Ward focus: Worcester City Council's St John's ward

This is one of Worcester’s most vibrant wards where the huge numbers of students, lively university and shops make it eventful to say the least.

There’s a constant transition of people coming in and out of the ward, including young professionals, but a solid core of elderly residents, meaning any councillor here has their hands full.

Congestion is a long-standing concern, as is the South Worcestershire Development Plan, where a ‘west Worcester urban extension’ of 800 homes, a school, restaurants, shops and businesses north of the A44 Bromyard Road, by Dines Green is on the agenda.

The expected expansion of the west side is an issue which is sure to become more of a hot potato in the forthcoming years.

Given the size of St John’s there are three city council seats here, and this year it’s the turn of Labour and Co-operative veteran Richard Udall to defend his.

The left winger is never far away from the headlines, both in his city council role and at Worcestershire County Council, where he represents the same area and is Labour’s rural affairs spokesman.

The other two seats are held by Labour’s Matthew Lamb and Chris Cawthorne.

It hasn’t gone unnoticed that UKIP have been canvassing here in recent weeks, believing there is untapped potential for some support on the west side.

The city branch has been locating a stall by the Ladbrokes bookmakers along the main St John’s thoroughfare and is fielding James Goad, the party’s Worcester parliamentary candidate, in the seat.

And last year it was runner up here, with activist Richard Delingpole getting 521 votes compared to 822 for Labour’s Matthew Lamb.

There are six candidates here with Irene Deamer standing for the Tories, Marjory Bisset for the Greens, Alan Draper for the BNP and Mark Davies from Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts.

Councillor Udall will hope to build on his 2011 result when he polled 1,150 votes to keep it by 560.

Whether UKIP can keep up the momentum it forged here last year is unclear, but it will expect to be firmly in the contest, while the Conservatives will hope to do considerably better than 2014, when it came third with 309 votes.

One thing is for sure - it’s never dull in St John’s.

IRENE DEAMER (CON)

FOR many years I have sat back and have only thought about politics. I have always voted but never taken it any further. I now feel I must do more.

I have a wealth of experience that I know I can put to use should I be elected.

I was evacuated from London during the blitz and worked in factories after leaving school at 15.

I have been a business woman running a successful estate agent in a male dominated profession. I am a mother, grandmother, a pensioner and a widow all of which has taught the value of managing on less and helping those less fortunate.

In my spare time I work in a charity shop in Worcester city centre. I will never take your vote for granted. If I should be fortunate enough to represent you I will give my all and always be ready to help.

Living on the West side of Worcester I know what a great community St John’s is, but together we can make it even better.

RICHARD UDALL (LAB)

I was born in St John’s and I continue to live and work in the area; my family have lived in St John’s for generations.   I understand and I am familiar with the concerns, wishes and aspirations of local people.

If re-elected I will work with local agencies to reduce the growing problem of anti social behaviour and to improve the quality of life of those suffering from noise, disturbance and bad behaviour. 

I will campaign to provide new and improved play facilities for St John’s and to keep them publically owned and free to use.

Traffic issues are always a big concern in St John’s; I will continue to be a leading campaigner for the ring road to be completed around the city with a new road bridge to the north of Worcester, taking through traffic away from St John’s streets.

I believe we need better and more affordable public transport, providing better access to medical centres and hospitals. 

I will work with the St John’s Traders Association to secure a better future for St John’s shops, keeping the area open for business.  I hope to remain a strong voice for St John’s in the Council Chamber

MARK DAVIES (TUSC)

The establishment parties continue to proclaim their programme of austerity, public services continue being cut and we, the 99%, continue to feel the effects.

  But the super-rich 1% continue to get richer; we were not in it together then, we are not in it together now.  

UKIP are keener on cutting taxes and blaming immigrants, rather than restoring public services.

Where the Greens have had the opportunity they have been reluctant to implement cuts, but they have continued to do so.

TUSC are the only party that pledges to oppose all cuts to council jobs, services, pay and conditions. TUSC will reject increases in council tax, rent and service charges.  TUSC councillors will vote against the privatisation of council jobs and services.

For a party that allows you to express your anger about cuts in public services.  For a party that gives you a polictical voice as a working person. 

For a party that will provide real opposition to austerity.  Vote TUSC 7 May.

MARJORY BISSET (GREEN)

I am a newcomer to Worcester, having moved here towards the end of last year. I am a semi-retired freelance copy-editor, and had a long career in the IT industry as a technical author.

Where I used to live, Shinfield near Reading, I was very involved in the local community as a parish councillor and school governor.

I stood for the Green Party in the local council elections six times in Shinfield, and also stood in the general election in 2010.

I like Worcester and am enthusiastic about making it an even more attractive city, with more green spaces, a more pleasant urban environment and better public transport.

l want to see more openness and transparency in government at the local level. 

I believe we must not lose sight of the bigger picture – the need to act now to keep the worst effects of global warming and depletion of natural resources at bay.

ALAN DRAPER (BNP)

IF you vote for the other parties you will be lied to and betrayed again. Labour the warmongers, who want open borders and immigration.
The Tories, who promised a referendum yet failed to deliver it, also failed to cut immigration.
The Lib Dems who do as the Tories say. The Green Party want an amnesty for 600,000 illegal immigrants to stay here.
UKIP who are not what they appear, but in fact are just Tories on media hype.
If you want action on Britain’s problems vote BNP.
On a local level we would offer free parking at the hospital and priority for Worcester people for jobs, training and housing.

JAMES GOAD (UKIP)

St John has a number of local issues: the excess of Homes of Multiple Occupancy, street parking (particularly during University term time) traffic congestion, a lack of municipal leisure areas and some circuitous bus routes.

I will support any measures to alleviate these problems for the ward constituents. Furthermore, I will support any measure to enhance the quality of life for this city’s residents, on the proviso that it is not a burden on the taxpayer.

I support an ongoing freeze in Council Tax rates and a free daytime parking period.  I will engage with local people to find the most cost-effective solutions for the community.

I see a great future for Worcester; a city with enormous potential, both in terms of its people and its modern and historic assets.

I’m 43 and have lived in Worcester since 2001. I work as a heritage specialist within a civil engineering consultancy.