Voters will go to the polls on Thursday 4 May to elect their representatives on High Peak Borough Council. Here's your guide to candidates standing in Buxton, who were asked to tell us what they aim to do for the area.

Barms

Ben Evens, Green Party

I have been a resident of Buxton for over 40 years and am a long-standing member of the Green Party.

A retired primary school head teacher, I am a founder member of Transition Buxton and responsible for co-ordinating the growth and maintenance of our Community Orchard.

I am a Quaker. My interests include long-distance walking, gardening, and folk music.

Rachael Quinn, Labour

I am standing again because I continue to believe that it is absolutely vital that people are represented by councillors who live in their area and share their concerns.

If I am re-elected as your councillor I will fight for solutions to the traffic problems that affect our area, making sure that the problem of HGVs going through residential areas is tackled and pushing for solutions to the problem of congestion and poor air quality on Fairfield Road.

We need more than a sticking plaster for this.

I will work with community groups to protect and improve our green spaces making sure that our play areas and green areas are conserved and improved.

I will also continue to do everything that I can to secure funding to continue improving facilities and conservation - be a strong voice for residents who are concerned about the possible results of development in the area.

Colin Woodhouse, Conservative

I fell in love with Buxton the first time I visited in November 2019.

I was attracted by the stunning scenery, the architecture, and the town centre.

In the last 18 months, these attractions have grown on me and have been enhanced by Buxton’s history and its residents.

I want to build a sustainable process with residents’ input that gives every resident a voice to air their needs, wants and wishes and allows each to see that their voice has been listened to through continuous feedback and visible actions.

I will build the process by knocking on doors and hearing the issues that residents have.

I would most like to improve the access that residents have to our councils and ensure their issues are resolved quickly.

Burbage

Steve Clark, Conservative

I was born and brought up in Derbyshire (Dronfield) and have spent many happy hours in the High Peak over the years.

After university, I moved away and worked for 35 years as a lawyer in London and Manchester.

When I retired, I moved to Buxton and now feel strong links to the town.

It is one of the best places to live in the county and I would very much like to maintain and improve the quality of life for the residents here, particularly in Burbage.

I will be getting out and about to meet voters over the next few months with a view to obtaining a better understanding of the local issues and what residents want to see the council deliver.

I know that the local Conservative team work really hard to support our local community.

I know there are local concerns, about parking and grit bins in our area.

I will work with Linda Grooby, Tony Kemp and Robert Largan MP to continue to try to improve the area and very much look forward to meeting local residents.

Samantha Flower, Green Party

Representing Burbage for the last two terms, Samantha says she resigned from the Conservative Party over a year ago due to her sense of outrage over the way the government handled issues round the pandemic, seen while working full-time in Adult Social Care.

She said: “I joined the Green Party shortly after as their values align with mine.

“Climate change is real and it is here and we need to do all that is within our power to prevent further damage to our planet, such as home insulation, retro-fitting of green energies to homes, investing in green and renewable energies that will not only be good for our planet, but our bank balances.

“We are suffering from the energy crisis currently; my own gas and electric bills have increased more than 100 per cent and this is the fault of the Conservative government who did not deliver on the promises to develop green energies and insulate our homes.

“The Green Party is fully committed to making this happen.

“This is why I stand with them and I am honoured to be one of their candidates.

“The Green Party will deliver on their promises and help their constituents with the energy crisis and the cost-of-living crisis with real solutions.”

Chris Payne, Labour Party

My family and I chose to live in Buxton 13 years ago, attracted by an historic family connection to the Peak District and its natural beauty.

It’s important to me that we look after the environment.

My commitment is to report issues when I see them, or they are raised with me.

If elected, Chris has pledged to develop a plan for snow, focussing on the provision of grit bins in areas where these are needed.

Other pledges include ensuring there are enough bins to reduce litter; working hard to support the great community groups that exist in Burbage and improve facilities across the town for the benefit of everyone.

He says his first focus will be to get the potholes fixed and put pressure on Derbyshire County Council to fix speed signs and surfaces.

Buxton Central

Julie Butterworth, Conservative

A lifelong Buxtonian hailing from a farming and quarrying family, what better place to live and work than Buxton and the High Peak.

I made Buxton market place my home and for the past 15 years I have worked here too as a business communications specialist working closely with local businesses.

I have a great passion for helping people and would like to offer Buxton Central residents and businesses a voice and represent them well and work to improve our town centre for the better.

