As we draw closer to the local elections on Thursday 6 May, Frodsham Nub News will be interviewing those standing for Frodsham ward councillor on Cheshire West and Chester Council, hearing more about their key priorities and what they would hope to achieve if elected.

Today we heard from Labour candidate, Mike Garvey, a former police officer who has lived in Frodsham for 25 years. During this time, he has been involved with several different community groups, including the Green Gates Community Project.

If elected to Cheshire West and Chester Council, Mike would concentrate on supporting local businesses as they emerge from lockdown, championing sustainable conservation and decarbonisation initiatives and delivering 'first class' sport and wellbeing provision in the town.

Frodsham Nub News: Why did you decide to stand for election as Frodsham ward councillor and what do you think you can bring to the role?

Mike Garvey: "I believe that Frodsham has an opportunity for better representation than it has been receiving in recent years. We have elected Conservative councillors when Cheshire West and Chester has a Labour administration. I want to work with the Labour administration to get things done for Frodsham, not play opposition politics.

"I have a plan for Hope in our town and it is based on my involvement in a number of local community groups over the years, each providing me with an insight into the best interests of our wonderful town. Each group certainly has differing aims, but they all possess one common purpose – making Frodsham and the surrounding villages a better place to live and visit. Having been with the Police for almost forty years, my attention to detail, tenacity, hard work and respect for others have stood me in very good stead. These same personal qualities will assist me in providing the best possible representation for the people and businesses of Frodsham."

FNN: Recently, Saltworks Playing Fields has been the focus of many community conversations. What actions would you take to tackle incidents of antisocial behaviour there and in other locations around the town?

MG: "It is important to recognise that anti-social behaviour exists in many forms and must not be tolerated at any level. The antisocial behaviour I see does not restrict itself to young people, nor is it exclusive to the Saltworks Playing Fields, but this is an area where I am committed to taking action.

"Other examples of antisocial behaviour include speeding on our residential streets, or near to schools, as well as littering and fly-tipping. It is important to address all of these issues through engagement, education and enforcement. I would work not only with our Police and Crime Commissioner, who I have spoken with already and who has delivered on his promise to have a named Police Officer and PCSO in every neighbourhood (including Frodsham), but also with our police officers and staff, as well as other partner agencies and the voluntary sector.

"Recently we have seen great examples of communities working together here in Frodsham to tackle the issues we face, which is certainly something I would accelerate as a councillor for our town."

FNN: A lot has been said recently about the future of Frodsham Leisure Centre and in your campaign you mention 'replacing the current facility with a first class health, fitness, well-being and library service.'Could you tell me more about this?

MG: "I have always been very clear that I want to see quality health, leisure and library services in Frodsham. The current building is an old school and has never been fit for purpose. We shouldn't settle for this – we can do better.

"That's why Labour is currently consulting on what this service should look like in the future and it is an opportunity for you to have your say. My view is that I want a wellbeing service for our town that is complimented by a string of leisure facilities along the A56 which stretches from the rowing club on the Weaver to Helsby High's new 3G pitches. At the heart of this health corridor, I would like to see collaboration between different partners which offers health and fitness, combined with library and community hub, on the Princeway site in the centre of our town."

FNN: Could you tell me more about the plans for a new train service connecting Helsby and Ellesmere Port, and how you would support this as a councillor?

MG: "This is an exciting part of the Ellesmere Port Industrial Area plans, which will bring thousands of new science, engineering, energy and manufacturing jobs to our area. Labour is proposing the world's first Net Zero Carbon industrial area along our waterfront, which will decarbonise existing industry and offer a low carbon, hydrogen-based energy source for regional transportation networks and local industry via the HyNet project.

"Part of the plans include digital and transport infrastructure improvements that we can all benefit from. A train link serving the industrial area and running between Helsby and Ellesmere Port stations is one example of this, but the vision for services using the line does not end there.

