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 central High Peak, who were asked to tell us what they aim to do for the area.

Blackbrook 

Angela Benham, Labour Party

Angela moved to Chinley in 2008 after raising her family in Leicester.

She has worked in education at all levels and is interested in teaching and learning, nature, and the outdoors.

She was the Chair and an active member of Friends of Chinley Park (FOCP) for many years.

Alongside the FOCP team, she has worked hard to maintain the nature reserve as a haven for wildlife and a green space for people to enjoy in the future.

Angela has taken part in parish litter-picks.

She is very aware of the problems caused by dog fouling on the streets of the village and on the surrounding footpaths. She would support measures aimed at reducing this problem.

Angela enjoys walking and has climbed mountains.

She is keen to encourage access to the countryside and maintain the quality and number of the footpaths in the High Peak.

Edith Longden, Liberal Democrat

Edith Longden was born and brought up in Blackbrook and attended local schools there.

She is a former governor of Buxworth School, which she and her children both attended.

Edith is a solicitor of more than 30 years experience, working in Stockport and regularly cycling to the office on her electric bike.

She firmly believes in supporting local business to ensure our villages and towns remain vibrant, promoting sustainability where possible, reducing waste and miles travelled on items we buy and use.

At some point of every day, Edith goes for a walk, believing it good for her mental and physical health.

She also enjoys gardening and supporting her children in their hobby of fell running.

Penny Took, Labour

I have lived and worked in education in the beautiful High Peak for 15 years.

I have children and grandchildren in the area and want this community to thrive and continue to provide opportunities for enjoyment and growth. I will support the business in the difficulties facing them in a time of high costs and the effects of austerity measures.

I will support the community in trying to reduce of the speed of vehicles through the village - a 20mph speed limit would go some way to making the roads safer.

If elected, I am looking forward to supporting the villages of Chinley and Buxworth in local government.

We have a busy, bustling community and I will work hard on its behalf.

I want to see the businesses and community survive and thrive.

Also standing:

Dan Capper, Independent

John Kappes, Conservative

Mark Stafford, Conservative

Chapel East 

Jim Lambert, Labour Party

I have lived in Chapel East for 28 years.

My grandchildren grew up here and went to Chinley Primary School and Hope Valley College.

I was born in Manchester and spent my working life living in many places in England and abroad, returning to the north to live in Chapel.

I was recently a volunteer at the local Covid vaccination centre in Fairfield for the NHS First Responders and previously a volunteer at the CAB in High Peak.

Times are hard for many of us now and I believe it’s time for a change.

I strongly believe in a society and a community that takes responsibility and helps as much possible - the young, the old, the sick, the poor and people that are unable to articulate their problems and all who need help to live a decent life.

Jane Simm, Liberal Democrat

Jane is standing in the local elections as she believes the Liberal Democrats listen and support local people, make the decisions that affect them and act in their best interests.

She is seeking a greener, safer, and prosperous High Peak.

Also standing are:

Nigel Gourlay, Conservative

Chris Williams, Green Party

Chapel West

Sally De Pee, Labour

Many of you will know me for my work with Little Cherubs Community - a local charity that I set up during Covid to help local families by providing clothing and essential items.

Two years on and I am now more than ever determined to ensure local people receive the support they need.

I believe that by becoming a councillor it will enable me to continue to develop and improve our local area for all.

I’m really excited about this opportunity to represent local people on local matters.

I’ve seen how tough it is for families affected by rising costs, so I’m standing as a councillor to make sure our councils are doing as much as they can to support local people in these tough times.

Labour’s focus on warmer homes, supporting local businesses and community organisations in High Peak makes sense and I’m keen to use my experience to help make difference.

Timmy Norton, Labour Party

Timmy Norton is well known to many people in Chapel, where he has lived for almost 64 years; giving him a good understanding of the problems which people perceive there are in Chapel.

He previously represented Chapel West on the borough council, including four years when he held the borough’s purse strings as Executive Member for Finance (2011-15).

Always a passionate advocate for Chapel, he has also served as a parish councillor and as chairman of the council.

Timmy has pledged that if elected he will support Chapel businesses and market to get the investment they need, hold local events, and maximise town centre parking.

He will also work with local police, businesses, and residents to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour and fight for the promised police station at Chapel roundabout to be built.

Kath Sizeland, Conservative

Kath is the current councillor for the ward alongside Stewart Young and is seeking re-election.

Jeremy Wright, Green Party 

Jeremy is a retired public health doctor now living in the Hope Valley, after having been Director of Public Health in Sheffield for 13 years.

He recognises that the climate emergency and our fractured society are the major threats to our population health and wellbeing and believes that only the Green Party has a realistic programme that reflects the seriousness of the crisis we face.

He is currently a non-executive director at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, as well as chair of Hope Valley Climate Action and a trustee of Hope for the Future.

Stewart Young, Conservative

Stewart is the current councillor for the ward alongside Kath Sizeland and is seeking re-election.

Hayfield

Sarah High, Liberal Democrat

Born in Stockport, Sarah moved to Luton for a couple of years when her dad worked for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

From there they moved to Salford.

She went to Lower Kersal Primary School, and then to Lowry High School.

She worked for over 30 years in the Security Industry.

She also graduated with a BA (Hons) in Primary Education, and for a time also did care work.

Gill Scott, Labour Party

I feel honoured and excited to have been chosen to represent Hayfield.

If elected I will work hard with you and for you to make our village even more beautiful, ever more welcoming, and inclusive and a thriving place to live.

As a former teacher, community arts ambassador and member of an oral history project, I am passionate about people, the stories they have to tell and how to give them a voice.

Currently, I am a governor at Hayfield Primary School.

I have been a joint coach at Hayfield Juniors FC and an assistant leader at 1st Hayfield Guides.

I was part of the community arts project to create and install our snake of stones and more recently I have become part of the #takethebus initiative which grew out of the magnificently led campaign to Save the 358.

Eva Lawson, Conservative

The current councillor representing the ward is seeking re-election.

Hope Valley

Joanna Collins, Green Party 

Joanna has lived in High Peak for over 25 years and her children grew up here.

She was elected as a Green Party councillor on High Peak Borough Council in 2019.

As a councillor, she has successfully pushed for funding for climate action, and supported energy efficiency and affordable housing across the borough, including working with the National Park.

Joanna has always been an active member of the community.

She’s been involved in the community as Governor of Hope Valley College, volunteer for Citizens Advice, Parish Councillor, and environmental campaigner.

Working with Citizens Advice gives her in-depth understanding of issues such as housing, debt, benefits, and family breakdown.

Joanna is motivated by a lifelong passion for the natural environment and by concerns about increasing social problems.

Charlotte Farrell, Green Party

The Climate Crisis is the biggest threat to humankind that exists, but it is treated with almost disregard by our decision makers.

As a Green Party councillor on High Peak Borough Council, I have worked to ensure that the environment and climate change are considered in all the council actions as that is the only way we will make progress.

I have lived in the High Peak for over 20 years working as both a nurse and then solicitor and currently behind the bar of our local pub.

I am active in my local community in social and environmental issues, in particular with regard to making our roads safer for all to use and campaign for 20 mph in all residential areas.

I feel very lucky to have represented Hope Valley ward for the last four years and hope to carry on the work for the next four years.

David Owen, Labour Party

David has lived in High Peak for the last 34 years so has a very good appreciation of the issues that affect the whole district.

A retired telecoms consultant, he is married, with two locally educated children and two grandchildren.

David says: “We enjoy walking, photography and I do a mean sourdough loaf!”

He is concerned about the cost of living crisis, especially its impact on the villages that make up the Hope Valley.

Local tenant farmers can no longer earn a profit from simply rearing sheep and need to find other sources of income. Long-term village residents no longer have friendly neighbours but are now surrounded by holiday homes.

It is virtually impossible for first time buyers to afford a home in the Hope Valley.

He backs the campaign by Castleton Historical Society to Save Castleton Visitor Centre and Museum, which is facing closure due to government funding cuts.

Also standing:

Hayley Dalton, Conservative

Frederick Walton, Conservative

New Mills East

Paul Adrio, Liberal Democrat 

Paul Adrio is a New Miller.

He trained as an engineer but has worked in a variety of jobs - most recently in care provision.

He joined Lib Dems several years ago and has been campaigning tirelessly to get the best deal for the community.

Successes include getting a section of the Sett Valley Trail between Torrs and Sett Valley Medical Centre cleared of overgrown vegetation which was obstructing walkers; also making a major effort to get broken street lights working again.

Last year, he was involved in a joint drive with Cllr Ray Atkins and Beth Atkins to circulate 5,000 petitions to homes in Hayfield and New Mills, in support of the campaign by Hayfield resident Steve Grieve to stop the threatened shutdown of the 358 bus service from Stockport to New Mills and Hayfield - this service has now been saved.

Alan Barrow, Labour 

I have lived in Birch Vale for over 29 years.

Now retired, I was a works electrical engineer at Swizzels Matlow, a school governor at Thornsett Primary School for 17 years and former Mayor of the Borough.

I was particularly pleased to have helped return our housing stock to the council’s control which has released resources for improvements.

These include new roofs, kitchens, bathrooms, and thermal insulation.

