As part of our 2018 Local Election coverage, we have contacted each candidate standing in 16 wards across South West Birmingham, asking them to contribute to this election’s ’500 Words’ series.
Each candidate has been invited to describe themselves and their campaigns in their own words. Their submissions will be published – without editing – in the order that they are received. Should they be longer than 500 words, they will be cropped.
With the formation of new wards across the city, this is an all-out election, with every seat up for grabs. Some wards have one seat and some have two. Learn more about the ward changes and your candidates.
Our latest submission comes from Conservative candidate for Kings Norton North ward, where one seat is being decided: Simon Jevon
I’m Simon Jevon, local resident, Conservative Councillor for Kings Norton and local Conservative Candidate for Kings Norton North. I live on Kings Park West, Kings Norton and at this election, I’m the only candidate standing for Kings Norton North who lives in Kings Norton North.
Since my election as Councillor for Kings Norton in 2014, it’s been a privilege to help so many people over the past four years.
I’ve worked with residents to make improvements. Together, we’ve:
- Cleaned-up many of our roads, alleyways and open spaces. When Birmingham City Council didn’t act, we got together on many occasions and did it ourselves. When you told me the Council constantly miss bin collections, I’ve spoken up on your behalf.
- Got the City Council to see common sense, like when they refused to cut the grass on the dual carriageway part of Redditch Road (which was causing a huge safety problem for drivers and pedestrians) – our petition got it sorted.
- Campaigned to get our roads repaired. Working with residents, I’ve highlighted many roads that needed repairing – Rednal Road, Redditch Road, Vardon Way and Fairlie Crescent for example. Our cars are facing less damage now due to our successes. There’s a lot still to do but I won’t stop fighting on your behalf.
Those of us who live in Kings Norton North know our area is a great place to live but it could be even better with a change of control on Birmingham City Council. We need and deserve a council that puts people before politics, provides better value for money and cleans up our streets.
I genuinely believe that many in the Labour Party have good intentions but the sad fact of the matter is that our bins are left uncollected, local services are threatened with closure and hardworking people and pensioners are lumped with an ever-increasing Council Tax bill.
Do you think we’re getting good value for money? Here are three statistics you should think about before you vote:
- In Labour-controlled Birmingham, rubbish piled up and bins went uncollected. Bin strikes cost taxpayers £6.6 million – enough to pay the annual salaries of 195 teachers.
- Between February 2017 and February 2018 on Rednal Road alone, there were 47 missed collections out of a total of 78 scheduled (household and recycling). Many roads are still routinely missed and I’m happy to help residents with complaints.
- In 2016/2017 flytipping in Birmingham increased by 20% yet the City Council carried out 336 fewer enforcement cases.
We can force Birmingham City Council to listen to our local concerns. Using your vote, you can send a message on bin collections, litter, potholes and the level of Council Tax. As I’m the only local candidate standing in this election, your concerns are my concerns.
Conservative, Labour, Lib Dem, UKIP, Green – party political loyalty comes second to our area. If you feel that our City Council could do better and you want a Councillor who lives here, please support me on Thursday.
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