Election round-up

Less than five years ago the Tories were in deep depression, down to just five seats in what has always been a traditional Conservative area.

They need a net gain of five seats (or four assuming the continued support of independent Robert Heseltine).

They have already won two as the Conservatives are the only ones to field a candidate in Skipton Central and Cowling - both currently held by their political opponents.

Former town mayor Pamela Heseltine will take over the Skipton Central seat, which has been held by Liberal Claire Brooks for the past 23 years, and newcomer Janet Ackroyd becomes the Cowling representative following the resignation of Labour's Jean Bryne.

Labour, buoyant not so long ago with talk of record membership, is fielding just one candidate - Janet Gordon, who defends her seat in Skipton South.

If she loses, Labour will be without a representative on the council for the first time.

Aire Valley

MARK Wheeler, Liberal Democrat: Mark, of Cross Hills, is keen to work for the interests of the Aire Valley, and promises to work with the parish councils of Bradley, Cononley, Farnhill and Kildwick, bringing their concerns to the district council.

His main concerns are education and environmental issues, including the opposition of inappropriate development of Airedale Business Park and continuing to force tree screening projects.

"Our vision is to encourage a rich mix of skilled employment opportunities for this and the next generation in the Craven district."

Mr Wheeler is married with three children and is an active member of Glusburn County Primary School governing body.

WILLIAM York, Conservative: Having taken early retirement from teaching Bill has the time and energy to devote to the community.

His connection with Craven started when he was first introduced to the waterways and has been a member of a Skipton boat club since 1978.

Bill believes that all voters should be able to have their concerns heard throughout the year, not just at election times and if elected he would ensure residents' views were represented at the council.

"I would seek the most cost-effective use of your council tax to provide the most efficient and effective local services and I will keep residents in touch with the issues that affect them."

Embsay-with-Eastby

GWEN Jessop, Liberal Democrat: Since retiring from teaching Gwen has become very involved in politics and voluntary work, and said she found it interesting and enlightening but at times quite frustrating.

If elected, Gwen hopes to continue the good work done by Liberal Democrat councillors, and has identified a need for more open local Government, more involvement of local people, and a real working relationship between Craven District Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

She said Embsay and Eastby had a strong and successful working community where people identified needs, addressed them and brought about tangible results.

SHELAGH Marshall, Conservative: For the last 14 years Shelagh has been a Craven District Councillor and has always aimed to inform local people of things which are happening. She has even organised public meetings to give residents a chance to voice their opinions.

As a parish councillor she began the work of modernising the recreation ground, and parents then raised £15,000 to complete the work within one year.

Shelagh has a keen interest in education having run a playgroup and taught at Craven and Ilkley Colleges.

She is a member of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and the North Yorkshire Health Authority. She is currently chairman of North Yorkshire Social Services.

Glusburn

PHILIP Barrett, Independent: Philip already has local government experience having previously represented Glusburn ward at Craven, as an Independent councillor from 1990 until 1996.

He also has a long standing interest in the community having also served as a parish councillor and school governor.

Mr Barrett firmly believes the main concerns facing Glusburn include traffic, public transport, and the threat of overdevelopment of the South Craven villages.

He has lived in the parish all his life and is married with two daughters.

IAN Bannister, Conservative: During his three years as a councillor, Ian has been a vigorous campaigner for the improvements to bus services in the area, and his fight to re-open Cross Hills rail station resulted in funding being put into a feasibility study.

Ian has lived in South Craven for 44 years and is a governor of South Craven School, working to ensure local children have the right of attendance.

As a committed environmentalist he has also fought off plans for by-passes and buildings that would destroy greenfield sites.

Ribbleside

ROLAND Howorth, Liberal Democrat: Roland, a former university teacher, said he would welcome anything that would promote the prosperity of the area and its farmers.

He is against large-scale development which may alter the character of the area, but would not oppose small-scale development of benefit to local people.

If elected, he said he would try to follow policies which are humane and guided by common sense, not by doctrinaire theories about privatisation or public ownership.

Mr Howorth has been living in the ward for several years with his wife.

HELEN Firth, Conservative: For 22 years Helen has worked with her husband in Dawsons, their hardware store in Settle.

Over the years she has become increasingly involved in local matters and her main priorities are ending high parking charges, retaining the grammar Schools, supporting initiatives to help hard pressed farmers and campaigning for Long Preston, Hellifield and Gargrave by-passes.

