Category: Saffron Walden Town Council

Cllr Richard Freeman

Twice Mayor of Saffron Walden, and a Town and District Councillor, Dr Richard Freeman is well respected locally and has lots of experience. In the private sector his professional background is running complex projects for manufacturing and high-tech businesses. He has lived in Saffron Walden for more than 20 years.

“Saffron Walden is a good place to live; but it needs skilful management if it is not to become just a pretty dormitory town for the well-heeled and the wealthy.” Richard Freeman

Richard joined R4U from the Liberal Democrats in 2014 to become a founding councillor.

WardAbout/BioContact

Richard Freeman has lived in Saffron Walden for over 20 years.  For most of that time, he has represented residents as a Castle Ward councillor.  He has twice served as Town Mayor. In 2014 he joined R4U from the Liberal Democrats, becoming a founder councillor  to better serve local residents.

Much of his professional life has been spent in the manufacturing industries, particularly pharmaceuticals and also foodstuffs.  Latterly, he has worked for large international consultancies, providing technical and project management expertise to multinationals and governments.

Much of Richard’s time as a councillor has been devoted to making developers deliver on their Section 106 obligations.  These are legal requirements, often in the form of infrastructure payments made to the council that are designed to mitigate the impact of new housing.  Frequently, developers under-deliver on these.  As a direct result of Richard’s efforts, the town will soon receive two excellent new playing fields off Little Walden Road completed to Sport England standard,  Likewise, after much hard work, the new development of Tudor Park now has a RoSPA-approved children’s playground

Richard says that he believes that “local government has a duty to ensure the supply of homes for ordinary people – not just mansions for the fortunate rich! The limited supply of so-called ‘affordable’ homes linked to housing developments is not enough.  We need new social housing as well; homes that people can rent at prices they can afford. “

He has a particular interest in architecture, and has modernized several listed buildings. This interest was amply expressed when he was involved in managing the repair and refurbishment of Saffron Walden’s listed Town Hall.  Left in a sorry state by previous Conservative administrations, he helped plan and monitor its repair and restoration.  Richard was also able to assist with the design and installation of a very efficient and modern heating system for the building, making this iconic building usable all year, and much cheaper to heat.

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    Cllr Heather Asker

    Heather, a councillor since 2007, serves on numerous town and district committees, and works on many ward issues, including parking, road safety and speed reduction. She lives in Saffron Walden and was Mayor in 2015, 2016, 2019 is very active in promoting the market and the vitality of the town centre.

    “I am passionate about the heart of our town, our fabulous market, now known as one of the best in East Anglia & regularly featured in the national press. I am particularly proud of the achievements within the Town and District I have been involved with, including the refurbishments to the Saffron Walden Town Hall and Market Square, new paths on The Common, new play equipment, and the improvement street cleaning since taking it over from UDC.” Cllr Heather Asker

    She resigned the Conservative Party whip in October 2014 to join Residents for Uttlesford as a founding councillor so that she could better serve the local residents that elected her.

    WardAbout/BioContact

    Cllr Heather Asker is a well respected and experienced Uttlesford District Councillor, Saffron Walden Town Councillor and has been town Mayor a number of times. She was first elected in 2007 for Saffron Walden Castle ward, where she has worked on numerous residents’ issues.

    Whilst being a councillor she has worked on many local ward and town centre issues, including planning and development, parking, road safety and speed reduction programmes. She is particualry proud of the initiatives that she’s driven and supported in Saffron Walden including the refurbishment of the Town Hall, new Common paths and play equipment, the takeover of street cleaning from UDC, and the paving of the market square.

    She says she’s “Passionate about the heart of the Town, our fabulous market, now known as one of the best in East Anglia which is regularly featured in the national press.”

    She works closely with her other ward councillor, R4U’s Richard Freeman. Both have recently worked tirelessly to hold developer Persimmon to account to deliver a safe play area on Tudor Park and new sports fields on Line Avenue.

    Professionally Heather has a career in sales. She has lived in Saffron Walden since 1984 where her daughter attended the County High School.

    She joined Residents for Uttlesford as a founding councillor from the Conservatives in October 2014.

     

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      Cllr Richard Porch

      Successful businessman Richard has chaired a number of companies during his career and provided consulting services to other organisations. He is an experienced councillor and mayor with a long history of active involvement with a number of charities. He has lived in Saffron Walden for 20+ years with his family.

      “I’m concerned about the failure of the current UDC administration to hold developers accountable for their community responsibilities and the negative effect this has on our infrastructure, local facilities, and council taxes.” Richard Porch

      WardAbout/BioContact

      Richard has lived in Saffron Walden for 20+ years and has 4 children and 7 grandchildren living in Uttlesford. He has chaired a number of construction businesses during his career as well as operating as a consultant to other organisations. He has a long history of active involvement with various charities both Chairing and Trusteeship, in the UK and overseas.

      He has provided management support to Residents for Uttlesford since its foundation. Richard is concerned about the failure of the current administration to hold developers accountable for their community responsibilities and the effect this has on the both infrastructure and local facilities as well as poor business decision making that affects the cost that we all incur through our rates.

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        Cllr Arthur Coote

        Arthur Coote is a well-respected Saffron Walden councillor. 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 was mayor of Saffron Walden for the 2019/2020 year.

        WardAbout/BioContact

        Arthur Coote is a well-respected councillor for Saffron Walden. 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 in 2019 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 James de Vries

          An Uttlesford resident since 1985, James has a background in aviation, has worked closely with Stansted Airport and specialises in commercial IT. He has spearheaded local business networking initiatives and runs a small sports club in his spare time. He is a experienced councillor and former Saffron Walden Mayor.

          “It is important that we retain the natural beauty and heritage of our communities. I’m concerned about the impacts of large housing developments, rural broadband, policing, traffic, and local school places. I’m also keen to tackle the smaller issues that affect quality of life, such as speeding, fly-tipping, travellers, potholes and recycling.“ James de Vries

          WardAbout/BioContact

          James de Vries has been an Uttlesford resident since 1985, and is an experienced district and town councillor, previously sitting on the UDC Investment Board, and scrutiny and governance committees.

          For work he specialises in commercial IT and has a background in aviation working closely with Stansted Airport. In the local community he has spearheaded local business networking initiatives and runs a small sports club in his spare time.

          James says “It is important that we retain the natural beauty and heritage of our communities. I’m concerned about the impacts of large housing developments, rural broadband, policing, traffic, and local school places. I’m also keen to tackle the smaller issues that affect quality of life, such as speeding, fly-tipping, travellers, potholes and recycling.“

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            Cllr Deryk Eke

            Deryk is a former Chartered Civil Engineer who lives in Saffron Walden. During his career he has delivered many major £billon infrastructure projects worldwide. As a councillor, his experience is an asset in working to solve the major infrastructure issues we face. He is a town councillor and was previously a district councillor.

            “Our councils must be prepared to stand up for the residents and demand developers give back to the community. I believe with my experience and passion for delivering successful projects I can help hold them to account, whilst improving our quality of life across Uttlesford.” Deryk Eke

            WardAbout/BioContact

            Cllr Deryk Eke is a recently retired Chartered Civil Engineer with over 40 years’ experience of delivering major national infrastructure projects worldwide including in America, Europe, South East Asia and back home in the UK.

            He was raised in Lower Sheering and schooled nearby in Sawbridgeworth and Harlow. He has been married for nearly 40 years and lived in and around the Saffron Walden area for more than 30 years.

            In 1994 he and his wife returned from a major project in Hong Kong. Deryk says that they were “living in Great Bardfield at the time, but managed to secure places for our children at Saffron Walden County High, not something you could hope to do now!”

            Since they moved into Saffron Walden town, Deryk says that the “explosion in house building, increase in traffic, deterioration in air quality, and lack of school and medical facilities” are all aspects that he and his children noticed more and more, and that is part of what has spurred him on to stand to represent other residents.

            He says that “The district council must be prepared to stand up for the residents and demand developers give back to the community, and R4U is the best party to make that happen because it only answers to local people.”

            Deryk belies that “with my experience and passion for delivering successful projects I can help improve our quality of life and better living environment across Uttlesford.”

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              Cllr Dave McLellan

              Town councillor Dave McLellan has spent a career as a business analyst and project manager in financial services. He has lived in Saffron Walden for 22 years and volunteers for the local cinema and wildlife groups.

              “I saw what a great job Residents for Uttlesford had been doing at the town council and I joined to help them continue to make Saffron Walden a great place to live. I am particularly interested in reducing plastic waste and supporting sustainable transport.” Dave McLellan

              WardAbout/BioContact

              Dave McLellan has spent a career as a business analyst and project manager in financial services.

              He and his family have lived in Saffron Walden for 22 years. His children have both been through local primary and secondary schools. He volunteers for the Saffron Screen and wildlife groups.

              He says he stood for Saffron Walden Town Council because “I saw what a great job Residents for Uttlesford had done at the town council and want to help them continue to make Saffron Walden a great place to live.”

              He is particularly interested in the R4U’s policies to reduce single-use plastic waste and increasing the use of sustainable transport.

              Dave said he first wanted to stand for Residents for Uttlesford because “R4U seem to really care about what residents want and deliver on it. The work they have done around the Saffron Walden Common and the installation of drinking fountains are examples of ways to improve where we live. I think it’s important that local councils are run by the community not political parties, and R4U provides the means for that to happen.”

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