Category Archives: Council Area

Cllr Arthur Coote

Arthur Coote is a well-respected Saffron Walden town councillor for the Castle ward. He was born in the town where he lives with his wife. He’s a director of the Bell Nursery and active in many other aspects of town life.

“I’m a strong believer that councils can work harder to do more to create an environment that allows the next generation to grow and give back to society. Through its actions R4U has shown it focuses on the issues that matter and cares about making a difference for local people. After years of being actively engaged with Labour, I joined R4U because they’ve shown that they are the party willing to work collaboratively for local people.” Arthur Coote

Several councillors have switched to R4U from the traditional parties because being free of a national agenda allows them to focus 100% on local residents with local issues.  Nationally Arthur is a long time Labour Party supporter. He was elected as a councillor to Saffron Walden Town Council in 2015 and to Uttlesford District Council in 2019. He is mayor of Saffron Walden for the 2019/2020 year.

WardRolesAbout/BioContact
Councillor at Saffron Walden Town Council, Councillor at Uttlesford District Council, Mayor (SWTC), Member: Assets and Services (SWTC), Member: Finance and Establishment (SWTC), Member: Local Joint Panel (UDC), Member: Planning and Road Traffic (SWTC), Member: Scrutiny Committee (UDC)

Arthur Coote is a well-respected Saffron Walden town councillor. He was born in the town where he lives with his wife. Arthur is active in many aspects of town life including the Baptist Church. Key interest areas for him are community, equality, youth development and sports.

He’s is a family man who is committed to youth development. Arthur is a director and manager of the Bell Nursery in Saffron Walden and member of the charity Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY). Two of his children have followed him into education as both are head-teachers, and the third has followed a career in law.

Arthur is a lifelong member of Essex Cricket Club and a strong advocate for sports and healthy lifestyles. He’s been active in the funding and design of new playgrounds by Saffron Walden Town Council, and been working to provide more open spaces and sports facilities.

Nationally and locally Arthur has been a long-time supporter of the Labour Party. He was elected as a councillor to Saffron Walden Town Council in 2015 and serves as Mayor for the 2019/2020 year. Like a number of councillors from all the main national parties, he joined R4U to create a difference locally.

Arthur Coote says “Over the last 50 years I have taken part in hundreds of campaigns for Labour candidates. I have stood for office to try to create a more equal society and have been a member of the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party. Over the last 4 years it’s become clear that the best way to represent local residents and uphold the ideals I stand for at the district council is by joining R4U. R4U has shown they care about the community’s future and want to create a positive difference for local people. They’ve proven that they are the only party that has the skills and support to deliver for local people. In my mind it’s simple: I will continue to vote for Labour on national issues, but am standing for R4U to deliver local things for local residents. I urge others to vote local Resident for local matters.”

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Cllr Patrick Lavelle

Patrick’s career in the pharma sector will give him a unique perspective into one of our region’s important industries including being able to scrutinise UDC’s £50m investment in Chesterford Research Park.

“Residents need strong representation to ensure that their views and heard and acted on. One of the biggest concerns in the area is new housing. Along with new housing we need to protect the environment and include the necessary infrastructure and recreational facilities to support the needs of both current and future residents.” Patrick Lavelle

Patrick is an R4U councillor for the Uttlesford Dunmow South & Barnston Ward. The ward has 3 councillors and his R4U team mates are Colin Day and Rod Jones.

WardRolesAbout/BioContact
Chair: Licensing and Environmental Health Committee (UDC), Councillor at Great Dunmow Town Council, Councillor at Uttlesford District Council

Patrick Lavelle has taken early retirement after a successful 35 year career in the pharmaceutical industry. His career in the pharma sector will give him a unique perspective into one of our region’s most important industries, including being able to scrutinise UDC’s £50m investment in Chesterford Research Park.

Other areas that interest Patrick are policing and reducing crime, and the issues related to large new housing developments in the area.

If elected he would like to ensure that new housing proposals were properly scrutinised and development controlled to benefit residents. He would like to make sure that due consideration is given to the impact on the environment, on the local services (schools, medical facilities and recreational facilities) as well as supporting infrastructure including not just vehicular access but also public transport, cycling and walking access.

Patrick lives in the ward he wishes to represent.

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Cllr Rod Jones

Rod Jones lives in Dunmow with his wife. After nearly 25 years in the Armed Services defending democracy, he stood for R4U to do the same at a local level. In his spare time he’s an active part of the Friends of the Flitch Way.

“To be a councillor is a great honour and privilege. It takes hard work and dedication to properly represent your Town or Ward. Being elected as a councillor shouldn’t be dependent on the colour of your rosette and no matter the outcome of a decision or vote I will always look a person in the eye and say ‘I tried my best’.” Rod Jones

WardRolesAbout/BioContact
Councillor at Great Dunmow Town Council, Councillor at Uttlesford District Council, Member: Scrutiny Committee (UDC)

 Where you live and how long you’ve lived in the area?

I live in Great Dunmow and moved here in Jan 2015 after retiring from the Armed Forces (nearly 25 years of service). I have moved around a lot, visited and worked in many counties and countries; Dunmow is where my wife and I have chosen to make our home.

Any councillor (e.g. parish) or political experience you may have?

I have no previous political experience but I understand the difficulties of dealing with local issues and getting results that benefit all. I am pragmatic and realise you have to be willing to put your head above the parapet in order to make yours and others voices heard.

Any work details that you may want to highlight that add to your experience?

The military wasn’t the best place to practice democracy but it sure gave me a reason to defend it. I am determined, passionate, will not accept second best and will fight for anyone in my Town, Ward and District to ensure democracy is well and truly alive and kicking.

Are you involved in an community or residents’ groups, boards, charities, or volunteering?

I am a member of the Friends of the Flitch Way and when I can spare the time I volunteer for their work parties to help maintain the nationally recognised bridleway and cycle trail.

I have campaigned to improve a local byway damaged by irresponsible ‘off-roaders’ that has encompassed a multi-agency approach.

Why did you stand, what are your hot topics and what would you like to achieve?

Local politics by local people, after all we all have to live with the decisions made in our name now and into the future. Houses are built; homes and communities are made by the people in them. My achievement will be to do what a councillor is elected to do and fairly represent those that elected me. If I do that, its achievement enough!

Why did you think standing for Residents for Uttlesford is important?

Local government decisions should not be based on the colour of a rosette or what you have been ‘whipped’ to make. Hard decisions have to be made and so should be done on evidence, cross party and with without forgetting the effect on current and future generations. After all we are human and making people’s lives better or trying to mitigate the negative effects of policy decisions is what our councillors should be striving to achieve.

R4U and other such likeminded councillors are trying to do this, however the current structure of the council means they are out voted. In the ideal world this shouldn’t matter, in the real world it does and so the district needs more ‘non-politically’ but resident centric councillors.

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