Gloucester City Council Tuffley by-election candidates

Tuffley voters head to the polls next week to elect a councillor to represent them on Gloucester City Council.

The Tuffley ward by-election was triggered by the death of much-loved former mayor Colin Organ earlier this year.

And the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Labour have each fielded a candidate for the poll on October 13.

Lorraine Campbell, who has lived in Tuffley for 53 years, is the Tory candidate. She says has established links with every school, church, group, club and organisation in the ward.

She said: “I attended Whaddon Junior and Ribston Hall School, where I now work as an invigilator, founded ‘Footlights’, a weekly voluntary community

Nostalgia and Friendship Group for over 55s, at St Barnabas Hall, and led on a number of community campaigns including saving the post box on Fox Elms Road.

“I’ve always had a passion for Tuffley and was involved in a variety of community projects with my dear friend, the late Councillor Colin Organ. I hope to continue the wonderful work that he established here in Tuffley.

“My main missions are to stop the proposed plan to build over 3,000 houses at Whaddon, to continue to secure funding for resurfacing of our local roads and keep investing in our wonderful local asset of Robinswood Hill.”

Liberal Democrat candidate Caroline Courtney, who lives in Stroud Road with her husband daughter and two dogs, says she will be the challenger to the Conservatives.

She is an IT consultant and has worked locally for Eagle Star, Zurich Financial Services and TSB.

While studying she worked part-time part time as a playworker at Podsmead Neighbourhood Project.

And when Russia invaded Ukraine, her family wanted to help and they joined the Homes for Ukraine scheme. They now share their home with two refugees who have fled the war-torn state.

Caroline says she has a strong record of voluntary work, including as a befriender to adults and children with learning disabilities and mental health issues.

During the first Covid-19 lockdown, she joined a telephone bank service calling vulnerable households to ensure they had access to food and medical supplies and to signpost any sources of support and assistance.

“I am delighted to have been selected by the Liberal Democrats to stand in Tuffley,” she said.

And Labour candidate Tracy Millard says she will be working to help those affected in Tuffley by the cost of living crisis and holding the council to account.

She says she has always stood up for work colleagues to ensure fairness for all.

“As school governor of a local school and being a panellist for the adoption panel I am always fighting to ensure the voice of the minority is heard.

“As the county councillor in 2013 this is what I stood for, ensuring the voice of all Tuffley residents was heard

“I will be trying to ensure the roads and footpaths are maintained, repairing potholes, making footpaths safe and clearing weeds and litter. Ensuring affordable homes to buy and rent are available to residents.

“That such homes are built with full consideration to a proper infrastructure being in place.

“Considering the impacts to local people. And working to increase funding and support for community projects and voluntary organisations.”

By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk