Local elections are taking place on May 4, 2023. You will have the chance to vote for a councillor to represent you at local council. The local council works on many issues such as, transport, waste services, adult social care, and the environment.
Remember, you will need a photo ID to vote! For more information on how to vote and who you can vote for please visit the Bath and North East Somerset Council website.
Below is a list of candidates running in the four wards most densely populated by students. Some candidates have also provided us a brief overview on why they deserved your vote:
Oldfield Park
Rose Battey (Labour Party)
John Branston (Independent)
Ronaldo Butrus (The Conservative Party Candidate)
As a student myself, I know what you want from the Council. So many of our students live in Oldfield Park and I will make sure we provide adequate public transport to and from Campus, including a push for a weekend U2 service and a review of how we can improve other routes such as the 20 and 22. I will also push for more thoroughly enforced housing standards and I will act as a medium to ensure that students and local residents get along as best as possible.
You may recognise me as a candidate for the SU Presidency earlier this year. If anybody is going to improve the University’s relationship with the Council, it is going to be me. If you would like to contact me, please email office@bathconservatives.com.
For a better connected Oldfield Park delivered by someone living a relatable life, please vote Ronaldo Butrus.
Ian Halsall (Liberal Democrats)
A resident of Bear Flat having previously lived close to Moorland Road, Ian would be honoured to represent the area in which he has lived and worked in for two decades.
He wants to be a voice for the local community and would like to bring the student population, local businesses, education and community groups together.
With a background as a professional town planner, member of his residents association and the Friends of Bloomfield Green, Ian understands the importance of uplifting local voices in planning decisions, changes around the area and valuing our precious open spaces for the benefit of all.
In his spare time, Ian loves running, enjoys the Linear Park, cruising on his narrowboat and is a keen baker - with several years running a stall at the Bear Flat Community Market.
Anne Phipps (Green Party)
I live in Oldfield Park with my daughter, and work for a small charity supporting local people with their mental health. Pressures on local services have never been greater, and the Green Party is committed to finding solutions equitably and through community.
Oldfield Park is a unique community within Bath and deserves its voice to be heard. This is especially the case in terms of the pressure on our local transport systems, and the long-term challenges of bus services and safety for cyclists and pedestrians alongside parking provision.
I also want to work with established residents and our student population to have the best experience of living in Oldfield Park together.
Southdown
Alex Avard (Green Party)
I first moved to the city in 2013 to study at the University of Bath; ten years later, and I haven't looked back since, now working on environmental campaigns for an international non-profit.
I am part of the Green Party because I believe that they represent the kind of genuine change for the better that we drastically need to see both in this country and around the world, especially with regards to the climate and biodiversity crisis.
My generation has grown up watching our natural environment deteriorate in front of us, and so protecting our world and bringing about climate justice for those most affected by the crisis are hugely important issues close to my heart. Leading on community initiatives such as local litter picks and awareness-raising events have been an important first step for my involvement in this area, but I would love to see Bath & North East Somerset lead by example in taking even more drastic, urgent action for the health and future of our planet.
David Blatchford (Conservative Party Candidate)
Paul Crossley (Liberal Democrats)
Serving Southdown on B&NES Council since May 1999, Paul considers it an honour and a privilege to be a Councillor. Alongside holding regular surgeries and providing local news, Paul ensures he works with residents’ groups across the ward.
In Southdown, he would like an Heavy Good Vehicles ban on the Pennyquick and continued improvements in our local spaces - The Roundhill, Hillcrest Field and the Brickfields.
In his spare time, Paul can be found supporting Bath Rugby and Bath City, DJ-ing on Radio Bath and enjoying countryside footpaths around Bath.
Lyn Jacobs (Conservative Party Candidate)
Ashley Lewis (Labour Party)
Lisa Loveridge (Green Party)
Lisa came to Bath as a student in 1991 and, apart from three years in Birmingham has lived here ever since.
Her first political campaign was for the continuation of student grants. As a student she chaired a student support service, volunteered with Bath Nightshelter and was on the management committee of Off The Record, whist working with people with learning difficulties. Since then she has been a Social Worker, member of Bath Oxfam and Chair of the Committee of Hillside Hall in Oldfield Park.
