Ben Shepherd, the Conservative Party candidate for the Wellington South Town Council By-Election to be held on Thursday explains his policies. “This is my first time running for elected office and, if elected, I’m really looking forward to being a new voice for Wellington on the Town Council.
“Me and my wife, Jenny, moved to the local area four years ago and we have a one year old son, Ezra. Jen works on the High Street and Ezra goes to nursery in the town. We’ve both felt really at home in Wellington and the chance to speak up for the local community motivated me to put myself forward for this election.
“My key priorities are:
1) Traffic in Wellington. You might have seen me recently in the Welly Weekly talking about the improvements planned for the painfully slow traffic lights outside Waitrose. I want to continue to push for solutions to Wellington’s traffic problems.
2) Benches – I’ve been working with Wellington and County Councillor John Thorne on the provision of new benches in the town centre. One of the pieces of feedback I’ve been hearing from the excellent Food Festival is that there weren’t enough places to sit down. I’m hopeful that we can continue to add to the two benches already installed by North Street car park and on Longforth Road.
3) Local Issues – I’ve really enjoyed walking around Wellington South speaking to local residents. People have been raising with me the dangerous junction between the Wellington Relief Road and Pyles Thorne Road and I intend to be a voice advocating for a solution to this problem, preferably a roundabout. Likewise, I am aware of the issues near Cedar Court where Pyles Thorne Road narrows and want to see the installation of a priority traffic flow system.
4) Grants – Wellington Town Council has a significant grant budget to support local groups. I want to see the Council support as many local people as possible, in particular groups for children and young families.
5) Jurston Farm – this development will go ahead but I am heartened by the comprehensive nature of the plans put forward by the developer. However, we must continue to ensure that the delivery of these new houses causes as little disruption as possible to the residents in Wellington South. I am particularly keen to ensure that the extra revenue generated from council tax receipts is used to improve infrastructure in the town. I intend to work with the Conservative administrations in both Taunton Deane and Somerset County Councils to ensure this happens.”