Candidates for the May 2023 Spelthorne Borough Council elections

Michael Alexiou

Sunbury East

I was born in central London and moved to Sunbury 9 years ago. We particularly appreciate the community and access to the river and our open spaces.

I am a retired industrial chemist. Throughout my career I worked with people from different backgrounds and skill sets and was able to appreciate the benefits of being part of a diverse team of people each of whom was influenced by their own background and experiences.

I am an active volunteer on a range of social and environment projects. If elected, I will work to enhance our public places including maintaining green spaces, reducing pollution, tackling anti-social behaviour, and improving the condition of our roads, pavements and drainage.

Chris Bateson

Staines South

It is has been a privilege and an honour to serve the residents of the Ward in which I have lived in for 38 years and in which I was first elected in 2019. Over the last four years I have championed many issues ranging from fighting over development in Staines to localised ward issues. When elected I promised to keep in touch regularly through quarterly Focus communications, hold regularly monthly surgeries and make myself easily accessible to residents. I have delivered on all of this and if you re elect me on May 4 I pledge to continue to do so.

Voting for me and my Lib Dem colleague on 4 May you get a team that will maintain the high standard of respecting public service and will continue to fight for residents and local causes. We are people you can trust to do the right thing by people. Supporting us at this election we promise not to let you down.

Harry Boparai

Sunbury Common

I have been a local county councillor for Sunbury Common since you elected me last year. Thank you again.

I have lived in the borough for several years with my wife, children and dog and have worked at Heathrow airport for 25 years.

I have already begun to tackle some of the huge backlog of local issues following decades of neglect by Conservative controlled Surrey County Council. Now I want to be able to work with Spelthorne Borough Council on addressing some of these issues.

I hope you will continue to place your trust in me as your local councillor. I am grateful for the support I am receiving from local residents.

Jolyon Caplin

Staines South

Whilst unicycling recently (yes, really!) I was considering how unfair modern UK society has become. This Conservative Party's attitude towards the current cost-of-living crisis is appalling. And last year's spectacular Liberal Democrats by-election wins indicate I am not alone.

In my career in the world of science teaching, I have seen how effective co-operation can be. And now I see it happening very positively in local politics here in Spelthorne.

What really makes a difference to your life? What can we do to make an impact? Let me know what matters to you in your local community. Use the email hello@spelthornelibdems.org.uk. I look forward to hearing from you.

Mary Bing Dong

Sunbury Common

I live in Seymour Way and I care very much about where I live.

My background is in finance with qualifications in accountancy and business administration.

I was attracted to the Liberal Democrats because of the importance they attach to Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. It's what I want for myself and everyone else.

I am particularly concerned locally about crime, anti-social behaviour and traffic issues. I decided to stand in the local election to be in a stronger position to address these issues and to represent my neighbours.

If elected I will fight against unfairness, injustice and inequality, and to create a better future for you and your family.

Sandra Dunn

Halliford and Sunbury West

I have been a Councillor since 2007 in Halliford and Sunbury West.

During the last term I was privileged to be appointed Chair of Community Wellbeing and Housing and Vice Chair of Licensing.

I have seen many changes to Spelthorne Council over the years but as a Liberal Democrat have focused on serving my residents to the best of my ability. It is vital to understand what is happening in your local neighbourhood and to help those who call on your support.

If elected I will continue to carry on this work as your local representative.

Michelle Gibson

Riverside and Laleham

I live in the ward with my partner, Andrew, and our dog, Peewee.

Only with the support of all fellow Councillors and with engagement by all residents, will we make our community safer and more beautiful.

It is our precious beating heart that gives life to our town and borough; it gives our residents somewhere to live, love and enjoy. As the Chinese saying goes, you can break one chopstick easily but when there are many in the bundle it is almost impossible to break. We can all work together to make our community a place where we can enjoy each other's company and learn from our diverse and multicultural population.

Kathy Grant

Sunbury East

I have been a Spelthorne Liberal Democrat councillor since May 2019. Passionate about issues such as climate change, equality, human rights and animal welfare, I have served on council committees including Environment and Sustainability and the Climate Change Working Group.

From 1997 to 2018 I worked as an administrator at St Mary's University, Twickenham. I have two children and four grandchildren. I speak German quite well and enjoy walking,swimming and Tai Chi. I have lived in Sunbury since 1985.

If re-elected I will continue to stand up for our residents and campaign to protect our local environment.

Suraj Gyawali

Sunbury Common

I am a software engineer by profession and I have lived in Catherine Drive for many years, together with my wife and a toddler.

I joined the Liberal Democrats because I believe in establishing an inclusive community where local opinions are fairly represented at the decision-making level.

I actively support local campaigns to save the last remaining green spaces in Sunbury Common now that the Conservative Government has removed protection for the green belt.

If elected my priorities will be supporting those who are most in need, tackling anti-social behaviour and preserving green spaces.

Lawrence Nichols

Halliford and Sunbury West

Since being re-elected in 2019, I have taken a close interest in the Council's finances. Before retiring, I worked in financial systems in both the private and public sectors, and I have the skills needed for scrutinising Spelthorne's finances.

I have been active on the Climate Change committee and want to see Spelthorne become carbon neutral a soon as possible. I have worked to make sure the Council's own developments are as environmentally friendly as possible.

If re-elected I want the Council to focus on financial stability, maintain the quality of service delivery and stop Surrey County Council from grabbing functions and downgrading them within their remote and unaccountable bureaucracy.

John Thesiger

Laleham and Shepperton Green

I worked for 40 years as a social worker and manager, in three counties, Tower Hamlets, and other boroughs, 20 years at a senior level. My experience covered children and adults, education and special needs, housing and equal opportunities I know that good services never exist in isolation and that every aspect of a council's operation contributes to its overall success.

My experience of local government means I am very well equipped to act as a highly effective advocate, with the ability to navigate bureaucracies. I understand the frustrations that arise when authorities don't listen.

Living close to the river, I am very concerned about water quality and pollution of the Thames. The failure of the Tory government to regulate the behaviour of the privatised utility companies is placing our local environment at risk.

We must work together to protect our precious Green Belt. We are all experiencing the consequences of the massive industrial expansion of Shepperton Studios, and I will do whatever I can to make sure that the impact of the development is minimised.

The draft Local Plan contains many unsatisfactory aspects forced on us by government policy, but without it we do not have a strong basis for preventing predatory developments which would further erode the Green Belt.

I will strongly oppose the development at Manor Farm - a site which is not included in the new Local Plan allocations.

John Turner

Halliford and Sunbury West

I have lived in Sunbury for 13 years and joined the Liberal Democrats because I believe the local and national policies are the best way forward for the country.

I graduated in Zoology and taught science for many years. My experience of working with people from diverse backgrounds has informed my belief in valuing diversity and equal opportunities, and a commitment to protecting all aspects of the environment from cleaning up polluted air to saving Kempton Park and other green spaces.

I joined the Spelthorne Tree Wardens to help redress the loss of local trees from over development and disease. I believe in openness and transparency in politics at all levels and will work towards this in Spelthorne.