Lisa has been a member of Bath Green Party since 1998. She has held several voluntary roles, including chair of trustees of a Community Hall in Oldfield Park and campaigner for green spaces in Weston. These days she works with older people in Keynsham and looks after her family. She's interested in personal/spiritual growth/healing and equalities, social and environmental issues. Lisa is a pacifist and a member of Unite the union. Lisa is passionate about the environment and social justice and tries to live her life accordingly.
David Musgrave (Labour Party)
Mark Reynolds (Independent)
Dine Romero (Liberal Democrats)
A Southdown Councillor for the past 20 years, Dine wants to continue to be a strong voice for the area in B&NES Council. She will continue to work on bringing vocational and skills-based education to Culverhay, secure safer speeds and reduce the number of lorries using Pennyquick, Whiteway Road and Rush Hill.
Dine is a frequent visitor of Bath City Farm and enjoys her weekly slot on Radio Bath. She loves walking and spending time with her three children.
Paul Wakenshaw (Independent)
Westmoreland
Nick Batt (Green Party)
The Green Party are standing a record number of candidates in this year’s local elections, with a full slate of 59 in BaNES for the first time, so people across the country will have the chance to vote for a fairer, greener community. Stephanie Boxall and I are standing in Westmoreland ward; let me introduce myself. I was born and brought up in Bath, from Walcot to Park Street via Beechen Cliff School, and settled in Oldfield Park in 1997.
I have a background in music production and my day job is running a small, independent internet publishing and broadcast company focussed on music technology.
Following the birth of my daughter, who is now 19, and listening to the concerns of young people, I feel worried for their future and feel the answer to making a change starts at a local level. I have been interested in Green Party values for some time, and am impressed with how they can influence policy from within.
I hope in some small way to contribute and help make the changes required to make our lives all more sustainable and plan more intelligently for the rapid changes coming in our future.
Where Green Party councillors have been elected in Bristol, they have risen to the challenge, and Bath must follow. As councillor I would listen to the views and worries of local residents and be available if you need any help or just wish to discuss any point of concern.
Colin Blackburn (Independent)
First and foremost, as Independents, we work to represent and give a voice to all our residents without being restricted by having to follow a party political line.
Between us we have represented Westmoreland Ward actively for the past 12 years.
Our priorities for the next four would include:
- Continuing our regular litter picks with businesses, long-term residents and students from both Universities.
- Improving pavements and roads including potholes and lighting. We have already had extra lighting installed along Highland Terrace, making it much safer.
- Work to improve standards in rented accommodation.
- We recognise the importance of the Town & Gown initiative of the Student Community Partnership and have been actively on its Committee which we intend to continue to support.
- Additional tree planting and more community street planters to enhance both their locations and contribute to the climate and ecological emergencies. We had the trees planted along Moorland Road plus the new planters in Brook Road by the bench which have made a huge improvement here.
We will of course continue to follow up any issues that residents bring to our attention.
Stephanie Boxall (Green Party)
I have lived in Bath and North East Somerset since 2010 and I work as a freelance writer. I also volunteer at the American Museum & Gardens in Bath, where I’m part of the Diversity & Inclusion Task Force.
I first joined the Green Party more than 40 years ago because I was passionate about the environment. I recently rejoined because, as we face a climate emergency and a crisis in the state of Nature, it’s the only political party that puts the environment at the heart of everything they do.
I believe we can tackle the global issues by focusing on positive changes at the local level and, as a Green Party councillor, I would be committed to addressing the needs of the community in Westmoreland by listening to people’s concerns and working hard to achieve fair, green solutions that make life better for everyone.
Katherine Hall (Liberal Democrats)
Cate Lewis (Labour Party)
Andrew Pattie (Conservative Party Candidate)
June Player (Independent)
First and foremost, as Independents, we work to represent and give a voice to all our residents without being restricted by having to follow a party political line.
Between us we have represented Westmoreland Ward actively for the past 12 years. Our priorities for the next four would include:
- Continuing our regular litter picks with businesses, long-term residents and students from both Universities.
- Improving pavements and roads including potholes and lighting. We have already had extra lighting installed along Highland Terrace, making it much safer.
