Local Elections 2023: Meet the candidates for Seaton Town Council
By Francesca Evans
26th Apr 2023 | Local News
Ahead of going to the polls next week, here you can read more about candidates standing for election to Seaton Town Council.
A total of 12 candidates are standing for 11 available seats on the town council, with the election to be held on Thursday, May 4 along with East Devon District Council elections.
To find out more information on the upcoming election – including a list of candidates for all wards across East Devon or details of your local polling station – visit https://eastdevon.gov.uk/elections-and-registering-to-vote/election-information/
Don't forget, under new government guidelines, you will need to show proof of ID at the polling station. More details on acceptable forms of ID can be found at https://www.gov.uk/how-to-vote/photo-id-youll-need
Eric Bowman, Karen Brooks, Angela Mendham, Rich Webster & Cheryl Wood
We are group of individual candidates linked by our passion for Seaton. We love living here but we all know that there's room for improvement and we want to get it done.
We are not political but we will act together to ensure that the town council listens to you the people of Seaton and takes positive action to deliver the things that Seaton Town Council has responsibility for.
Seaton has suffered for years from a lack of investment and painfully slow decision making by EDDC and Devon County Council which have been to the detriment of the town. We've waited much too long for action to improve the dilapidated and rundown Seafront, including the deteriorating eyesore that is the Moridunum.
EDDC's Levelling Up bid failed to secure the funding to progress the Seafront Enhancement Scheme, however EDDC's recent decision not to look at the project again this year is not acceptable. The Jurassic Centre will be closed for yet another tourist season. We also believe that having public toilets are essential and will look at opportunities to ensure these facilities are retained.
We aim to work with community groups, local businesses and the Seaton Chamber and you, the residents of Seaton, to ensure our town centre can be a welcoming and attractive place for both residents and visitors alike.
Seaton deserves better and If we are elected we promise to put significant pressure upon EDDC and Devon County Council to work with us to deliver the things we need. These councils are funded by council tax and we need to ensure we get our fair share of the money that goes towards the things that EDDC and Devon County are responsible for delivering.
We know we won't be able to please everybody all of the me but please give us a chance to make a difference.
Most of all we want to represent you, the people of Seaton. We need your votes to make this happen.
Why vote for us? We care about Seaton
Skills & Experience? Varied backgrounds & skills in art, finance, nursing, project management, entrepreneurship, performing arts, hospitality, fire safety and living in Seaton!
For Seaton's Sake – vote for us!
Peter Burrows
I have lived in Seaton for 27 years with my family, children and grandkids. In that time l have served on the district and the town council. I have served over 20 years on the town council, three times as mayor.
I have in that time fought many a battle as chair of the Planning Committee against the over development of the edge of Seaton, especially when there are sites in Seaton that can and should be redeveloped. I brought the Seaton enhancement scheme forward when chairman but sadly the funding has disappeared. If the town is to remain vibrant we need more support for local businesses to grow and survive so encouraging people/visitors to spend time and money here.
The council needs councillors who will take an active part in the affairs of the town and not see it as something that looks good on a CV. We need people that are involved in activities in the town so they know what is needed.
I have been involved with the carnival committee for over 20 years, currently chair, and it remains a very successful organisation with great people and friends. I am on the committee of the Friends of Seaton Library, belong to Axe Vale District Conservation Society and Axe Valley Heritage Association.
I am a member of Greenpeace and Surfers Against Sewage and I am the lead on the Plastic Free Seaton group, which organises beach and town cleans and encourages people to be aware of their environment. My one paid job is the verger at St Gregory's Church.
As we are blessed here with the sea and river we have to make sure we are not subjected to aggressive pollution from the water companies who have spent little money in upkeeping the infrastructure that should stop leaks and spills.
To keep our beach and town free of dog poo I would like to get the council to employ a dog warden again, this would increase the revenue by being a dog-friendly destination and would be funded by fines, it worked before!
Del Haggerty
The below statement from Del Haggerty was submitted jointly with Marcus Hartnell for the East Devon District Council election:
We have worked hard over the past four years to improve day to day life for everyone in Seaton. We have helped to deliver beach matting to improve accessibility for the less able, organised events that bring our community together such as the Queen's Platinum Jubilee party at Cliff Field. Most importantly, we have raised the profile of Seaton by pushing the tourism and 'coach friendly' agendas.
We seek your support to continue working for you. You've told us that more needs to be done to keep our lovely town looking at its best, so we want East Devon District Council and Seaton Town Council to work closely together, making our floral displays bigger and brighter, our bus shelters clean and pristine, and our streets, parks and gardens free of litter.
We will protect public toilets and explore innovative ways to get best value and better provision from them, so your council tax is spent wisely.
More affordable homes are needed for local people, as well as improving the quality of district council homes. This must be achieved with sensitivity, preserving our stunning natural environment and securing improvements to local infrastructure. It's simply not good enough to say that those with roots here who can't find a home should live elsewhere, especially if they work here.
We both support a further bid to attract levelling up funding from government to invest in our seafront and provide local employment opportunities. Working jointly at every tier of local government we will ensure Seaton's voice is heard, which is why we think we are the best team to deliver a better future for Seaton.
Marcus Hartnell
As your town councillor I will continue to work towards improving life for everyone in Seaton. Over the next four years I will focus and prioritise on delivering what you want and listen to your concerns and ideas.
Working with both East Devon District Council and Devon County Council will be vital to ensure that Seaton gets the improvements and investment it so deserves.
