Worcester elections 2024: St Clement ward candidates

Eight candidates from five parties will be fighting for two seats on Worcester City Council representing the ward when the polls open on May 2.

The last city council election in St Clement delivered a dramatic result, with the Green Party’s Tor Pingree ousting then-Tory council leader Chris Mitchell by 730 votes to 615 in May 2023.

In 2021, council stalwart Simon Geraghty had been re-elected comfortably but he has since stepped down from the city council to focus on his role as leader of Worcestershire County Council.

Bertie Ballinger - Conservatives

Bertie Ballinger (Image: Bertie Ballinger)

Since moving back to Worcester from Cheltenham, where I attended university, I have thrown myself into the community. I have a passion for green spaces and the environment, and joined the Friends of Laugherne Brook to help improve the quality of the brook, the nature reserve, and its connecting park, Oldbury Road Playing Field, where I helped to plant six fruit trees in February.

I am an avid runner, and a member of the Black Pear Joggers. I will continue to speak with residents and support new and existing plans for walking routes, cycle paths, and parks. As a user of the Comer Gardens Institute, where I do Zumba, I know the importance of this single council community facility and support its future development.

I grew up in St Clement and am proud to run to become its city councillor. Whatever the outcome of the election, I will continue to support community activities across St Clement.

Ian Craigan - Labour

Ian Craigan (Image: Ian Craigan)

I’ve lived and worked in Worcester for over 30 years, supporting community development and managing the Sure Start early years programme across the city. I’m now a storyteller in schools and nurseries, a busy musician and folk dancer, a school governor and Anglican worship leader.

I was the city’s first Mayor’s Orator for over 400 years. I’ve loved bringing up a family in St Clement and I want to secure the very best for all my neighbours. My priorities are to:

· Protect and develop Worcester's creative talent and cultural heritage.

· Work closely with the university and student bodies to reduce antisocial activity and increase community benefit.

·Seize opportunities presented by the new Kepax footbridge to enhance and build on the city’s Active Travel Plan, enabling more people to walk and cycle.

· Increase and enhance parks, play areas and open spaces in the ward and across the city

Seb James - Conservatives

Seb James (Image: Seb James)

Seb is a local candidate and lives with his partner in St Clement’s Ward. Having met many residents in the ward, Seb has a real passion for his local residents and wants to serve the community he loves.

Seb has met many residents in St Clement’s and wants to be the friendly, approachable, and local face, who people can turn to for assistance when they need it. Representing his neighbourhood and his wider community is something Seb looks forward to, should he be elected.

Alex Kinnersley - Green Party

Alex Kinnersley (Image: Alex Kinnersley)

I came to Worcester 25 years ago for work and have enjoyed living here with my family ever since.

I have been interested in environmental issues all my life and my first jobs were in nature conservation. However, it was during the dry summer of 2022, looking at my parched brown garden, that I decided to get actively involved with Worcester Green Party as I wanted to do something positive to tackle the big issues we all now face.

I have spent a lot of time talking to St Clement residents over the last few months and if elected I would continue to listen to local people in the area, and work hard to deliver small changes such as getting a drain unblocked or pavement fixed, as well as tackling bigger issues such as trying to improve the safety of roads for cyclists and pedestrians and reduce the impact of flooding on the city.

Steve Mather - Liberal Democrats

(no photo provided)

I’ve lived on Henwick Road since 2011, and worked on the railways for over 20 years. I’m an experienced activist and union rep who wishes to lend my compassion, vision and voice to the city.
I’m a proud campaigner, passionate about our rights and well-being, especially for those who face real hardships. I understand that all residents should be represented on the council, and I want a greater say for our residents to forge a better future for us all.
St Clement ward is where I live, and I want to see a city that we can be proud of, with clean air, rivers and streets, for the health and well-being of all our residents. I want to see investment in our communities working with businesses to better support our local economy. I also want to see best practices used by our councils, drawing upon how other authorities achieve results.

Tor Pingree - Green Party

Tor Pingree (Image: Contributed)

I've been a Worcester resident my whole life. I was raised in St John’s and my family still live and work in the area. I'm passionate about helping residents of St Clement and across Worcester. Alongside being a city councillor, I teach music technology A-level at Worcester Sixth Form College.
My main goals include ensuring warm, well-insulated homes, making sure any new homes are built to the highest possible standards, pushing for better bus and active travel routes, supporting small businesses to boost our local economy, and enhancing Worcester's appeal by enriching our arts and culture scene.
So far, as a councillor for St Clement, I've tackled a wide range of issues including parking, planning, and wildlife management. City-wide, I've collaborated with fellow councillors to enhance air quality and promote active travel. If re-elected, I aim to continue this work and achieve more for Worcester residents.

Jacqui Wilde - Labour

Jacqui Wilde (Image: Jacqui Wilde)

I was born and brought up in Worcester, spending the first 23 years of my life living in St John’s. My family have lived in St John’s since the late 1800s and many still live there. So I know the area well and understand the issues facing residents in St Clement ward.

Through my work in healthcare and education, supporting people with disabilities and children with Special Educational Needs, I see all too often how cuts to essential services have had an impact on those most in need.

There’s no easy fix to the problems we face locally and nationally, but I know that the Labour Party offers the only hope that we can get things back on track. 

As your Labour councillor, I would give priority to serving you and making sure local businesses and services in the ‘Village in the City’ are protected and promoted.

Max Windsor-Peplow - Reform UK

No profile or photo provided.