Payge Hacking, Labour

I’m standing to be the councillor for Buxton Central.

I’ve lived in Buxton all my life, so like you, I am immersed in the issues we all deal with.

Such as the lack of things to do for teenagers, poor transport links, and poor selections of shops in the town centre.

I’m also profoundly deaf and have recently undergone cochlear implant surgery.

Being a disabled person and a mum of two young boys, I feel I can bring a fresh, different perspective to the council that is often overlooked.

Working closely with Jean Todd, we will continue to be a strong voice for the community.

Michael Hunter, Conservative

A lifelong Buxtonian hailing from a farming and quarrying family, what better place to live and work than Buxton and the High Peak.

I made Buxton market place my home and for the past 15 years I have worked here too as a business communications specialist working closely with local businesses.

I have a great passion for helping people and would like to offer Buxton Central residents and businesses a voice and represent them well and work to improve our town centre for the better.

During my campaign I’m looking forward to hearing from voters and discussing their views on what concerns them, suggestions and ideas or problem areas that need attention and how our council should deliver services in the area, in the hope of winning support to represent Buxton Central Ward.

If voted in I look forward to working closely with residents and businesses along with fellow councillors and the great people that deliver our council services.

I also look forward to working with our MP Robert Largan and Cllr Linda Grooby on larger council projects along with High Peak Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council.

Jean Todd, Labour Party

In the 11 years since I became a councillor, I have worked with residents and council officers to solve all kinds of issues and understand different points of view.

For the last four years, I have had particular responsibility for dealing with the Climate Emergency, Environment and Community Safety.

We declared the Climate Emergency in October 2019 and produced a strategic plan for both the council’s emissions and help for the wider High Peak emissions.

Holding a continuous dialogue with most of the voluntary sustainable groups in the area has aided the development of future plans greatly.

Environment includes environmental health and refuse collection, two service areas that performed much better in High Peak during Covid-19 than most other authorities.

I have also been involved closely with the Future High Street regeneration and development of the Crescent Trust.

I would like to help Buxton become more biodiverse, sustainable, and economically vigorous.

Also standing:

Lisa Adamson, Green Party

Corbar

Madeline Hall, Labour

When elected in 2019, I pledged to help refresh the town centre.

I’ve contributed to ramps to improve access, supported the introduction of a Changing Spaces toilet at Pavilion Gardens and worked on the successful Future High Street application.

I hope to serve on the stakeholder group to take plans forward.

For High Peak Borough, I promised to do all I could to build a culture of information sharing and community engagement with council decisions.

I have learnt a lot from the casework from individual research and intervention on issues around housing, waste disposal, tree care, street and pavement safety, air quality; from protection of the built and natural environment; and from the powerful local campaign to preserve the Rec at Hogshaw from residential development.

I am standing again because these are difficult times for many people.

I believe that the Labour Party offers the chance of change for the better. 

Chris Hallam, Green Party

I’ve lived in Corbar ward, Buxton, for 45 years and attended Buxton Community School, before moving on to obtain a science degree.

I’ve worked in local industry as a developmental chemist and latterly as a science teacher, including a period at Glossopdale School, plus other schools in the area.

My teaching career was brought to a premature end after being hit by a speeding car and seriously injured.

My life was saved due to the rapid response of the ambulance service and thereafter I campaigned on regional TV and local radio successfully to retain the ambulance station in Buxton, when it faced closure.

Additionally, I believe in parity of mental health and physical health and worked (albeit unsuccessfully) to save the ‘Spencer Ward’ at Cavendish Hospital.

On environmental issues, I am a firm believer in building a greener, fairer future and I’m an active participant in local conservation groups.

Stanley Heptinstall, Liberal Democrat

Stan has long experience of serving as a county and borough councillor and worked hard and effectively for the people he represented.

He now wants to do this for the people of Buxton where, since retirement, he now lives, and with his wife, runs a small business.

As a councillor he set up a Community Action Team which provided a vehicle for local people to work closely with the police, and these were effective in reducing crime. He is keen to do the same in Buxton. But, of course, there is much more to do.

Stan’s focus will be working hard with all of you to make life better for us all.

Stan spent his working life in the Medical School at the University of Nottingham. On retirement he was made an Emeritus Professor of the University.

He is a family man with children and grandchildren.

