Paul Wallis - Proud to live and work in Pershore
Thank you for taking the time to read this
Our beautiful market town is renown for its heritage.
We have our wonderful Abbey and historic High Street as well as the famous Pershore Bridge where battles have been fought for our country’s freedom.
As an English man and Veteran our history means the world to me as does all our community. Being a Town Councillor for Pershore is an honour and a privilege as well as a legacy of all this town has to be proud of.
I would be deeply honoured to be your Town Councillor, and my first commitment would be to fight to preserve our heritage and identity.
As a highly qualified and experienced electrical engineer, solving problems and engineering solutions has formed a large part of my life.
I’m experienced with working professionally within corporate structures and understand the need for excellence, probity and transparency as well as delivery and cost control.
I would very much like to apply those skills in supporting the Town Council and all the Holy Cross residents of Pershore.
#Paul4Pershore
Crime in Pershore
Although we have a thriving community here in Pershore, we are seeing a rise in crime and anti-social behaviour. I would like to introduce a new Neighbourhood Watch scheme and work with the Town Council’s current action plan on ensuring local people can be empowered to safely report issues and demand action. Too little is being done to stop brazen crime and unacceptable behaviour locally. We pay for our police service and as a Town Council we need to shout louder to demand value for money and that all of us should feel safe and not simply observers of crime.
Pershore needs Value for Money
Spending by the Town Council is quite frankly staggering and I know there are many who have concerns generally about financial control in the Town’s finance. I’m very concerned to see the lack of Anti Money Laundering policies in place. This is of specific concerns when we have had an increase in suspected organised crime on our high street here. We are seeing an obvious decline in local, independent businesses that our town has always been proud of. If a business is attracting police activity and anti-social behaviour, it needs to go. There are things Town and District Councils can do about that, and I would intend to ensure that happens in future.
Looking after our Pensioners
Our elderly are struggling. I want to be there on the Town Council to truly represent their needs within the town. Are we doing enough to ensure their voices are heard and listened to? Do we have enough community support that the Town Council can offer. I know from talking to many they feel they’re not being told about activities etc. in the town because they’re excluded by everything being online. I’d like to ensure more engagement and support for our older residents.
Keeping Everyone Safe
I would also like to ensure the Town Council put in place a Safeguarding Policy. At present they do not have one and that concerns and shocks me. With all the events and youth work the town council is involved in we must ensure our children, young people and vulnerable adults are fully protected from harm and risk. It is a concerning demonstration that the current administration is missing that kind of insight into protecting our community. Unfortunately, there are always risks and they need to be thought about. I would wish to see all Councillors holding at least a basic DBS check when in post to safeguard all those they come in to contact with. I would also seek to ensure the council has a mechanism to remove any Councillor who cannot pass those checks.
Planning
Planning is a core concern within the Pershore Area. New houses put more pressure on our services. I will be seeking to ensure any planning application approved in our Town is necessary, appropriate and acceptable. I work with experts in this area on a day-today basis and will be keen ton ensure the Town Council is informed and empowered to say No when necessary. I work very closely with Liz Williams, a fellow Reform member, who is a national leading expert in Housebuilding and understands all of the pressures on our countryside but also is an expert in Housing Needs and Demands. That gives me a huge level of expertise to tap into standing up for our town. Liz went to school in Pershore and it is very dear to her heart.
Veterans
As a Veteran, I’m shocked to see Pershore Town Council is not signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant. If I’m elected, I will ensure this omission is rectified. It is essential those who fought for our Town and our Country are appropriately recognised and supported by the Town Council and every opportunity to remember and support those who fight or fought for us are honoured and respected. We have many serving and retired members of the Armed Forces and their families living in Pershore including myself. In this every more insecure world we need to everything we can to promote our armed and indeed blue light services in Pershore.
Farming
The Pensham area in particular is a historic farming community. This Goverment is hell bent on destroying our national food security and we need to do all we can to support our local farmers, reject the utter nonsense going on and fend off the attack on our farmland that is solar farms. The other parties support solar farms - we at Reform UK do not and see them as a serious risk to our country. I will seek to offer whatever support I can to our local farming community.
Our Young People
Our young people need protecting from rising crime in the town, drugs and anti social behaviour that blights us. We need to provide more safe places for them to go and help them prepare for working life in the future. I will support our excellent schools in local initiatives and work very closely with all stakeholders to see what more can be done.
Four Legged Friends
I’m a Dog lover and I want to make Pershore the most Dog Friendly high street whilst also ensuring owners act responsibly. I’ll be seeking to work with all our local businesses and to ensure support for the Pershore Carnival Dog Show and local animal charities is maintained and built upon all year round.
Giving Back
I intend to take part in this year’s Plum Festival to fundraise for Prostate Cancer. “Check your plums” may be a bit cheeky but I’m hoping a bit of humour and honest, open discussion will encourage more men to get their PSA tests done and feel confident to immediately speak to their Dr should they have any concerns. I’ll be updated everyone on this and will be pleased to share my fundraising page in the very near future. backing.
Something Fishy
I’m also a keen angler and would love to help promote our excellent, responsible fishing here in Pershore and encourage more access for those with disabilities. Conservation around fishing would also be something I’d really interested in. I'll also be making sure we work closely with the Environment Agency on water quality issues and flooding