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Elections 2014 Meet the candidates: Mary Bateman

Elections 2014 Meet the candidates: Mary Bateman

This month we emailed all  candidates standing at local elections on 22nd May inviting them to ‘have their say’ in a questionnaire. There are 3 candidates standing in Wednesfield South and 4 in Wednesfield North and we will publish any responses in the order we receive them.

Whilst WV11 does not back any political party, we are keen to see local politicians engaging with the community online as well as offline.

The third candidate to respond was Wednesfield North Labour candidate Mary Bateman,  here are her responses to our questionnaire…

Name: Mary Bateman

Party: Labour Party

Ward: Wednesfield North

Occupation: Receptionist

What made you decide to stand for election?

I am born and bred in Wednesfield, My family have a long history living in Wednesfield. I have been part of the Labour team in Wednesfield for all of my thirty years in the Labour Party. I have lived in Woodend, Ashmore Park, Coppice Farm, and Wyvern Park! I know our Ward of Wednesfield North very well.

What do you believe are the key issues to be dealt with in your ward?

The first thing to say is that the Ward is very different, both in its make-up and in its geography. Ashmore Park is very different from Woodend for instance, and certainly the people living in Coppice Farm may find it difficult to relate to traffic issues say on Linthouse Lane! But what does bind us together is the requirement to live in a safe and sound environment. Traffic and parking, health and education, affordable housing, law and order are all key issues in this Ward. I am a keen fan of the NHS, and I want our residents to continue to have good service for all of their health issues.

How do you feel you will be able to make a difference to your constituents?

I will be working as part of a Labour team, We have two Labour Councillors already working hard for Wednesfield North, Phil and Councillor Rita Potter are already making a difference for residents. I know by joining their team and working with them it will strengthen our representation to our constituents.

What local initiatives have you personally been involved in, in the ward you are standing for in the last 12 months?

I am a school governor in two schools on Ashmore Park, and I have been involved with all the Local Labour Party campaigns that have taken place within the Ward, like the current project to make the Wyrley and Essington canal a Local Wildlife Reserve. Each year I raise money for Charity, with cancer charities, and the Children’s Society benefitting. I took part in a recent campaign to ‘Keep Wednesfield Together’ when the Boundary Commission threatened to take Wednesfield into Walsall for Parliamentary representation.

If you are elected how do you plan to keep your constituents informed of what you are doing to represent them and how will they get in touch with you when  they need you?

I will be holding regular advice surgeries, and attending local events. Every-day I meet residents in the local shops and on the streets, as I live in the Ward. I publish my home telephone number and will use the social media as our Councillor’s do at present to keep in touch with events and organisations.

Anything else you would like to add?

I am a former Mayoress of Wolverhampton and with Phil we raised almost £30,000 for the Mayor’s Charities in 2005/6. I am taking part in the ‘Race for Life’ for Cancer Research  UK on the 18th June 2014, and I am happy to receive further donations!

I am committed to Wednesfield and I am very happy living here.

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