- Work to improve standards in rented accommodation.
- We recognise the importance of the Town & Gown initiative of the Student Community Partnership and have been actively on its Committee which we intend to continue to support.
- Additional tree planting and more community street planters to enhance both their locations and contribute to the climate and ecological emergencies. We had the trees planted along Moorland Road plus the new planters in Brook Road by the bench which have made a huge improvement here.
We will of course continue to follow up any issues that residents bring to our attention.
Sasmita Rajhansha (Liberal Democrats)
Sasmita is a social worker and entrepreneur, who has resided in Bath's Oldfield Park area for over 20 years. She is well acquainted with the issues faced by local residents and strives to seek resolutions.
Mrs Rajhansha has done voluntary service for Dorothy House Hospice for over a decade and helped the local community during the pandemic. She raises funds for Cancer Research UK and other charities by running marathons and organising events.
Mrs. Rajhansha is a key founder member of Shree Jagannatha Temple UK and Bath Hindu Community. She offers community service at the Temple, cooking free meals for devotees visiting the Temple every week. She has turned her passion for cooking into an enterprise by opening up a new Indian Restaurant (SUSMITAS.UK) on the Lower Bristol Road.
Mrs Rajhansha is excited to have the opportunity to be a strong voice for Westmoreland on B&NES Council.
Rebecca Simmons (Labour Party)
Lindsay Whitmore (Conservative Party Candidate)
Widcombe & Lyncombe
Lyn Barham (Green Party)
I am a recently retired researcher who worked in the field of career development for some decades.
Locally, I have been active in green politics for all my adult life. I commit time to various organisations promoting community gardening and campaigning on the underlying issues of fair access to fresh, high quality food for all, regardless of circumstances.
We need to seize the chances to make genuine changes that will enable healthy lifestyles in a healthy environment, so playing our part in this locality to effect change which addresses the climate emergency facing the planet.
I will target my energies on improving the public transport network as well as lobbying for increasing the provision for safe walking and cycling routes. I will campaign on actions that support the energy transition so that sustainable, cheaper energy becomes available to all.
With all policy initiatives, I will ensure that the needs of those least privileged in our community receive full recognition.
Alison Born (Liberal Democrats)
A Widcombe resident for nearly three decades and a councillor since 2019, Alison loves representing Widcombe and Lyncombe.
With a background in health and social care, she wants to ensure our public services work well for all local residents. Alison is focusing on reducing Bath’s long-standing traffic problems and addressing the climate emergency.
In her spare time, she loves walking in local green spaces, enjoys theatre and the arts and works as a part-time yoga teacher.
Priya Chathley (Conservative Party Candidate)
Deborah Collins (Liberal Democrats)
With more than two decades in central and local government, Deborah believes that listening to and supporting local residents is the most important part of representing a community.
This ethos has informed her career as a lawyer and a senior officer running environment and leisure services.
She wants to see Widcombe and Lyncombe cleaner and greener, while ensuring the Council is responsive to residents' needs and wants.
In her spare time, she enjoys walking, gardening and supporting Bath at the Rec, although this season has been 'a bit of a trial to date'.
Charlotte Foster (Labour Party)
Louisa McFarland (Conservative Party Candidate)
Christina Ryan (Labour Party)
Ruth Shaw (Green Party)
I moved to Bath in 2019 to begin my degree studying Sport and Exercise Science. Despite a return home during the pandemic, I have thoroughly enjoyed living in Bath over the last few years.
I am passionate about positive societal change, and have participated in litter picks with the University, tree planting with More Trees for BANES and am a regular volunteer at Bath Skyline parkrun.
After being on the committee for People & Planet at the University, I decided to move my efforts to link up with the local community by joining the Young Greens. In 2022, I attended the Young Greens 30 under 30 scheme which aims to empower young people to play a strong part in green politics, and so in my final year at the University of Bath I decided to apply for a role in the University Green Party. This led me to getting involved with the local party, and here I am!
I believe that regardless of how long you live somewhere, it is essential that you work towards improving the area for people and the environment, and we need big change here in Bath if we are to play our role in tackling the climate crisis. The Greens are here to face the challenge head on, and I know that morally I need to be a part of it.