She was born in Craven, has two children, is a trustee of Settle Swimming Pool and is a governor at Settle High School.

Skipton East (two vacancies)

JANET Gott, Independent: Janet Gott is well-known, having represented the Skipton East ward for the last 16 years.

She is the current chairman of Craven District Council, a former magistrate and is a governor at Water Street School.

As an Independent Janet feels she can serve the residents of Skipton East, Skipton and Craven more sincerely than would be possible if she were allied to any political group.

Janet was born in Addingham, educated at Skipton Girls' High School and is a member of numerous local organisations such as Skipton Citizens Advice Bureau, Victim Support and the YMCA.

ANDREW Wood, Liberal Democrat: Andrew is employed by North Yorkshire County Council as the field officer for the Duke of Edinburgh Award in Craven and works at Johnson and Johnson, Gargrave, as hospitality supervisor in the staff restaurant.

He believes he can represent the people of Skipton East at district council meetings, by voicing their opinions and thoughts.

And he wants to be able to use his experience of community groups to support and help the successful agencies that exist within the ward.

Andrew, who is married with three children, believes the main concerns for Skipton are to improve car parking and leisure facilities.

DAVID Breckon, Conservative: Having served in Her Majesty's Armed Forces for 12 years, David is looking forward to representing electors and other residents of the East Ward of Skipton.

He was born and brought up in Skipton and knows most of the people he is now hoping to represent.

Coming from a hard working family in Skipton and with his knowledge of the needs of both estate and terraced homes, he is determined to give Skipton a brighter future.

He aims to introduce free public transport for pensioners and make the roads and estates safer particularly for the young and elderly.

JANET Cryer, Conservative: Janet is well known as secretary and treasurer of Skipton WI. She is a specialised teacher of children with Special Educational Needs, and is married with three children.

Janet's commitment to Skipton is absolute. "I will steadfastly strive for a social, business and environmental structure for my home town, which is culturally inspiring, socially and economically viable and vibrant, whose resources are managed in a truly sustainable way for the benefit of all.

"It seems to me that for these past few years Craven Council has excelled at talking and putting on a glossy political spin to cover up the cracks."

Skipton North

ERIC Jaquin, Liberal Democrat: A civil engineer, Eric was elected onto the district council four years ago. He has served on its three strategic committees and has chaired the Finance and Property Committee.

Eric, who is married with children, is very concerned about Skipton's car parking problems. He said he welcomed improvements to Millfields car park because the increased number of spaces would help keep cars away from residential areas.

He would like the council to reverse its previous lack of investment in its assets, thereby raising the standard of local amenities.

PAUL Whitaker,Conservative: Paul, this year's mayor of Skipton, has been a town councillor for 12 years and a Craven District Councillor for seven.

His concerns include rekindling civic pride, starting with better street cleaning, discouraging unwelcome parking in residential areas, cheaper parking for shoppers and encouraging water bus transport.

The father of two represents the town on the new Skipton Traffic Management Project Committee.

He is a governor of both Otley Street Nursery and Ermysted's Grammar School, and a member of the Museum Support body.

Skipton South

POLLY English, Liberal Democrat: Polly has been a Skipton Town Councillor for the ward for four years, having previously spent two years on Craven District Council.

Her main concerns are to ensure the streets are not spoilt by dog muck and litter. And she would like to ensure disabled people can gain easier access to Skipton's amenities.

She has lived in the Craven area for 30 years, has two grown up children, and lives with her husband and their three dogs. She is self employed as a mobile dog groomer.

JANET Gordon, Labour: For four years, Jan has been on Craven District Council and has supported the preservation of greenfield sites from development, notably Burnside Field and Horse Close.

She also plans to do her utmost to ensure that the allotment gardens are designed imaginatively.

She supports the need for affordable housing and the development of disused brownfield sites within Skipton, and is an active supporter of Jubilee 2000, which aims to cancel third world debt.

Jan said she would support initiatives which provided jobs for Skipton whilst maintaining essential characteristics of Craven.

BERYL Beresford, Conservative: Beryl, of Burnside Avenue, is well known for her active work and support of many local charities. She is currently trying to keep hire charges at Skipton Town Hall for charities at a reasonable level.

