Former Whitchurch councillor to stand in by-election for Reform UK
Frank Jones, a former Whitchurch town councillor, is standing in the by-election for Reform UK, campaigning on four main issues including action on the closed Civic Centre and transparency in council spending.
A former Whitchurch town councillor is to stand in a by-election.
Frank Jones, who served as deputy chair of the amenities committee, resigned earlier this year after being told that he was not permitted to comment on council buildings such as the Market Hall and Civic Centre.
Mr Jones, who is representing Reform UK, will stand in Whitchurch Town Council's West Ward on Thursday, December 3.
The only other candidate is Roger Lewis Stimpson, who is an independent.
"'Are you mad?' – that's what my friends and acquaintances said when I joined the town council," said Mr Jones.
"I came from a background in quality management in the construction industry, and that was the very reason I joined in the first place. Being told I couldn't look at the very buildings I had the expertise to help with made no sense.
"So why stand again? Simple. I've lived in our town since the 1970s, and there is unfinished business. I don't want to be co-opted. I want to be elected to represent Whitchurch West residents – and be accountable to them.
"I'm not trying to hold down a full-time job and juggle time and loyalties between committees or councils. I know the town, I feel for the issues that affect us, and I will use my experience to the benefit of Whitchurch."
Mr Jones is campaigning on four main issues - pushing for action on the closed part of the Civic Centre and maintaining the Market Hall; press Welsh Water, Shropshire Council and health and education providers regarding infrastructure concerns; protecting local services to ensure local volunteers are not left picking up the bill for cuts made elsewhere; and holding the council to account regarding spending, contracts, and rising costs.
"Residents have seen their council tax go up by 9.8 per cent," said Mr Jones.
"They deserve transparency and value for money. I want to make sure every pound of their money is spent wisely – and with the Civic Centre still stalled and the Market Hall roof still leaking - there are hard questions that need asking."
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