Boundary battlefield

WHEN Wiltshire voters go to the polls on May 5 they will not just be making their choice in the General Election.

Wiltshire County Council elections are being held on the same day so voters have a double decision to make.

The council is currently controlled by the Conservatives with 27 seats to the Liberal Democrats' 12. There are three Labour members, four Independents and one vacant seat.

But boundary changes mean the number of seats rises from 47 to 49 this time, and makes the result less predictable.

Trevor Carbin, leader of Wiltshire's Liberal Democrats, said the group was aiming to take over the council.

"With the new boundaries and a strong set of candidates we are hopeful we can do it," he said.

"One of the county-wide issues is accountability. Our manifesto is called Return-ing Wiltshire to the People, which is about getting County Hall run in a more democratic way.

"In North Wiltshire there is a lot of nervousness about Swindon extending its boundaries into Wiltshire."

The party already holds the Cricklade and Purton constituency and Coun Carbin said they had a hope of winning both Wootton Bassett seats from the Conservatives.

But Conservative group leader Jane Scott said she hoped people would vote on the council's performance under her party.

"I think the county council in the last four years has had a very good record," she said.

"We have given value for money, had good outcomes from independent assessments and kept council tax down. If we are judged by the electorate on our record then I think we will do very well."

Coun Scott added that the party was targeting Cricklade and Purton, where they were narrowly defeated last time.

"We are running very clearly on the fact that the big issue is to make sure that the growth of Swindon doesn't impact on the county of Wiltshire," she added.

Labour group leader Margaret Taylor highlighted education as one of the key issues of the election. "I always think in county council terms education is extremely important," she said.

"We want to continue Labour's good work of putting money into schools.

"Wiltshire needs to always keep its eye on putting the maximum amount into schools and not keeping it for central administration."

Other issues raised by Coun Taylor were road safety and congestion, care homes and recycling.

The independents on the county council are also hoping for an increase in their numbers.

Philip Allnatt, Indepen-dent candidate in Wootton Bassett South, is hopeful the Independent group could increase its numbers to win some real power.

He said there was a total of seven candidates standing who would make up the Independent group if elected.

"Potentially if we all get elected there would be a hung council so one of the main parties would have to do business with us," he said.

"We would be a significant group."

Wootton Bassett North

Mollie Groom has held the Wootton Bassett North seat for the Tories since 1997.

Mrs Groom, who declined to give her age, lives in Lydiard Millicent. She said she always listens to people, would continue to work to protect the rural buffer and would promote value for money.

Sue Ford, 52, is challenging for the seat for the Labour Party. Mrs Ford, an office manager who lives in Neston, highlighted the need for more car parking in Wootton Bassett and would like to see more community policing and affordable housing.

Deborah Gann, 43, is standing for the Lib Dems. The health and social care worker who lives in Brinkworth, said: "Wootton Bassett has a proud heritage as a market town and its individual identity should be protected.

"Wootton Bassett and the Lydiards shouldn't be allowed to be a suburb of Swindon."

Wootton Bassett South

Conservative Toby Sturgis holds this seat.

Coun Sturgis, 58, of Great Somerford, names Swindon's expansion into Wiltshire, recycling and car parking as key issues and says he is experienced and committed to being a full-time councillor.

Ellis Webb, 66, of Wootton Bassett, stands for Labour. Mr Webb highlights education, Swindon's expansion, the future of Lyneham and car parking in Wootton Bassett as key issues.

Philip Allnatt, 55, is an Independent candidate. The former computer systems analyst thinks the council has not done enough to resist pressure from Swindon for housing and wants a single council for Wiltshire.

Louise Mortlock, 41, of Bradenstoke, stands for the Lib Dems. The freelance lecturer is concerned about the impact of RAF Lyneham closing, health services, the environment and rural transport.

Cricklade and Purton

Sitting councillor Brian Atfield is standing down but Helen Dixon is hoping to hold the seat for the Lib Dems.

Mrs Dixon, 52, lives in Purton and runs a gift shop in Highworth.

She highlights Swindon's expansion and a relief road for Cricklade as key issues and adds: "I don't think the Tories are in touch with the local community."

Anthony Clements (Con), who was beaten by 98 votes in 2001, is standing again.

Mr Clements, 59, a sales negotiator who lives in Cricklade, said: "More than anything I am standing to get the councils to come to some consensus on what to do about the traffic problems."

Fred Price, who polled 688 votes in 2001, is standing again for Labour. Mr Price, 70, a retired graphic designer living in Oaksey, said he would push for free part-time nursery places for all three-year-olds, better bus services and more work to reduce anti-social behaviour.

Aldbourne and Ramsbury

A FORMER aide to the Canadian prime minister stands here for the Lib Dems.

Debra Davis, of Marlborough, who declined to give her age, says she wants to be a strong voice for the villages.

She challenges Christopher Humphries, the current Conservative councillor.

Coun Humphries, 60, who lives in Aldbourne and runs a property business, said: "Actions speak louder than words. I'll do my best for the electorate."

Stephanie Mabbett, 44, is the Labour candidate. Mrs Mabbett, an human resources manager from Ramsbury, said Labour offered a fairer future for everybody in Wiltshire and wants value for money and good rural transport.

Nic Coome stands for the UK Independence Party. Mr Coome, 47, of Chiltern Foliat, supports public transport initiatives for rural areas, is opposed to the South West Regional Assembly and would recommend the UK leave the EU.

Minety

Conservative Caroline Soden, of Crudwell, has been councillor here for 16 years.

Coun Soden, who declined to give her age, said the main issues for her were to always work with local commun-ities in improving and protecting the area from inappropriate development and too much traffic and to support the rural economy.

John Cooper is standing as the Liberal Democrat candidate.

Mr Cooper, who declined to give his age, owns and runs Oaksey Golf Course and lives in Oaksey. He says he is standing because he wants to give something back to the community he cares about.

Pauline Smith is the Labour candidate in Minety for the second time.

Mrs Smith, 49, is a teacher's assistant and lives in Sherston. She names recycling, nursery places and rural policing as key issues for the division and although she does not expect to win says: "I think I need to be there for the Labour supporters."

Isabel Field