Kingston Council has endured six byelections since 2010.

With the Beverley ward byelection to fill the seat vacated by former council leader Derek Osbourne after his arrest, taking place on Thursday, July 25, the Surrey Comet asked candidates what the borough’s burning issues were.

- The Liberal Democrat candidate Lesley Heap declined to talk to the Surrey Comet.

 

Your Local Guardian:

Labour: Marian Freedman

The 63-year-old volunteer usher at the Rose Theatre and Malden Hill resident said: “The biggest issue I have found is about redevelopment and the Brycbox site. There are a lot of rumours flying about.

“Residents feel they have not been properly consulted. What needs to be done is a meeting between residents and Richmond Housing Partnership, which will be managing the site. If I was elected this meeting would happen.”

Your Local Guardian:

Conservative: Terry Paton

The 49-year-old former policeman, who has lived in Portland Avenue for more than 20 years, said: “Antisocial behaviour is the main thing at the moment. I am having quite a few conversations with local people and police.

"I would hope to fill the gap between residents and the police. I am already looking at a couple of ideas.”
He also stated that a lack of openness within the council was an issue.

Your Local Guardian:

Green: Chris Walker

The 44-year-old father-of-two, who has lived in the borough for 10 years, now in Dukes Avenue, pointed to the Brycbox development and another 300 flats expected in Kingston Road.

He said: “People are concerned about over-development. They are concerned about the impact of this will have on schools, water – all our local infrastructure. The local infrastructure is already quite stretched."

Your Local Guardian:

UKIP: Michael Watson
The candidate who has lived in the borough for 30 years and is now in South Lane said: “For me the biggest issue in New Malden is having some new representation on the council, to have a different voice.
"There is antisocial behaviour in and around New Malden, not necessarily in Beverley ward.
"If we had more community support officers in
and around the areas of trouble, that would be very helpful.
"We don’t necessarily need paid policemen.” Also high on his agenda was council tax.