Eileen Reynolds, Green Party

Moving to Buxton almost 10 years ago I discovered a town with a great sense of community where there were several groups taking practical steps to make Buxton an even better place to live.

I’ve since become a director of Transition Buxton and volunteer at Citizens Advice.

Transition Buxton works in practical ways to make a more sustainable town.

A repair café will soon be joined by a Library of Things, where people can borrow rather than buy things they use only occasionally.

Advice is provided about energy efficiency and in the current energy and cost of living crisis, the need for this has become more obvious.

The work at Citizens Advice has also shown me how more and more people are struggling with bills.

We can provide information about available schemes and help them access them, but these schemes are just a stop-gap. More needs to be done.

The Green Party has realistic policies to confront these problems at a local and national level.

Melandra Smith, Reform UK

I have thought long about standing as a local councillor and as I feel we are stuck on an uncomfortable see-saw between red and blue politics, I decided to give Reform UK and their simple, common-sense policies, which I feel address many of our collective worries, my support.

About me? I am a married working mum of two kids, live in the ward I want to represent, enjoy supporting local groups and am campaigning to have Buxton’s beautiful Victorian colonnades restored and replaced.

Voters can chat to me on my Facebook page, Melandra Smith for Corbar Ward.

Graham Winter, Labour Party

Originally from South Yorkshire, Graham moved to Buxton from Cornwall in early summer last year and didn’t hang about in getting involved in the community.

Having volunteered to help marshal the Buxton Carnival, Graham has also joined Buxton Civic Association and is involved with Transition Buxton.

At weekends, he regularly volunteers for Pavilion Gardens Parkrun and the Peak District National Park at their Castleton visitor centre.

Back in Cornwall Graham was a town councillor.

A professional environmentalist, Graham was instrumental in persuading his previous council to recognise the climate and ecological emergency.

He hopes to put his environmental knowledge and experience to good use here in the High Peak.

Graham is looking forward to representing people living amongst some of Buxton’s most iconic landmarks and recognises the responsibility of looking after these wonderful sites for locals and tourists to fully enjoy.

Also standing:

Chris Morten, Conservative

Mark Wilson, Conservative

Cote Heath

Celia Kelly, Labour

I am so proud to belong to Buxton, especially Cote Heath.

During the pandemic, so many of us worked together for the good of the community.

However, since the pandemic, life has got worse for many people in this area.

There are problems with the cost of living, the cost of heating, access to healthcare, access to affordable recreational activities.

I will work with the council and local organisations to improve the lives of the adults and children living in Cote Heath and Harpur Hill, to ensure that all residents can get access to the resources they need to live a healthy and happy life. I am keen to tackle fuel poverty, help to reduce carbon emissions from homes, improve EV charging infrastructure and work to ensure new developments are sustainable.

I also want to work with local people and businesses to breathe new life back into The Springs.

Kev Kirkham and Linda Grooby, Conservative

The current councillors for Cote Heath are both standing for re-election.

Both have lived in Buxton for most of their lives. Hard working and knowledgeable about the area they represent, they have made many improvements to the area.

Alan Smith, Labour Party

I chose to live in Harpur Hill, it’s a great place to live, but it could be better.

I’d like to improve our infrastructure for the benefit of all. Off-road routes into town for example.

Harpur Hill recently lost the 185 and 186 bus services. Now we only have the Transpeak bus which is hourly at best and often unreliable at the moment.

Practically, you have to have a car if you want to go from here to town.

Given the large number of new houses being built in the area, it is wrong that we have no public transport links to the rest of Buxton.

We would work hard to reinstate our lost services.

I will work with the council to do all we can to mitigate the effects of the cost-of-living crisis on our community.

Also standing:

David Busby, Green Party

Limestone Peak

Caitlin Bisknell, Labour Party

As a former borough and county councillor I will be an effective voice for Limestone Peak, working with and supporting community groups to improve the lives of local people.

Like many of you, I am frustrated by the lack on investment in local services - from street cleaning to bus services, from the NHS to policing and schools.

During the Covid pandemic I organised the delivery of food parcels to families in Dove Holes and Peak Dale and as a volunteer with a local charity I have seen at first hand the impact that the cost of giving crisis is having on local families, and businesses.

If elected, I will press the council to continue to support local families and businesses; and work to ensure that local residents benefit from new house building, ensuring that developers pay for eg play areas and extra school places. I will hold regular surgeries.

Peter Roberts, Conservative

The current representative for the ward is seeking re-election.