I am pleased to be able to continue to support local volunteers via the councillors’ initiative fund.

Some of the groups I have helped are New Mills Festival, the Veterans Breakfast club, and High Peak Community Arts.

For the past four years I have been a member of the council’s executive with responsibility for Finance and Customer Services.

It has been a very busy time as our team worked hard to mitigate the effects of central government cuts and the pandemic.

Ian Huddlestone, Labour

Ian has lived and worked in New Mills all his life and is now retired and enjoying life.

A former postman, he is well known to many in the area.

A sitting borough councillor, Ian has been a school governor, helped at the food bank and served as a New Mills town councillor.

Ian says: “It has been a privilege to serve as your councillor and I wish to stand again to continue the work that Labour High Peak has done over the past four years.

“New Mills is a marvellous place to work and live with some amazing people who do a lot in the community. We need a council who will support this valuable work.

“If re-elected, I would continue to work towards making New Mills a place that everyone can enjoy.”

Charles Jevon, Liberal Democrat

Charles is an experienced campaigner including 14 years as a councillor on a Unitary Council in the North East.

He successfully retained his seat on four occasions.

Following a house move to Northumberland, he continued campaigning and was co-opted to the local parish council for two and a half years.

He was a parent governor before becoming a councillor, was a chair and vice chair of governing bodies in separate schools.

Charles previously worked in the NHS and Adult Social Care organisations, mainly in North East England.

He moved to the High Peak to be nearer to family members and is currently employed by a national charity managing Patient Transport Services.

He is a proud grandparent and cares for his two grandchildren one day a week.

Also standing:

Ginny Priestley, Conservative

Sally Gibson, Conservative

New Mills West 

Anthony Adrio, Liberal Democrat

Anthony was born in New Mills, where his father Paul is a hard-working member of the local Lib Dem FOCUS Team.

He left New Mills for Buxton and attended Buxton Community School.

He returned to New Mills at age of 16,  but after eight years moved to Chapel where he worked for Ferodo-Mogul as a vehicle braking technician.

He has now set himself up in business as a ‘handyman’ - available to do a variety of work in private homes.

A keen snooker fan, he is hoping for a hole in one at his first attempt to be elected as a local councillor.

Ray Atkins, Liberal Democrat

Born in Stockport, now a New Mills resident, happily married for many years to Beth.

Educated at Marple Hall and University of Manchester (BSc Hons degree in chemistry), Ray later worked as political consultant for the Liberal Democrats.

Elected as High Peak Borough councillor and New Mills Town councillor in 2003 and re-elected on four successive occasions.

Local achievements include;

1. Working with Tory Cllr Ashton, Labour Cllr Norton and late Independent Cllr Mellor to get rid of double-rating system which made New Mills residents pay council tax TWICE for parks and recreation services - once to New Mills Town Council who look after our parks and then again to the borough council for parks in Buxton and Glossop.

2. Campaigning to establish air pollution testing posts along A6 and other routes.

3. Worked with Paul Adrio to circulate over 5,000 petitions as part of successful campaign against shutdown of 358 bus.

Jenni Benzer, Labour

I moved to New Mills after getting married and live here with my husband and young daughter.

I work as a sixth form teacher and care deeply about helping all young people achieve their potential.

I support students in overcoming their difficulties, which are often related to mental health, and our financially challenging times.

I will work collaboratively with others to give people a voice in New Mills West.

I am passionate about supporting our high streets and the small local businesses we have across New Mills and will work hard to ensure investment comes to New Mills to revitalise our town centre.

It is important, however, that we lead the way to a greener future that’s why it’s important that we also protect and enhance our green spaces.

Jenni says: “I believe in working together for a kinder, fairer, and greener society that will benefit us all here in New Mills West.”

Simon Evans, Labour 

I moved to New Mills after working around the area for the last decade and I am a self-employed business consultant specialising in communications.

I have worked in Westminster and at the Senedd in Cardiff, as well as in local government and I want to bring my experience to represent New Mills West.

I love to relax by watching sport, mainly rugby, but have become a fan of New Mills FC (and Foodie Friday at Millers Bar)!

I want to work alongside the community of New Mills West to represent your views in the council chamber to combine my experience with your knowledge to make a formidable local team.

The existing network of local activists and community groups are invaluable assets, and I am already getting involved and want to work to ensure our community maximizes the potential it already has in being a great place to live, work and socialise.

John Payne, Green Party 

John Payne has been based in High Peak for over 30 years.

Two of his children were born, and went to local schools, here.

He started work as a secondary school teacher and continues to be involved in education through being the chair of governors of two local primary schools.

For much of his working life, John was an international development project manager in South Asia/Africa and was given an OBE in 2007 for services to education.

He is very aware of local issues, such as housing and education, and has a commitment to local organisations - as a churchwarden, a trustee of a village community organisation focusing on sustainability, and other local groups.

John regards the twin threats of climate crisis and biodiversity loss as being vital to what local politics is about for the foreseeable future and will do his best to achieve real change if elected.

Also standing are:

Brian Sidebottom, Conservative

Jill Woodacre, Conservative

Sett

Rachel Barber, Liberal Democrat

Rachel has lived in New Mills now for 41 years.

She first went to Newtown Primary School, then on to New Mills School and the Sixth Form Centre.

She has worked for Vodafone, managing their partners and resellers, since 2012.

Her hobbies include training at New Bodies gym and walking her dog in the local countryside.

Peter Inman, Labour

I live in Birch Vale with my family. I know that we are lucky to be in such a beautiful part of the world and I want to make Sett an even better place to live.

Many of you would like to see cleaner public spaces, something done to reduce speeding traffic, and help with your rocketing energy bills.

As your councillor and neighbour, I will prioritise the issues that matter and always work hard for you and your family.

I have a wide range of experiences in Education, Training and Sustainability, and my aim is to gain your trust, prove that your vote counts, and show that real change is possible.

I am asking you to give me the opportunity to make this happen. Vote for me on May 4th. Let’s build a better Sett. Let’s build a better Britain.

Jacky Sidebottom-Every, Conservative

I am proud to have been selected as the Conservative candidate for Sett ward.

As a past business owner and MD of a medium sized manufacturing company I have learned many skills that will be of great use if I am elected as Sett’s councillor.

I am passionate about where I live, which is one of the most beautiful parts of the UK. Our area needs to be treasured and looked after for both ourselves, and future generations, I believe I am the right candidate to do this.

I have the time and energy to be an active and enthusiastic member of the council. I would be helping to create a council that cares but will act responsibly with tax payers’ money, ensuring services are run as efficiently and effectively as possible. I would be the voice that stands up for Sett ward.

Whaley Bridge

Nev Clarke, Labour

I’ve been here for 12 years and it’s my home.

I’ve been an active part of the community every place that I have lived, from probably the age of 12.

Flipping burgers at fates, inflating balloons, rattling buckets, putting up and dismantling gazebos, generally getting wet, cold, and dirty.

I’m a proponent of people power, encouraging activity that empowers groups and individuals to make positive changes in society; it’s something that I love about the area, whether it be COGS and Furness Community post office, Whaley4wards volunteer group and the collections for Ukraine and Turkey.

It proves that we achieve more when we work together than when we act alone.

Much has happened that has undermined people’s faith in government.

I want to help rebuild confidence in what part it can play at a local level and will always try to give credit for work people have been involved with.

David Lomax, Liberal Democrat

David moved to Whaley Bridge in 1977, starting his teaching career. He was then Head of Learning Support at New Mills School for 26 years.

He now works and volunteers in the sports and leisure industry.

He has been a borough councillor, representing Whaley Bridge, since 1991. A former Leader of the Council and Mayor, he has also been a member of Derbyshire Fire Authority and Derbyshire County Council.

As a geography teacher, David has always championed the environment and meeting the challenge of climate change.

He was the lead member in High Peak Borough Council becoming a Beacon Council in sustainable energy, presenting for the Energy Saving Trust.

David says this election is all about our future. We need to work together to make a greener, cleaner, safer, and prosperous High Peak.

Jo Taylor, Labour

I moved to High Peak in 2007 and feel very much part of the community here and would like to make a real contribution by representing it as a councillor.

Listening to people, hearing their concerns, and advocating for them has been a key part of my working life and I would love to have the opportunity to help and support the communities and people in the area I live in.

When I am not working, I am a carer for my partner Vincent.

You will also have seen me walking our dog around Whaley Bridge.

I have spent my whole working life in public facing roles dealing with vulnerable people with difficult issues.

I am passionate about supporting people and advocating on their behalf.

I understand how councils work and the financial constraints they operate under and would use my experience and knowledge to try to achieve improvements in services.

Andy Thomson, Liberal Democrat

Andy Thomson is a long term Lib Dem supporter, and was originally a musician, but soon moved to teaching music, and now specialises in the repair of wind instruments.

With two children at primary school in Whaley Bridge, he is most concerned about the kind of place in which they will grow up, both locally and globally.

During the recent closure of the Whaley railway bridge to traffic and pedestrians in the centre of the town, he helped to organise the local Walking Bus to their school.

Also standing:

David Hartington, Conservative

Lisa Hartington, Conservative

Lewis King, Conservative

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