ON May 22, East Surrey will head to the polls to elect members of Reigate and Banstead Borough Council.
Here we give all the candidates the chance to speak for themselves.Banstead VillageChris Byrne (Ukip)Chris Howell (Lib Dem)
Chris works as a personal tutor in and around Reigate and Banstead, and as a Chess coach with several local schools. Chris has been prominent in fighting for improvements to public transport and campaigns to protect the green belt. Chris campaigned with the team for a 20mph speed limit outside of all our schools.Samuel Thomas Walsh (Con)
Banstead is a vibrant, attractive Village, which has developed whilst retaining its character. With the continued pressure on housing we must resist the pressure for unnecessary and inappropriate developments within the village and to protect the Village, the surrounding greenbelt and the Borough as a whole.
I have represented the Village since 2006. Throughout that time I have sat on the Borough Planning Committee to ensure your views are heard and your concerns are openly dealt with.
I intend to continue in this role to use my professional knowledge, skills and experience for the benefit of all residents of the Village.Chipstead, Hooley and WoodmansterneMarcus John Harriott (Ukip)Richard Stanley Mantle (Con)
I have successfully represented the Conservative Party in the 2006 and 2010 elections in this ward and hope to continue for a further term in the forthcoming election.
During my Council career I have served on a range of committees including Planning, Standards, Licensing and Regulatory and enjoy the variety of community engagement that each offers.
As a serving Councillor I sit on a number of outside bodies including Banstead Commons Conservators, Downsland Countryside Management, the Banstead Centre, and various Banstead and Woodmansterne Charities.
I work closely with my fellow Conservative Councillors and attend Residents' Association meetings as often as possible.Earlswood and WhitebushesJohn Drew (Ukip)Sue Fenton (Green)
Sue Fenton is a freelance journalist who lives in Whitebushes. She is active in the local CND and Stop the War groups and volunteers at a local dog rescue centre. Sue believes that environmental and community considerations – rather than the benefit of big business - should be at the heart of political decision-making. She wants to add to the Green presence on the council in order to challenge the unhealthy dominance of a single party and to promote local recycling and environmental projects.Jane Nicola Kulka (Lib Dem)
Helen is 28 years old, has lived in the area her whole life and runs a business on Reigate High Street where she has worked for over twelve years. Outside of work she is studying towards an Open University degree in Child Psychology. Helen has been actively involved in many local Lib Dem campaigns in the past including Reigate Priory developments, recycling schemes and parking concerns. If elected she will provide a voice of reason and common sense on the council. Her priorities for Reigate Central include adequate provision of school places and affordable housing as well as seeing local taxpayers' money spent on causes that will benefit all.Rita Renton (Con)
Rita was first elected in 2010 and has been a portfolio holder for the past 2 years. Living locally for 40 years, Rita's interests include the welfare and support of young people, health and community safety and this has been reflected in her term of office. For the future, she will work to ensure the regeneration of all our towns continues and that council income will be spent wisely.Helen Young (Lab)Horley CentralThom Brown (Green)
Thom Brown is a professional IT consultant and trainer. He says, "We need a Council that works sustainably and for the interests of everyone. More Green Councillors would mean a louder voice to resist damaging budget cuts, unsustainable development and to promote affordable housing in our Borough."Tim Deevoy (Lib Dem)Rukshana Horwood (Con)
Rukshana Horwood has lived in Horley for 25 years and is married with a six-year old daughter.
Rukshana enjoys working in and around the community. She has worked with the Salvation Army and has volunteered as a teacher of English as a foreign language. She is passionate about helping people, which led her to put herself forward as the Conservative candidate for Horley Central. As a mum and a resident, she speaks to other mums who take a great interest in their children's schools.
Rukshana believes that we have a great community in Horley and wants to work for fellow residents.Linda Jane Mabbett (Lab)Christian Stevens (Ukip)
I have lived in Horley for most of my life and work in the area as an administrator for a local company.
I have a staunch belief in democracy and became involved in politics as I believe it is better to be proactive to bring about the change and improvements on the issues that affect our lives each and every day. As your UKIP Councillor I will tirelessly stand up and ensure the residents of Horley Central get a better deal!Horley EastMalcolm Roger Brighting (Ukip)
I am married and have lived in Horley for the last 12 years. I have worked as a HR professional for over 30 years in many sectors: Public, private and currently in the healthcare sector. I enjoy sports and walking in the country side. If you elect me I will work hard to get a better deal for Horley East residents.Barry James Hamilton (Lib Dem)Graham John Knight (Con)
Elected for the first time in 2010, Graham has worked hard for Horley East and our town over the last four years. He was Leader of the Conservative Group from 2011 to 2013.
Together with Horley's other Councillors, he led the fight against on-street parking in our town centres and has worked hard to ensure the Borough Council's costs are kept to a minimum.
Graham's principal interests are the promotion and regeneration of Horley Town Centre. He sees the role of Councillor as the representative of the people who vote, not as an employee or spokesperson for the Council.Gerry O`Dwyer (Lab)Katie Smith (Green)
Katie Smith is married and mum to one teenager and works as a digital strategist. Katie says, "I was born in Redhill and have lived in the area most of my life. I believe our community deserves better from our Council, and I want to make sure that commercial interests are properly balanced against the real needs of local people.Horley WestSoo Abram (Green)
Soo Abram is a graphic designer who has lived in Redhill for over 30 years. She believes that sound environmental policy, freedom, fairness and social justice are entirely compatible with the economic success of the business sector, local communities and the country as a whole. She believes that the shift away from these essential values by the three mainstream parties is already damaging society, and will lead to even greater problems in future. The Green Party has the vision, policies and will to re-establish these values.Tim Brooke-Harte (Ukip)
I have lived in Horley for 35 years. Married with children and grandchildren, I am a practicing Christian and a member of several Horley clubs. I work for an airline caterer at Gatwick Airport. I want to be your voice in the Borough Council FIGHTING for a better Horley and ensuring residents of Horley West shall be heard!Alexander Horwood (Con)
Alexander has been a Horley councillor for the past four years and has worked closely with residents, council officers and colleagues to ensure Horley is well represented within the Borough. Alexander would like to continue this work to ensure Horley's residents receive the best quality in front-line services. As a School Governor, he knows the demands on the provision of school places in Horley.
Alexander recognises the issues that Horley will face in the future regarding homes, schools, the town centre and Gatwick Airport and is keen to play a part in ensuring Horley continues to prosper.Geoffrey Smith (Lab)Geoff Southall (Lib Dem)Kingswood with Burgh HeathBob Cambridge (Ukip)
I am a video engineer and have lived in Lower Kingswood with my wife Phyll since 1988 and have two sons.
We must prioritise the cutting of wasteful expenditure such as excessive advertising and self-promotion budgets . That way we can keep council tax under proper control.
I will campaign for speed plateaus for traffic calming and more parking for local shopping areas to help small businesses.
I strongly support having binding referenda on major local planning proposals: this is real democracy in action. Derek Smith (Green)
Derek is a retired professional engineer and lives in Redhill with his wife. He has been a Green Party member for 20 years and is the secretary and treasurer of the local branch. Derek says, "We're causing so much environmental damage that I seriously worry for the future for my four grand-children. The Green Party is the only party which takes this seriously enough."Joan Spiers (Con)
I have lived in Kingswood for over 35 years, and brought my children up here. I have served this Council for thirty of those years, serving on many committees, and have been the Council Leader for eleven years, a challenge I have enjoyed. Like many of you I hate the changes forced upon us but accept that change is inevitable.Meadvale and St John'sJohn Steven Godden (Con)
I have lived in the Borough for 13 years having identified the area as having the perfect balance of open space and town facilities in which to bring up my family.
Prior to that I lived in Kingston, where I was a Councillor for 8 years and gained valuable experience both representing the residents of my ward and also taking responsibility for a number of Council departments including Leisure, Housing and Finance.
