It’s that time again, and this is your chance to choose who you would like to represent you on Lincolnshire County Council. I am honoured to be standing as a candidate to be your next County Councillor for Stamford East.
I have lived in and around Stamford for most of my life, from being educated here, securing my first job and buying my first home. I am passionate about preserving its culture and heritage, whilst looking to the future with ambition and confidence as we improve our Town.
Our council tax is one of the lowest in the whole country, and my role will be to ensure that Stamford receives its fair share of funding with all the aspects of the County Council. I will work to secure further funding for our roads to fix potholes and bring forward safety improvements and I support a sympathetic repair of Red Lion Square. I will also progress a Town Centre parking review for both off street and on street parking as well as looking at the options for creating Low Traffic Neighbourhoods in areas such as St George's Square. This will be alongside investment into better broadband, and further funding into education, working with local Headteachers to support the building of new classrooms and schools to ensure that more children receive places into their first choices of schools. We must also protect our public open spaces and prevent development not in keeping or in inappropriate locations within our Town.
Our County Council services are rated good and excellent, as judged by independent inspectors, and first class in children’s safeguarding matters. The Council has worked successfully with the NHS in responding to the coronavirus pandemic with St Mary's Surgery working incredibly well as a local vaccination centre. However, if elected I will continue to work to ensure that we have better capacity at our local GP centres and that they remain open and accessible. I was proud to stand up with other stakeholders in the plans, by Lakeside, to close St Mary’s Surgery of which I have been a patient for most of my life, and will continue to campaign against any future closures or changes in service, alongside looking at options for a new GP Practice so we can all access the best healthcare including services at Stamford Hospital.
Over the last twelve months, we have also supported more businesses and provided direct support to residents in need. However more needs to be done, including supporting our vibrant High Street to re-open and ensuring opportunities are available for people to work, visit and live in our Town.
If I am elected on 6th May, I will continue to work with Stamford Town Council, community groups, charities, residents and local businesses to ensure that everyone's interests are looked after irrespective of party politics.
I was also honoured to receive the backing and proposal on my nomination form of Councillor Gloria Johnson, Deputy Mayor of Stamford (In photograph). Cllr Johnson comments; "I think Kelham is the right person to represent Stamford East Division on Lincolnshire County Council, he is committed and passionate about our Town and he will do his utmost to get things done for us, as he has done over the last ten years as a South Kesteven District Councillor and for nearly two years as Leader of the District Council, he has my full support."
I hope that you will be able to support me, so that ultimately, I can support you and our area.
Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you'd like to get involved in my campaign to Stand up for Stamford.
