Richard Hovey
Independent Candidate for
Sandbach Town Council
Ettiley Heath and Wheelock Ward
Currently Mayor of Sandbach Town Council, having been co-opted into a vacancy to represent the Ettiley Heath and Wheelock ward in July 2016.
Key Issue
With the expected 40% increase in population of Sandbach by 2030 the individual character of each of the communities within Sandbach needs to be protected and promoted. There is an urgent need to bring more employment into the town, to avoid the congestion of the mass commute to work.
Background
I am a director of the family business, Zan Limited, who have been based in Wheelock since 1919. I was brought up and educated in Sandbach, although I currently live in Haslington, I have strong family and community links to Sandbach.
My professional background is based around IT, having worked locally for Barclays Bank, Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motors and the University of Manchester. Outside of work I have been a member of two local Rotary Clubs, taking on the role of President three times. I am a lay member and Vice Chair of the Greater Manchester South NHS Research Ethics Committee. I am also the Poppy Appeal organiser for the Haslington and Crewe Green branch of the Royal British Legion, recently taking on the position of Vice Chairman of the branch.
Before joining Sandbach Town Council I had been an active member of Haslington Parish Council chairing both the Finance and Planning committees, finishing with two years as Chairman of the Council. During this time I frequently presented the council and residents case at Cheshire East Planning Committees, and to Planning Inspectors during appeals.
I have never been a member of a political party, and sit as an independent councillor. I was a councillor member of the lessons learned review of the Market Hall, I have been both Chair and Vice Chair of the Planning and Consultations Committee, ensuring that all local planning applications are reviewed and key issues highlighted to the planning decision makers within Cheshire East Council.
I took on the new role of Dementia Ambassador for Sandbach and working with Sandbach Partnership now have the Dementia Friendly Sandbach group. I am also a council nominated trustee for the Sandbach Almshouses.
During my time as a councillor I believe that I have run efficient and effective meetings ensuring that the public have been able to ask questions and all members have an opportunity to speak and contribute to debate and decision making.