I will also ensure that the town council engages with the reformed Seaton Chamber – representing the business community.
By working collaboratively we've already delivered results with projects such as beach matting to improve accessibility to the beach for those who have mobility issues, the provision of water refill stations to reduce single use plastics and a new sensory garden at Seafield Gardens.
Seaton is a friendly and welcoming town and the impact of tourism on local businesses shouldn't be underestimated. Support for them is essential which is why I will continue to endorse funding for Christmas lights, floral displays, and the Tourist Information Centre.
Financial support for the Gateway Theatre is also important to ensure that it can continue to offer community activities, event space and entertainment. Investment in the Marshlands Centre will mean it can continue to host the Tourist Information Centre, community room, office space and our town council team. Funding will be needed soon to replace the play equipment at Elizabeth Road play park, so I will propose that money is set aside for future refurbishment.
Finally, I will continue to explore ways to improve the aesthetics of the seafront and support a further bid to government for levelling up funding by East Devon District Council.
Daniel Ledger
Four years ago I chose to be an independent as I believed national politics has no place at a local level. Every issue should be taken on its own merit, prioritising what is best for the area. Simply put, place should always come before any political party and that is exactly what I intend to continue to do for Seaton.
Having lived and grown up in Seaton my whole life, other than a short stint away for university, Seaton is well and truly my home. I think it's easy for all to see the amazing qualities Seaton has to offer. Our only issue is that we lack vital investment in certain areas to take the town to that next step.
Since 2019, I've focused much of my time setting up a social home development service within the council. The next year will hopefully mark the first time in decades that the council will develop its own housing that will be all social rent. An example of the type of modular housing EDDC aim to deliver is now on show in the council's Honiton office car park.
Some other works that I've been involved in include chairing the council's poverty panel which works to reduce poverty within the district. We've gained full funding for the Seaton Beach Management Plan. And through the amazing work of officers from both the town and district councils, we've seen delivery of projects such as the sensory garden, beach matting, west walk light upgrades and the outdoor gym.
My priorities if re-elected are to:
- Deliver new social homes for the district
- Ensure the redevelopment of the moridunum
- Bring Seaton Jurassic back into use ASAP alongside expanding and enhancing Seaton Wetlands
- Fight for sustainable homes in sustainable locations with the necessary infrastructure to support it
- Continue to help and support those impacted by the cost of living crisis
- Keep holding South West Water to account, push to bring an end to sewage in our bathing waters
- Maintain the provision of public toilets in the town
Jack Russell
I have lived in Seaton for 16 years. Previously, I lived in Shropshire and had five years' local government experience with two local authorities.
I know the ropes and council procedures. Prior to retirement, I was mainly a self-employed chartered surveyor with six years corporate experience with a national firm, which specialised in insolvency. I am against the politicisation of local government, as we need no advice from London-based, incompetent, self-seeking, over-paid career opportunists.
Local government should be governed by local people, for local people. When I became a councillor in 2019, the council was a shambles due to the fast turnover of town clerks. The dedicated staff were demoralised. The councillors were factionalised with hidden agendas, pressure groups, personal animosity, etc, which is not conducive to open democratic governance.
The present clerk was appointed in 2020. Under her guidance, the staff have been revitalised, factions minimalist, a positive atmosphere prevails. Backlogs have been cleared; an efficient council with sound finances.
I support the Seaton regeneration programme and note that there are now three major projects underway. I support further housing developments in designated planning areas, as this will produce further housing for both newcomers and Seaton residents, who will benefit from 'affordable housing'. This will help those at the lower end of the property market, including service industries, i.e. electricians, plumbers, shop workers, painters, decorators, etc, who contribute significantly to the local economy. In addition, the community will benefit from development levies from developers, which will help fund local services.
I wish to serve a further four years to help continuity of open, democratic governance for the benefit of all Seatonians.
Amrik Singh
Hi, my name is Amrik Singh and I am standing for re-election to Seaton Town Council on May 4. If elected, it is my hope to continue the work and projects started by the current council and to build on that progress. I am non-political and therefore not affiliated to any political party . I believe in democracy and the wide-ranging experience brought to Seaton by 12 individually elected councillors.
In March 1992, I moved to Seaton where I have immersed myself in the community, initially setting up and running a folk-rock music club, followed by teaching self-awareness, martial arts and self-defence, and working with young people in and around Seaton. I also teach dance of various styles and have taught at many festivals in the UK and across Europe.
I still teach martial science, as well as running my business - Seaton Computers. I have also been instrumental in various charity events in East Devon such as Beer Music for Life, Devon Air Ambulance Week, as well as Sidmouth Festival, where I have taught dance. More recently I appeared in a play in aid of Hospicecare at Home.
I believe strongly in the wonderful community spirit of my hometown of over 33 years and my particular interest lies in supporting Seaton's youth. I was privileged to be elected to Seaton Town Council in 2019 and was elected as town mayor and chairman of Seaton Town Council in May 2022, I have been honoured to have taken the role and humbled to have been chosen.
If re-elected by Seaton's residents for a second term, I will work closely with the newly formed Seaton Chamber and other community groups to serve the electorate to the best of my ability.
Also standing for Seaton Town Council is Kenneth Beer.
All the above statements were supplied by candidates personally. All candidates standing were offered the opportunity to submit a statement up to the same maximum word count, by the same deadline. Some chose to submit joint statements.
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