Election: Caroline Spelman Interview

ELECTION: Conservative
candidate Caroline Spelman

As part of our General Election coverage, Other Side of Solihull has sent questions to the six individuals battling it out to be the next MP for Meriden. Their answers will be posted here. First-up is Conservative candidate Caroline Spelman. 

The impact of HS2 will be considerable for the people of North Solihull. Do you believe the scheme should go ahead and if so what steps can be taken to mitigate the disruption?

I have worked hard to move the line away from the Chelmsley Wood estate so that it no longer takes land from the Bluebell recreation ground. Moving forward, I am working to reduce noise pollution by calling for a 'cut-and-cover' tunnel to be built. I have also fought tirelessly for improved compensation and mitigation for those affected along the HS2 route. It is important to remember that the new station will bring jobs and opportunities for the people of North Solihull; I am working to get it fully integrated with existing housing and infrastructure projects so residents get the full benefit of this 21st century development.

There is still a gap in living standards, employment levels and health between North and South Solihull, what do you believe can be done to address this inequality?

I am determined to reduce the inequality in health, education and economy across the

borough. I have worked regularly with local GPs to tackle the difference in life expectancy and I have helped to secure funding for two new GP surgeries in North Solihull. Importantly, we are seeing attainment levels rise in the schools in North Solihull due to focused investment. We have seen unemployment halve since 2010 across all categories of worker, including young people and the long-term unemployed.

Two of the main concerns for people in the north of the borough are the lack of affordable housing and loss of green space - if re-elected as MP for Meriden how would you address what are sometimes conflicting problems? 

Conservatives in local and national government have invested in North Solihull and this area is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Solihull Council has built almost 1000 homes in North Solihull since 2008, many of which are affordable or social housing. The Conservative commitment to prioritise brownfield over greenfield sites has protected green space and much of the new housing has been built on disused industrial land. North Solihull remains green and growing, and is an exciting area to raise a family or base a business.

You have now represented Meriden for 18 years, what would you say your proudest achievements have been in this time?

Without doubt the single biggest achievement is the regeneration of the Chelmsley Wood estate; the refurbishment of the tower blocks by overhauling their heating system with a new source of renewable energy including solar panels and better insulation has brought down energy costs for residents, reducing their living costs.

DEVELOPMENT: Mrs Spelman says she is proud of the North
Solihull Regeneration, recently welcoming Health Secretary
Jeremy Hunt to the Chelmund's Cross site.

Conservative policies such as the bedroom tax and welfare reform have been fiercely criticised by some. What would you say to residents affected by these changes?

The Government has given Solihull Council £295,000 a year for discretionary payments to help residents with the spare room subsidy and there are only a handful of residents who have not engaged with the process which enables them to continue living in their present accommodation.

Finally, why should people in Meriden vote Conservative on May 7?

I urge people to vote Conservative on May 7 to complete the economic recovery from the mess we inherited only 5 years ago. Our long term economic plan has brought many jobs to this area and has created many opportunities, especially for young people to get a good start in life. We are committed to increasing spending on health to maintain and improve our NHS, and the Conservatives’ commitment to education in the borough means every child has the opportunity to go to a good school. Having served the constituency for 18 years, I offer a strong voice and unbeatable experience to help us face the future together.

Tomorrow: We speak to Green Party candidate Alison Gavin.

Mayor meets new patron of Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens

TEAMWORK: Anne Kendrick (front), with gardeners Stephen Webb and
Gordon Sammons, the present chair of trustees Simon Cleaver, chair of the
gardens committee David Howell and Solihull's Mayor, Coun Kate Wild.

A WOMAN who played a vital role in restoring Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens to its former glory has been made a patron of the site.
Anne Kendrick was one of the original trustees of the project to reclaim the ten-acre tract of land, which had been neglected for decades.
Thirty years after the hall gardens' trust was formed, Anne's role in restoring one of the borough's hidden gems was recognised by the Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Kate Wild.
The Mayor dropped in at the attraction last Friday (April 17) to celebrate National Open Gardens Day.
Coun Wild said: “It is lovely to be in these gorgeous gardens on such a beautiful day – the hard work by all those who volunteer to keep them looking immaculate and true to their heritage is evident.
“It is an honour to be here with Mrs Kenrick, who has been so instrumental in keeping the gardens going right from the beginning of the restoration process, over 30 years ago.”
During her visit, the Mayor also met with the team who help tend the borders and beds of the site and members-of-the-public who had taken advantage of the one-off free admission.

• Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens is currently running monthly taster sessions for people who might like to volunteer. The next one is this Friday (April 24) from 10am-12noon. You can register to take part here.

Timeline:
1982: The gardens are "rediscovered". After decades of neglect they are derelict, overgrown and have been repeatedly targeted by vandals. But the basic structure has survived and is much as it would have been in the early 18th century.
1985: The trust is set up to take the lead on the restoration work. Mrs Kendrick is the first chairman.
1988: The gardens open to the public for the first time. Within a decade, the main restoration will be completed, taking the site to how it would have looked between 1680-1740.