With my children now growing up and my business established, I have the time, energy and focus once again to stand for election, hopefully putting my experience, abilities and opinions to good use.Steve Alan Kulka (Lib Dem)
Steve has been a Councillor for the past twelve years. He has served on many community groups during this time, including: Woodhatch Community Association; Redhill Shopmobility; Earlswood Common Management Group and as a School Governor for Reigate Priory School. He is a member of the Council Planning Committee and previously served on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Standards Committee. Steve has lived in the Redhill and Reigate area for the past 28 years and is married to Jane. They have two grown children who both attended Reigate School and Reigate College.Malcolm Kemp Savidge (Lab)Colin Brian Stiff (Ukip)
I have lived in the area all my life so I know it well. I have served The community and wish to continue to serve.
I was for a number of years the Chairman ofd Whitebushes Residents Association and founded the Whitebushes Community Centre. I was in the Surrey Police Service for 32 years and was recently a Parish councilor for Salfords and Sidlow. MersthamPhyll Cambridge (Ukip)Graeme Philip Crome (Con)
It's a privilege to be a Merstham Councillor. I have lived at the heart of our community for most of my life and I really enjoy working to improve Merstham for everyone, friends, neighbours, community groups, local businesses.
Merstham matters to me, let's work to make it even better.Stewart James Dack (Lab)Deanna Elizabeth Durward (Lib Dem)
Deanna was a Borough Councillor until 2003 for Merstham. Deanna worked as a health visitor in this Borough and is now retired. Deanna wants to see the council increase the facilities it offers for recycling not just from home but for retail traders too. She would also like to see an improvement in facilities for the children and young people of Merstham. Deanna has been a prominent part of many of the local Liberal Democrats' campaigns for school places and more housing.NorkAndré Grant (Ukip)
I am a local man and a Specialist Residential Property Surveyor by profession.
I joined UKIP in 2012 because the Party believes in the freedom won by the many men and women who gave their lives over the past century so that we could live in a democracy and not be governed by bureaucrats.
I like its brand of honesty and common sense policies and the fact it does not have the whip in local politics, leaving local councillors to do what is in the best interests of their community. Chris Reynolds (Con)
I moved to Reigate & Banstead in 1979 and have known Nork almost all my life. I spent eight years as a Councillor in neighbouring Mole Valley and wish to represent the interests of the residents of Nork.
I am honest, dedicated, enthusiastic and thorough and I am a member of the same party as our MP with whom I have worked for the last fourteen years. I wish to preserve our green belt and work with residents over back garden developments. I will run a monthly drop in surgery – no appointment needed. Please support me vote REYNOLDS.Brian Albert Stead (Nork Residents' Association)
Brian is a tireless contributor to Nork's life, having represented the ward since 1995. He has served as Mayor and is currently Chairman of the important Overview and Scrutiny Committee. He vigorously opposes planning applications for the intensive development of back gardens which threaten Nork's green character. He is determined to seek value for money from the Council Budget by thorough scrutiny.Redhill EastJohn Michael Berge (Lab)Richard William Coad (Con)
Richard has lived in Redhill East for six years and is an engineering Project Manager.
Richard has a 14 year international business career working on the development of major energy projects. His professional experience includes commercial and contracts management and he has postgraduate qualifications in applied mathematics.
Richard is a member of his local Residents' Association at Watercolour.
He is a governor of a local primary school, a Russian speaker and his own children go to school in Earlswood.
