Who are you? Why are you standing to be our county councillor & what makes you suitable for the position?

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My name is Steve Stuart, I am 50 years old, a Dad and the founder of my own consultancy business.

I moved to Water Orton 9 years ago. I’ve always been involved in community engagement and have decided to stand for County Council. 

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Previously I have worked in Local Government for 14 years specialising in Contract Management and Systems Improvement.

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I have had two stints as a Parish Councillor, most recently having returned in August 2022 having significant concerns about transparency, governance and inflation-busting rises in precept.

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Since then I have led on the creation of a steerings committee which has introduced and reviewed many policies, including a new code of conduct for councillors. I have acted a Chair of the Parish Council since 2023 and overseen reduce the increases in precept, improved grant application success and greater transparency and governance. 

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I have served as a Governor at the Primary School since 2018 and became Chair in August 2021. During my tenure as Chair the governing board has increased standards of governance and accountability, as well as a complete review of finances moving us towards sustainability.

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I am a trustee of an almshouses charity and overseen a review of investments safeguarding the future of the charity by reducing the risk profile and partnering with reputable professionals to manage the charity’s assets effectively.

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During the pandemic I acted as the interface between WCC and the Methodist Church, allowing for the swift implementation of the COVID testing centre.

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In 2023 I became a borough councillor winning the election within my home village of Water Orton as a self funded independent candidate. I have since used this position to represent all those in our village and try to rise above the petty matters of party politics. 

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I have been successful in securing significant grant funding for village initiatives and believe in empowering those that want to make a powerful positive contribution. 

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Why did you stand for election?

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I don’t believe in party politics at a local level. Councillors should, in my opinion, be local representatives and not local politicians.

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I feel that over the previous four years, our area has not been served well by the existing council or our representatives. Surgeries are non-existant and reposne time to pressing matters of concern are poor.

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Feeling that the councillors and those making decisions at County level are taking the residents of the Coleshill, Water Orton, Curdworth, Wishaw and Lea Marston for granted, I thought that I would stand to give people a different choice.

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I believe I could do the job better than those who have had it for the last four years, so I put myself forward as an independent candidate.