Time running out to register to vote

IF you want to vote in the parliamentary and council elections next month, tomorrow (Monday, April 20) is your last chance to register.

The deadline is midnight and if you haven't registered by then, you will have missed your chance to have your say at the ballot box.

You can find out how to register at the Solihull Council website.

• Other Side of Solihull has published full details of both the candidates standing in the General Election and those who will be contesting the council seats where you live.

Chelmsley Wood woman talks about battle with Crohn's disease

CHELMSLEY Wood woman Amelia-Jane Harris has lost 18 stone after being diagnosed with Crohn's disease, the Daily Mirror reports.

Travellers served notice in Marston Green

POPULAR SPOT: Millennium Wood, Marston Green.

TRAVELLERS who have pitched up at a local nature reserve were this afternoon served notice by the authorities.
The caravans arrived at Millennium Wood, Marston Green yesterday evening (Thursday).
Earlier today, Bickenhill and Marston Green Parish Council confirmed that Solihull Council has taken out a court order, requiring the group to leave the site.
If they fail to move off the land, the authorities will take enforcement action.
Solihull Police, who have attended the scene, have requested residents do not approach the travellers.

Update (19.04.15): The parish council has confirmed that the travellers left the land at around 11am today. The area will be assessed for damage and a clean up operation is underway.

Carjacker targets 67-year-old in Kingshurst

A PENSIONER was left badly shaken after being targeted by a cowardly car-jacker in the Kingshurst area.
The 67-year-old was flagged down by the crook in Kingshurst Way on Monday morning (April 13). When she got out of her car, the young man snatched her keys and shoved her to the ground. He then jumped in her Ford Fiesta and sped off.
The victim injured her leg in the fall and was taken to hospital by emergency services, who arrived on the scene within minutes.
Sgt Peter Wall, from Solihull Police, said: "This was a terrifying ordeal for the lady who could easily have been more seriously hurt.
"Thankfully she will make a full recovery, but we need to trace the man responsible to prevent this happening again."
Police are appealing for witnesses to the robbery, which took place at around 10am. The suspect is described as a mixed race man, around 5ft 9in, with facial stubble. He was wearing a grey hooded top during the carjacking.
The Fiesta - yet to be recovered by officers -  is silver (registration number BF60 VBT).
Anyone you saw what happened or who has any information should call Solihull Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 113 5000.

General Election: Who's standing in North Solihull?

THE final list of candidates has been confirmed for next month's parliamentary elections.

Six people (four men and two women) are fighting to become the next MP for Meriden - the constituency which includes North Solihull.
Traditionally seen as a safe seat, a lot of the media attention will be focused over the border on the ultra-marginal Solihull.
All the same, the rise of the smaller parties has washed away a lot of the older certainties and there's no doubt that campaigners will be out in force in the days and weeks to come. 

The candidates are:

Caroline Spelman (Conservative): The sitting MP since 1997, she increased her majority to over 16,000 at the last election. She was subsequently appointed Environment Secretary, one of only four women in David Cameron's first cabinet. She remained in the post until a reshuffle in 2012, which saw her return to the backbenches. A mum-of-three who lives in Dorridge, she had a background in agriculture prior to entering politics.

Tom McNeil (Labour): Tom was confirmed as Labour's candidate in December 2013. He is a practising lawyer, specialising in European and competition law and provides free legal advice to a number of charities and environmental organisations. At 29-years-old, Bromsgrove-born Tom is the youngest candidate contesting Meriden.  

Ade Adeyemo (Lib Dem): Ade has lived in Solihull for almost 20 years. He is a chartered civil engineer and risk management professional. He was announced as the Liberal Democrat candidate earlier this year, having previously been named as chair of the party's Solihull and Meriden branch. A keen rugby fan, he previously played for Birmingham & Solihull RFC.

Alison Gavin (Green): In January, the Greens confirmed that teacher Alison would be their candidate for Meriden. She has lived in the constituency for eight years (in both Bentley Heath and Chelmsley Wood) and taught at Oaklands School, in Smith's Wood. 

Mick Gee (UKIP): The former bomb disposal expert did tours in the likes of Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo. Leaving the Army in 2008, the father-of-two now works for Jaguar Land Rover in Wolverhampton. He is a keen motorcyclist in his spare time, having raced in the UK and Isle of Man.
Chris Booth (An Independence from Europe): Chris, a chartered surveyor, is standing for a eurosceptic party founded by former UKIP MEP Mike Nattrass.
The General Election takes place on May 7. You have until April 20 to register to vote.

Six questions for six candidates:
With less than a month until polling day, Other Side of Solihull will be looking to put questions to all six candidates campaigning for your vote. This week we will be emailing everyone standing, asking for their response to six questions. Three of these will be the same for every individual; dealing with some of the issues of particular importance to the people of North Solihull. Two others will allow the candidates to respond on the strengths and weaknesses of their individual parties. And the last question will give the would-be MPs a final chance to put their argument about why you should vote for them on May 7. Every set of answers we receive back will be posted on this blog in the order they are returned.