Over the past two years he has campaigned in favour of providing a new primary school in Redhill.Jonathan Essex (Green)
Jonathan Essex is a civil engineer and an active community campaigner. He has lived in Redhill for 15 years, is married to Fiona, and is a member of the Reigate Society and Redhill Baptist Church. He is a trustee of the local Council for Voluntary Services and of Furnistore. Jonathan has served as Borough Councillor for Redhill East for the past four years, and as County Councillor for the last year. Derek Graham French (Ukip)
I am a Surrey-born resident 58 years old now living in Redhill for over two years. I enjoy walking and cycling I am very concerned about protection of the Green Belt and the need for sensible plans for Redhill town centre development to accommodate residents and commuters alike. I believe there is a need for more common sense decisions. Examples include better parking for cars which promotes the economy around Redhill. I seriously question the council's priorities by spending £1.5m on the local memorial park which seems a ridiculous sum at this time.Rob Kulka (Lib Dem)
Rob has lived in this borough for most of his life, attending local schools & college and The University of Surrey. He is a Doctor of Engineering and works as an engineering consultant for a Surrey engineering company. This provides engineering and technology expertise to a variety of industries. He wants to see sustainability considered for all new developments. Redhill WestJohn William Barton (Lab)Andrew James Cressy (Lib Dem)
Andrew lives in the ward he is hoping to represent and has lived in this area for most of his life. He is a well-known member of the community. He owns a small firm of accountants with many clients in the local area. Andrew has been a member and campaigner for the Liberal Democrats for over 20 years. David Pay (Con)
David has been a Borough Councillor for Redhill for fourteen years. Every year since his election he has served on the Planning Committee, holding the position of Vice Chairman for two terms, and more recently, Chairman for two terms.
He has been Mayor of the Borough for two separate terms, and has served for 12 years with the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Always a defender of the Green Belt and of historic buildings, his interest remains with both the natural and the built environment, always advocating the use of local materials fashioned in the local style.Tim Pearson (Ukip)
I will campaign for a REAL local voice for the protection of our Green belt and the limitation of housing development, yet fight against unproven and unscientific Green measures that only increase fear and the Council's budget.
I will campaign for weekly bin collections, a vital council service, as it protects us against fly tipping, rats, smells and possible disease.
I am passionate about increasing services and help for the homeless and vulnerable in our society. We need initiatives that will help local businesses to flourish, which will increase wages and provide more jobs. Phil Wilson (Green)
Philip Wilson has lived or worked in Reigate & Banstead since 2010 and is currently living in Salfords village. Philip says, "Greens elected onto the local Council have continued to work hard with local residents to make a real difference. More Greens will help us achieve greater things and ensure we provide an effective opposition to the Tory-dominated Council".Reigate CentralMichael Stewart Blacker (Con)
I was born in the Borough and have lived here all my life. I have been married to Evelyn for over 40 years, and have three married daughters, and three grandchildren.
I have 17 years' experience as a Councillor, including a period representing this area.
By profession I am a Charted Structural Engineer and I have experience with planning matters both professionally and as a former member of the Planning Committee. I have battled against the use of our precious Green Belt for development and have given evidence at Public Inquiries.
I live locally and my office is in Reigate.Helen Jane Kulka (Lib Dem)
Jane has lived in the ward for the past 28 years and was a councillor for this ward in the early 90's and was part of the team that introduced the at home recycling scheme, improvements for the housing stock and the help shops. Jane works as a School Business Manager for a large Girls school in London.
She is married to Steve, a local Councillor for a neighbouring ward. They have two grown children who attended the two primary schools in the ward and then Reigate School and Reigate College. Jane stood as the parliamentary candidate for the Reigate constituency the past three general elections. Stephen David Alfred Russell (Ukip)
"The South-East of England has always been my home. I value everything and everyone who comes to enjoy this wonderful part of the world.
I am a professional, a father of three at school in Surrey and I hope for them to live and prosper here.
I strive for local decisions and local responsibility: a government that does good work with light touches, that is transparent in its dealings and leaves the individual to determine their own way.
I want a say in our community and a voice in our country."Robin Paul Spencer (Lab)Sarah Vaci (Green)
I am a special needs teacher, Eco-schools assessor and community filmmaker as well as a mother. I am passionate about supporting and bringing together older and younger generations, improving access to local public transport and dealing with traffic and environmental issues as well as supporting local, independent businesses and charities. I will strive to develop a safer, healthier and more harmonious community in Reigate and I am very keen to ensure all local residents' views and concerns are heard and dealt with fairly and efficiently.
Fenella Rosemary Whinney (Ind)Reigate HillLisa Jane Brunt (Con)
I have lived in the borough for 18 years with my husband Mark. I have served as one of Reigate Hill's borough councillors since 2006.
I am an active member of the Borough's Planning Committee, working closely with local residents and local residents' associations to represent their views, in order to preserve and enhance Reigate Hill's special character.
