lights, salt bins, pot holes all need more attention and support for businesses is vital. Provision for older youth is sadly lacking in our village and speeding/parking is a never ending problem! However - Rusthall is a great village – let's keep it great!

Dear Friends and Neighbours

This year sees the establishment of a Rusthall Parish Council.

The word ‘parish,’ although borrowed from the church, has in this case no religious connection. The parish council will be able to take over some matters from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council such as Recreation Grounds and Open Spaces, Allotments and Footpaths, with Planning Committee to give an opinion to the Borough on applications. There will also be a paid part-time clerk. In the future it could take on more roles but things like refuse collection and business rates stay with the Borough.

I have lived in the village for nearly 30 years. I was employed locally in the printing industry for nearly 35 years. Currently I run my own small business from home and take a large part in the care of my family. In the last few years I have kept an allotment in Grange Road/Wickham Gardens.

A comparitively small fraction of your Council Tax is set aside for village purposes. I believe this can be managed more effectively for the residents and businesses of Rusthall by those who live or work in the community than as part of an area wide strategy. The first task of the members of a newly formed parish council is to demonstrate the benefits of truly local representation in its first four year term.

Please support whoever is elected and don’t hesitate to contact your parish councillors on any village matter. They are volunteering their own time and efforts for our community.

Jonathan Clark is married with 3 children and has lived in Rusthall for 7 years.

Jonathan has been an active member of the Rusthall Village Association for a number of years and would like to continue his work as a Parish Councillor.

If elected, Jonathan would be an active member of the Parish Council with the following objectives:

• Traffic calming along Lower Green Road
As a resident of this road I see cars and motorcycles travelling too fast and it can only be a matter of time before there is a serious accident.

• Public Toilets
The village public toilets were closed a number of years ago. I would like them re-instated or new ones built for the villagers to use.

• Litter
We live in a village surrounded by areas of outstanding natural beauty – let's try and keep the village clean of litter by organising regular litter collection days.

My name is Clare Codd and I live at 2 Tristan Gardens, Rusthall. I came to live in Tunbridge Wells when I was 8 (my husband came to Rusthall when he was one) and we moved out to Rusthall 14 years ago. I worked for many years for a firm of solicitors in Tunbridge Wells and ended up as head of the Wills and Probate Department. I do voluntary work with Age Concern and Hospice in the Weald in Pembury, together with an afternoon a week at the Rusthall Hospice shop.

I would very much like to become more involved with the Rusthall community, and I do believe that far more can be achieved by a Parish Council working with a recognisable identity than by individuals. I hope there will be discussion in many areas, such as provision for the young and the old, the business community, social housing, and making Rusthall an even more agreeable place in which to live."

I am seeking your support to become one of nine Parish Councillors in Rusthall. I live in the village with my wife and run an IT company in Tunbridge Wells. Growing up in Rusthall I have felt a strong sense of community and I intend to ensure this feedling remains. I believe that I have the right qualities to offer as a councillor and represent the parish.

If you elect me I will work towards:

Providing a voice for the residents of Rusthall

Campaigning for fair distribution of local funding

Encouraging support for Rusthall's business community

Offering a common sense opinion on local issues

Extending public transport services to the new hospital

Improving youth services within the village

Serving my community to the best of my ability

My name is Jane Geer and I have lived in the Parsonage Road area of Rusthall for eighteen years. I am married with one daughter and work within the NHS.

I think the Parish Council will give the Village a bigger voice and identity of its own.

I would be very proactive in supporting local businesses and amenities in order that they remain active in the village.

As Parish Councillor I believe all problems brought to me are relevant and would be acted upon.

We are all an important part of one Village
OUR VILLAGE!

I am 25 years old and I have lived in Rusthall all of my life. My family have also lived here all of their lives and each one of us has grown up and watched Rusthall change over many years.

I am running for Rusthall Parish Council as the age group 18-40 is massively under-represented by a majority of local councils. I believe that I can bring a youthful perspective to the Parish Council and I do believe that the younger generation plays a key part in the future success of the village.

One of the first things I would try and implement is a five year plan stating the direction of the Parish Council and the issues that it should tackle first. This can be done by holding open days with residents and liaising with other Parish Councils to see if we could collaborate on certain services to reduce cost. I also believe that a sinking fund should be set up to accumulate funds that will help fund anything that could potentially be quite costly and I believe that this would help keep the cost of Council Tax to a minimum.

My other key issues would be the following:

Maria Simmons
Representing the Voice of the Community Denny Bottom Area

2011 is an exciting year for Rusthall with the creation of a Parish Council. I ask for your vote to take on the challenge of improving community well-being and providing better services.

I was first introduced to Tunbridge Wells at TWGGS, subsequently working in the Personnel Department of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council gaining valuable insight into neighbourhood governance. Drawing also on skills gained during my subsequent career in management consultancy, I feel able to offer the necessary tenacity to effect change.

I have lived in Rusthall for over 23 years and am well known to local families also by connection with Bishops Down Primary School through my 4 children. I am well versed in committee work and am currently campaigning to resolve local parking issues, supporting the needs of Rusthall traders and residents alike. This is localism in action!

I fully support the Parishing of Rusthall and eagerly anticipate the challenges that lie ahead, knowing that we, as a village, will have far more autonomy in terms of running our community.

I believe that this is a change for the better which will be hugely beneficial for Rusthall over the coming years. I instigated the provision of much needed litter bins near the entrance to Hurst Woods and am currently masterminding a cycle/boardwalk from Woodside Road to Coniston Avenue in order to replace the existing 'condemned' walking bus route.

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