She is strongly opposed to building houses at the bottom of Burnside Estate and is against the charges imposed for the collection of bulky household items.

She is critical of the overall performance of Craven Council since 1992 when the Conservatives lost control, and if she gets elected she plans to try to have the high car parking charges effecting local residents reviewed.

Skipton South West

PAUL English, Liberal Democrat: A Skipton town councillor for two years, a governor of Ings School and Craven Council's representative on the Airedale Community Health Council, Paul's main concerns are health and education.

He promises to be a high profile hands-on councillor, who will always put the interests of the ward first.

He is currently fighting for improvements to Broughton Road Recreation Ground and is actively monitoring proposals to alter the traffic management on Broughton Road.

ANDREW Rankine, Independent: Since winning a by-election two years ago, Andrew has dealt with various issues and has campaigned for a lower speed limit and safe crossing places near the school and Broughton Mews.

He has been a governor at Ings School for two years and a member of the community liaison Group.

He has lived on Broughton Road for almost 14 years and works for North Yorkshire Social Services.

Andrew believes any community can only truly be represented by someone who lives in it, and that being an Independent he is well positioned to serve local people.

ADRIAN Green, Conservative: Ady Green and his family were the founders of Environmental Re-cycling in Craven.

For generations they have kept the Skipton area clear of abandoned vehicles. "Re-use the best, re-cycle the rest," is Ady's motto.

Ady is committed to promoting job opportunities and providing free public transport for all pensioners.

He passionately believes that Skipton people should have free parking for short shopping excursions and is determined to introduce low metro rail fares from Skipton.

Ady said he wanted to put something back into his home town.

Skipton West

MICHAEL Doyle, Liberal Democrat: As a member of Craven District Council from 1994 to 1998 Mike oversaw the modernisation of the council's computer systems.

He has pushed for effective traffic management in Skipton and, as a county councillor, persuaded BT to upgrade telephone exchanges to internet standards.

Mike, who is a teacher, is married with grown-up children. He is a governor at Aireville and Brooklands schools and vice chairman of Dales.Net Association.

MARCIA Turner, Conservative: During her time as a town and district councillor, Marcia has worked on a variety of projects including the Aireville improvements, canal corridor improvements and Mill Street car park.

However she admits there are many needs which have to be addressed including high car parking charges, parking on residential streets, and a new look for the High Street.

Marcia is the consort of the Mayor of Skipton and has represented the area on many civic occasions. She has two grown up children and is a qualified teacher.

Sutton

STEPHEN Place, Independent: Steve was first elected to Craven District Council in 1997 and fought to retain Sutton's semi-rural character against the onslaught from Bradford Met and home builders.

He has campaigned strongly for adequate financial support for local schools in the North Yorkshire County Council spending allocations.

He is a Sutton Parish Councillor and hopes to serve Sutton on both parish and district councils after the election. As a family man Steve devotes a lot of his spare time supporting his children's sporting and musical interests.

VALERIE Harrison, Conservative: A teacher who has worked in comprehensive schools and with children with special needs, Val feels if she were elected she would be in a good position to push to the forefront the views and wishes of Sutton people.

Her main concern is to ensure Sutton is kept as a viable village community and not be allowed to become another suburb of Keighley or Bradford.

Val, who is married and has three children, said she also planned to make Sutton Park more of an amenity for the village.

West Craven

RAYMOND Jessop, Liberal Democrat: Raymond is no stranger to politics having been involved for the last 18 years, including holding various offices such as chairman of the Skipton and Ripon Liberal Democrats.

He retired to Craven 12 years ago after a long career in the computer industry and thinks he has a wide understanding of the issues and problems affecting the area.

He said that local government should be strengthened and be more accountable to local people than to Central Government in London.

Raymond said he could identify himself with the local efforts in West Craven to relieve the effects of the ever increasing traffic problems by installing traffic calming measures and keeping up the pressure for future by-passes.

JOHN Binns, Conservative: John is an experienced councillor having served on Skipton Town Council for the last eight years, which included a term as mayor.

Married with three children, John served in the Royal Air Force and then worked for Landis Lund and Hayfield Textiles for 17 years.

He has worked at Gaskell Carpets Ltd in Carleton for the past four years, and serves as a governor for Aireville and St Stephen's Schools.

"I feel I have the experience to serve and represent the residents of the various villages that make up the West Craven ward," he said.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.