I work as a teacher and have served as a school governor at a local primary school for the past 12 years.Laurence James Clack (Ukip)Andrew David Saunders (Lab)South Park and WoodhatchMoray William Macleod Carey (Lib Dem)
Moray attended Reigate St Mary's school and worked at Reigate counter when employed by the Post Office. A resident of South Park for 25 years he served on the Reigate Priory Athletic Club Committee which played a prominent role in restoring the out of use Battlebridge track for sporting purposes. He is also in favour of more recreational facilities being provided throughout the Borough for the benefit of all. He desires a fairer, proportional voting system to ensure all shades of opinion are represented when decisions are made, guaranteeing genuine democracy. Joseph Brian Fox (Ukip)
I am a local man through and through, having lived and worked in the borough all my life.
Reigate Town Hall needs genuine opposition. It needs to be held to account by an independent voice.
Even if local councils object to developments, they are often over-ruled by Central Government, which, under the coalition, is on a mission to cover this part of the country with concrete. I would fight tooth and nail to stop any building on the Green Belt. UKIP would make major planning decisions subject to binding local referendums. That's because UKIP trusts the people more than we trust the government. Simon Glenn John Rickman (Con)
I am Simon Rickman, and I live in Woodhatch with Suzanne and my two children, aged 13 and 15, who both very happily attend Reigate School.
I have just started up a motorcycle training school in partnership with South Park Football Club.
I have a keen interest in the youth facilities within the area and have actively helped and supported the 14th Reigate Scout Division.
I have lived in this area for many years and I would like the opportunity to continue to represent this area.Graham Wildridge (Lab)Tadworth and WaltonSonja Begley-Moore (Lib Dem)Valerie Ann Moore (Ukip)
I have lived in Tadworth for 15 years. I am a widow and have one daughter and one delightful 5 year old grandson .I worked in Financial Services before retiring through ill health.
The council should restrict the excessive advertising and self-promotion budgets and abolish all non-essential and "politically-correct" services. That way we can keep council tax under proper control.
I will campaign against back garden development, and for speed plateaus for traffic calming, more parking for local shopping areas to help small businesses and weekly rubbish collections.Alistair Patrick Galbraith Morten (Green)
Alistair lives with his family in Tadworth and Walton and works in local government supporting older people. He believes that only the Green Party is committed to creating communities that are vibrant, inclusive and sustainable.Rachel Sandra Turner (Con)
Rachel has lived in Tadworth for many years, and for the last 14 years fighting to retain essential services at Epsom Hospital, a cause helped by her membership of the Surrey County Council Health Scrutiny Committee
She has served as a Councillor for 14 years and understands issues confronting people living in Tadworth and Walton on the Hill, and will always support local residents with their problems and queries.TattenhamsIain Bonner-Fomes (Ukip)
Council services should be run for the benefit of the council tax payers. Too often these services seem to be run for the benefit of those administering them.
UKIP will work to make these services more accountable to you.
Furthermore parking is becoming a major issue in every town. If we wish to keep our town centres open we need to allow people to park for free. An hour should be the minimum free time.
I strongly support UKIP's policy on having binding referendums on major planning issues, giving people a direct say on what most affects their livesBob Harper (Tatt Residents' Association)
Bob works as an engineer and is a lifelong local resident, serving as a Councillor since 2002. His aim is to keep Tattenhams a safe, clean and pleasant place to live. He has campaigned to rebuild the Banstead swimming pool, and is heavily involved in the Preston Regeneration Project. He believes that party politics are best kept out of local government. Jane Illingworth (Con)
I have been a Tattenhams resident for many years, involved in and passionate about our local community. I am absolutely dedicated to The Tattenhams; it is time for some new blood on our Council and I hope that I can count on your support and involvement. Please do get in touch!"
Conservative Councillors have a track record of delivering value for money and protecting your services. We will refuse to change Greenbelt boundaries unless local communities demonstrate very special circumstances to release the protective status. The preservation and conservation of the character and environment of our Ward is a personal passion of Jane's.Some candidates had not responded as the Mirror went to press
