Category: District Ward

• Uttlesford District Felsted and Stebbing Ward (Councillor)

John has lived in Stebbing for 30 years, and prior to that 10 years in Hatfield Heath, so is very familiar with and supportive of both Ward and District interests. He has served as UDC Cabinet Member for Planning, the Local Plan, Stansted Airport and Infrastructure while appointed also to a number of external bodies. He was privileged to chair the Stebbing Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, whose Plan was passed successfully last Summer. As Cabinet Member, he has been a strong advocate for neighbourhood planning and spoken widely in the community in support. He is particularly interested in heritage and landscape matters and serves as Vice Chair of Stebbing Local History Society. He is a Solicitor and also sits as an Arbitrator.

• Uttlesford District Broad Oak and the Hallingburys Ward (Councillor)
• High Easter Parish (Councillor)

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

My wife and I have had a home in Uttlesford for more than 20 years. After my retirement in 2012 I became increasingly involved in village, parish and local issues. Prior to this we lived and worked all over the world, including Malaysia, South Korea, Denmark, New Zealand and The Netherlands.

Our three children each have their own families (giving us 5 grandchildren in total) and lead diverse lives. One lives in Kent and works for Kent County Council. One lives in Holland and works in the University of Utrecht Library. One is currently working for Oxfam in Myanmar.

Any councillor or political experience you may have?

I’ve been a UDC councillor for the Broad Oak and the Hallingburys ward since 2019 and at UDC I lead the Economy, Business, Council Strategy and Investments portfolios. I am also a member of the High Easter Parish Council.

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

I am a Chartered Engineer with approximately 40 years of international experience. I worked with Royal Dutch Shell until I retired from them in 2012. For the first third of my career I worked as a Structural Engineer designing, building and maintaining offshore platforms. Thereafter I developed Shell’s system of specifications and standards for all their operations worldwide. In this capacity, I became chair of the committee in an International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) responsible for international standards the oil and gas industry. I maintained this role till mid-2019. I have learned how to listen to very diverse groups and lead the parties to an agreement (a consensus standard).

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

I’m a director, trustee and treasurer of the East of England Apples and Orchards Project (EEAOP). This is a charity, with a trading arm (i.e. under Charities Commission and Companies House), whose aim is the collect and conserve the region’s heritage fruit trees; and get these (re-)planted throughout the region.

I am also a treasurer, and committee member of the Essex Beekeepers Association (EBKA) (Braintree Division).

Why did you stand for Residents for Uttlesford?

I was impressed that in a short time Residents for Uttlesford had already made an impact for our district. In 4 years of leading UDC, we’ve made significant improvements for residents. We need 4 more years to finish the job.

The key point is that R4U is a party for local issues, not national ones. It can therefore be more agile to steer the district council in a direction that residents in the Uttlesford want, rather than as directed by a Westminster-based party.

• Uttlesford District Takeley Ward (Councillor)

Maggie Sutton is an experienced and active campaigner on local issues. She believes that to make a difference people have to get up and get involved.

Maggie knows the importance of community. She knows that Takeley has a strong active community, good schools and nursery, along with many clubs and associations at its heart. She served as a Governor at Takeley Roseacres School for during the period its move to the new site.

She is also passionate about the local area, its history, archaeology, and countryside.

Maggie has been a member of the executive committee of Stop Stansted Expansion (SSE) since its inception in 2002, working out of the office at The Old School in Takeley for much of that time. She says that being part of SSE has “given me a massive opportunity to become familiar with every part Takeley where I have attended and helped organise many consultation, campaign, outreach and fundraising events. Through that I have association with many Parish council representatives and many, many people who live in the area.”

Of the airport, she says “I am very aware what being a neighbour to Stansted Airport means for Takeley residents. Clearly there are jobs, but also major concerns about noise, light and air pollution, and major traffic and parking issues.”

Maggie serves on the committee of campaign group Stop Easton Park. Easton Park is Uttlesford District Council’s proposed new town of 10,000 homes that will in-effect connect Dunmow and Takeley across the A120. She believes that the siting of the new town will be extremely detrimental to the area of historic area of Easton Park and beyond. She believes that strategic planning must be undertaken and proper controls put in place to protect the uniqueness of our countryside as our district expands.

Maggie realised she needed to take the next step to represent residents.

She said “As I attend UDC council meetings on matters such as housing and the airport I become very concerned and anxious. I saw that those elected to represent us here simply take their lead from the party they represent in parliament. It seems evident that local people do not matter to them. Putting my name forward as a Residents candidate to represent Takeley and the communities of Broxted, Chickney, and Little Canfield is not something I take lightly. I know I must give you a 100percent commitment. I truly believe, Residents for Uttlesford provide the ONLY platform we have to be properly represented at in the district council.”

Maggie Sutton has strong family and community ties to the Takeley ward. She lived in Boxted for many years while her children were growing up. She has five grown up children, all which live in Uttlesford. She currently lives in Lindsell with her family.