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

If you go down the road to Battenhall, which is not being contested this year, Worcester Green Party is slowly making its presence felt, with big efforts being undertaken to gain some momentum.

Yet no rearguard action is needed in St Peter’s, which is a stubbornly happy Tory patch.

No fringe parties are contesting it this year, with the main Conservative, Labour, Green and Ukip quartet putting forward candidates.

This year it’s up to Tory Councillor Roger Knight to retain his seat, who is sitting on a whopping 751 majority from four years ago.

One of the city council’s best known veterans, over the years he has been the deputy leader and cabinet member for cleaner and greener, among his other roles, and is currently the deputy Mayor of Worcester.

In a normal city council year, the incumbent deputy mayor typically goes on to take the chains for 12 months, so a lot is riding on this election for Councillor Knight.

It will be interesting to see how UKIP fares in St Peter’s this year – in 2014 it was runner-up here with 380 votes, one of eight Worcester wards where Nigel Farage’s party finished second.

Ukip’s Paul Hickling will be standing this year.

He will be aiming to at least match what the party achieved last time round – where it appeared to attract many traditional Conservative voters in the ward.

Labour is in the contest once more, putting forward candidate Barbara Dunn, while Nicola Porta is standing for the Greens.

Both will be hoping for better results than in 2014, when Labour pulled 326 votes and the Greens just 122.

This ward is leafy and prosperous and has its own parish council, meaning a strong community spirit exists.

But one of the main issues is congestion, especially around the Ketch island, which is undergoing an £8 million revamp to nearly double in size.

The pressures on the A4440 Southern Link Road is another local concern, especially as part of the route goes right along the ward’s final section of houses.

Almost everyone around here has a view on the South Worcestershire Development Plan too, as the south Worcester urban extension could bring 2,200 new homes, a school and 14 hectares of employment land right on the edge of its doorstep.

BARBARA DUNN (LAB)

DURING my working life I was headteacher at Stanley Road Primary School, where I gained experience and insight into a range of communities, whilst serving the needs of the children and their parents.

I worked alongside governors and staff in this central location, gaining an awareness of the needs of working people, housing and local employment.

More recently I have expanded my music making activities, organising the annual Worcestershire Early Music Festival, and throughout the year providing workshops for those in residential care homes and in day care centres for children and young adults with complex needs.

Through these activities I am able to contribute to the development and promotion of Worcester's fine cultural heritage, which is crucial to our growing visitor economy.

Now I am retired I am able to devote time and energy to local politics and to representing local people in the Guildhall.

This ward needs someone to represent it who is in tune with what is important to young families, working people and older residents.

I am new to the political scene and as a result bring a new perspective based on a wide range of life experiences.

PAUL HICKLING (UKIP)

I’M looking forward to influencing the decision making process that affects your local area.

Apart from the main problems of transport, housing and the environment affecting the St Peter's community, if elected to the city council I will take on any issues that are of concern to local residents.

I will fight on your behalf to improve the quality of life for everyone within the ward. If I become your council representative, no stone will be left unturned where locals are concerned.

I’m 45 and was born in Malvern. I have been living in Worcester for the past three years.

I am a keen rugby fan, having played the game for most of my life.

My working background is in the Insurance industry, mainly in the City of London and later in investment banking overseas.

ROGER KNIGHT (CON)

MY family and I have lived in St Peter’s for 24 years and I have had the honour of representing it on the council for 11 years.

I am asking for your support again because St Peter’s is as important to me as it is to you, and I believe I can continue to be the effective voice our community needs.

Locally, I have championed a number of causes such as improving traffic safety along St Peter’s Drive, enhancements to our play areas and greenspaces and tackling litter and dog fouling issues.

I have never been afraid to roll up my sleeves and lend a hand, and can often be found conducting community litter picks.

This year I have had the privilege of representing our city as its deputy mayor and this has given me a great insight into the many voluntary and community organisations that do so much to make our city such a great place to live. 

I always try to improve our local area and if re-elected I will continue to put St Peter’s needs first.

NICOLA PORTER (GREEN)

I HAVE lived in Worcester all of my life and have a long family connection with the City.

I spent my school years at Redhill Primary and Worcester Girls’ Grammar School. I then qualified as a secretary at Worcester Technical College.

I don’t think that one can ever stop learning and have undertaken various courses, including qualifying as a hairdresser 10 years ago. 

I am also studying towards a degree with the Open University.

I am a strict vegetarian and an ardent supporter of animal rights and environmental issues.

I try to be as self-sufficient as I possibly can and grow many of my own vegetables, having taken over my dad’s allotments since he suffered with a stroke a few years ago.

I believe in community spirit and will help out anyone who needs it.

I also volunteer to help feed and save street animals in Avsallar, Turkey, as well as undertake various fundraising activities for them to raise money.