"Labour is submitting a business case for the electrification of the line past Ellesmere Port to Hooton, opening opportunities for better connectivity with key North West destinations using the newly opened Halton Curve as well. The vision for the Ellesmere Port Industrial Area is being delivered by our Labour council and as Frodsham's Labour councillor I will play an active role in ensuring our town sees the benefit of the investment and environmental improvements this project will bring."

FNN: How do you plan to support Frodsham's businesses as we emerge from lockdown?

MG: "Support for local business is the first step in my five point plan for Frodsham town centre, which includes continuing to provide rapid support payments when required plus online resources like webinars for businesses to get help with understanding the latest restrictions.

"The second point in my five point plan is support with re-opening, this means cleansing the streets, making sure the planters look nice, cleansing street furniture like benches, continuing the CCTV installation project and helping businesses to put Covid-secure measures in place so that residents feel safe returning to our shops. The CCTV project is being funded and delivered by Cheshire West and Chester Council, with a contribution to the annual cots from Frodsham Town Council. The cameras will be positioned at The Bears Paw, pointing in different directions and near the Post Office. As well as keeping people safe, it will also help catch perpetrators of crime against local businesses.

"Thirdly, as Frodsham's councillor I would work with community groups and the Town Council on events that drive footfall into the town. This includes supporting market day but also other events that bring visitors and local people together to celebrate our wonderful town and share its natural assets like Frodsham Hill, the river and the Sandstone Trail.

"Fourth, I would like to develop a masterplan for Frodsham which identifies brownfield sites for town centre housing, supports new job creation and infrastructure improvements in the industrial area, and retains the health, fitness and library offer in our town to help drive footfall.

"Finally, there is a common misconception that the Council sets business rates, which are actually set by the government. However, as Frodsham's councillor I will work with landlords to find uses for empty properties and I will work with other councillors and our MP to lobby for changes in the business rate system to make it fairer for high street businesses to be able to compete with internet giants like Amazon."

FNN: Tackling the climat emergency is clearly a key priority for the Council, but wat type of eco-friendly projects and initiatives would you like to see happen in Frodsham in particular?

"The Climate Emergency is not just a local matter but one of global importance. Under Labour, Cheshire West and Chester Council declared a Climate Emergency in May 2019, and a dedicated Climate Emergency Taskforce was established. In February 2021, Labour councillors approved the taskforce's plan for the Borough to become carbon neutral by 2045.

"Here in Frodsham, this means we will benefit from better air quality as a result of decarbonising industry along the waterfront, it means access to lower carbon transport options like improved train and bus services, it means more cycling and walking infrastructure (like the new cycleway to Helsby) and access to electric vehicle charging points in the town centre.

"We have one of the best waste collection services in the country, with a high recycling rate and the lowest carbon output, but continuing to promote the idea of 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle' amongst residents of Frodsham will be one of my priorities.

"I will also be encouraging people to shop local to reduce individual carbon footprints, whilst also supporting local businesses. I will work with local groups to deliver Labour's new wildflower and biodiversity strategy which should boost insect numbers as part of addressing the impact that human activity is having on local eco-systems. I will work with Mersey Forest on projects in Frodsham as part of Labour's partnership work to deliver one of the most exciting re-wilding projects in the country - planting a new northern forest.

"Protecting green space is one of the cornerstones of Labour's environmental and health and wellbeing strategies. That's why I am involved in the Green Gates Community Project. I hope that Frodsham Town Council will embrace these proposals to secure a greener and cleaner future for us all.

"Labour's plan for Frodsham is all encompassing. It is a plan for Hope in the future. Taking action on areas of high pollution like our Air Quality Management zone at Fluin Lane, attracting funding for sustainable transport networks using the Rural Mobility Fund which we successfully applied for and received recently, and making improvements to active travel options like the new Helsby cycle link, are all visible, practical and current examples of action Labour is taking to improve the environment in Frodsham. Vote for me on the 6 May and I will keep up this good work."

You can watch Mike's campaign videos on the Frodsham & District Labour Facebook page, or read more on his online campaign.