Manish Puri

Once again it appears that I am the only candidate standing in Sutton Vesey who actually lives in the ward. I have two children who go to school in Boldmere. My parents, who also live in Vesey, are of an age where they need GP and hospital services more and more frequently. I am always in the high street, many traders and businesses know me as a customer as well as a local campaigner. I have always supported and promoted their brilliant community activities. Issues, therefore, like the quality of local education and health provision, the success of local shopping centres and overall quality of life in our neighbourhood are not political abstracts or campaign points but impinge directly on me, my family, my neighbours and friends. These are the people I seek to represent.

On the question of a devolved Sutton Coldfield Town Council: I have worked with Rob Pocock and Ken Rushton’s campaign for the last three years to give the residents their say on this question. I believe the current tepid proposals from the steering group reflect vested interests in Sutton and Birmingham who wish to preserve the status quo. I don’t believe status quo has served us well.

I support the campaign for greater transparency, engagement and accountability in the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust review of services at Good Hope Hospital. We all recognise the need for reform and configuration changes but these need to be done in conjunction and with the trust of local communities.

Having burnished my local credentials, I can’t say not being a ward resident doesn’t preclude someone from being an excellent councillor, but the voters will have to decide for themselves just how active the other candidates have been on behalf of this community – outside of election time. I view the real job of a Councillor as being an extension of being a good citizen, but I know you can be a good citizen without being a Councillor. So win or lose I will continue working, rain or shine, for a better Sutton Coldfield.