Banner: Geoff Bagnall, Petrina Lees

Press Release: Residents for Uttlesford endorses 2 additional Independent candidates who are focused on local issues

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Tuesday 5th May 2015, Uttlesford: Residents for Uttlesford (R4U), the local advocacy group for towns and villages, has announced that is that it has endorsed the election campaigns of two Independent candidates in ward seats where it is not standing a candidates itself.

Cllr John Lodge, R4U Chairman Cllr John Lodge (R4U Chairman)
Residents for Uttlesford chair Cllr John Lodge said “It is important that residents get the best representation possible on the local issues that affect them. We have chosen to endorse the campaigns of 2 additional Independent candidates. These candidates have been put forward by their own residents’ groups or have an outstanding record of serving their communities. It is time for locals to decide what is best and so we urge residents to vote for them.” Residents for Uttlesford is endorsing the following Uttlesford District Council campaigns:

  • Elsenham & Henham ward – Petrina Lees, Independent supported by local residents;
  • Takeley ward – Geoff Bagnall, Independent Parish Councillor who has represented Takeley residents’ on Local Plan issues;

R4U is standing 2 candidates in the Takeley ward, Natalie Sullivan and Peter Emsden. The group is endorsing the Independent campaign of Parish Councillor Geoff Bagnall for the 3rd seat.

Geoff Bagnall (Ind) Geoff Bagnall (Independent, Takeley)
Geoff Bagnall, Independent candidate for Takeley said “I am an advocate of Localism but it’s just not working at the moment. I fully support the aims of R4U that on local issues locals should decide, not Westminster parties. I am also supporting the campaign of the Residents for Uttlesford team, where there is great support for local decisions on the doorstep.”
Petrina Lees (Ind) Petrina Lees (Independent, Elsenham & Henham)
Petrina Lees, Independent candidate for the Elsenham and Henham ward said “The old Westminster parties aren’t serving local needs – it’s time for locals to stand up for themselves and decide their own future. I am excited by the opportunity to best represent the residents of the Elsenham and Henham ward.” R4U are standing 30 of their own candidates for the 39 seats on Uttlesford District Council at the May 7th Local Elections.

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About Residents for Uttlesford

Residents for Uttlesford (R4U) is the local independent party of north-west Essex towns and villages. Formed in 2014 by a number of residents’ groups, the party believes that on local issues residents should decide, not Westminster parties. R4U’s success has been based on the desire to give local people a voice and implement long range strategic and sustainable plans for their area.

R4U leads Uttlesford District Council (UDC). In its first election in 2015 it became the second party at UDC. In the May 2019 R4U gained majority control of UDC winning two-thirds of the seats. The result delivered the biggest loss of seats by any UK Conservative controlled council in the UK. In 2021 the party won half the Essex County Council seats in Uttlesford district.

R4U also leads Saffron Walden Town Council, where under its stewardship the council has rebuilt finances, invested in community assets, and won multiple awards, including the best run council in Essex. It is a minority party on Great Dunmow Town Council.

Residents for Uttlesford can be found on the web at www.residents4u.org.

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