Also standing:

Daniel Wimberley, Green Party

Stone Bench

Peter Crook, Green Party

A retired secondary school teacher, my wife and I have lived in Buxton for nearly 12 years.

My family live close by.

Frequent visits to my daughter in Fairfield mean I’m well aware of the road access/ congestion problems that exist.

Long-established plans to provide a new road for heavy vehicles through to the industrial estate, to bypass residential areas, have failed to materialise to the detriment of the residents of Queens Road, Dakin Avenue and Cross Street.

As a family man I fear for the future welfare of mine and all our children and grandchildren if the current political system is not drastically improved.

I’m committed to the Green Party policies of proportional representation, a sustainable, steady-state approach to the economy, and more power to local authorities to respond to the needs and wishes of local residents.

I believe that the big parties have failed us all and that democratic, cross-party cooperation at every level of government, together with the Green Party commitment to Citizens Assemblies, is the only way to mitigate the catastrophic effects of climate change.

Also standing:

Michael Hampson, Conservative

David McDowell, Conservative

Fiona Sloman, Labour 

I am proud to have served as councillor for Stone Bench since 2011, where I have fought hard to improve and support the people of Fairfield.

Since the last election, I have used my councillor’s fund throughout the pandemic to ensure that Fairfield’s children got lunches during half-term.

I negotiated a 25 per cent discount on the new build homes for local people.

In addition, I helped create Warm Spaces across the High Peak for people struggling with higher energy costs during the winter, worked to develop and help set up ROFA 2, a community hub and laundrette available to the residents of Fairfield.

Finally, I have ensured that council house rents will only increase below the government increase.

Matt Taylor, Labour Party

I have lived in Buxton since I was 16 years old, having moved here from living in children’s homes.

I’m a music producer and writer, but many of you probably know me best as the singer of Fuzzy Felt World. I’ve gigged in and around the pubs of Buxton for over 10 years!

I want to be your councillor, so the people of Fairfield can have someone from their background listening to their concerns, representing their needs, and giving their views a strong voice.

Fairfield continues to have a team who can get stuff done.

Temple

Louise Glasscoe, Liberal Democrat

I studied French and English at Kingston Polytechnic and Lyons University for four years.

For the British Council in Manchester, I organised many book exhibitions worldwide on a range of subjects, including environmental issues.

I formed a self-help group in Buxton and was soon appointed chair of the local mental health charity.

In 2010 I was elected vice chair of Derbyshire LINk (Healthwatch); Public Governor, Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Convenor of its Working Group for Quality.

Often rising to senior positions on committees, if elected I believe I would make a positive contribution to the local community.

David Newton, Green Party

David Newton lives with his family in Temple Ward. He is a member of Buxton Civic Association, Transition Buxton and the local running and orienteering clubs.

He has spent over 20 years working in international development, peace-building, and conflict resolution, and currently works as an independent advisor to governments and the UN on peace processes.

David says: “My professional work is all about identifying local needs, encouraging ordinary people to get involved in decisions that affect them, and mediating differences.

“I would bring this experience to the role of councillor.”

He also brings expertise in strategy and governance, having served as a trustee of the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust for eight years, and on the senior leadership team of a global peace-building charity.

His priorities for the council and for Buxton include: reinvigorating our town centres; improving public transport infrastructure; leading improvements to housing; and ensuring adequate infrastructure, schools and healthcare facilities for all new developments.

Pam Reddy, Conservative

Pam Reddy has lived in the Buxton area for 37 years.

She is interested in local politics and wants to work with local residents to improve the outcomes for the High Peak.

She is particularly interested in ensuring the needs of local residents are represented at council. Pam is friendly and empathetic and understands the pressures on local businesses and residents alike.

Tony Riddington, Labour

Tony lives in Temple ward and has been a Buxton resident for 30 years.

He says: “We have a wealth of energetic community and voluntary groups that are the lifeblood of the town. As your councillor I will seek to work with these groups to ensure Buxton continues to thrive.

“I will work with the relevant agencies to ensure that our street trees are improved and managed properly to preserve this important feature of our town.”

He is concerned that recent proposals by Derbyshire County Council’s for the Fiveways junction will have a significant impact on local residents pushing more traffic onto already congested side streets.

He says he will ensure that local feelings are properly represented and work to find the best possible solution for this busy congested junction. He is excited by environmental and wildlife proposals for Temple Fields.

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