FORMER Conservative Cabinet member Phil Webb stands for re-election to Fenland District Council in Elm and Christchurch ward as an Independent.

“I HAVE been a councillor for the past 14 years, eight years on Elm Parish Council and for the last four years I have been your Conservative district councillor.

“As you may have seen in the local press I have not been favourable with the local Conservative group for being ‘open and honest’. This is why I am now standing as an Independent.

“This will enable me to serve you, the constituents, better.

“I have vast experience of many committees including the planning committee for many years. I was part of the Cabinet, a position I have held for the past 11 months, a senior role within the council that was given to me by the leader of the council. Obviously he has some faith in me (he has 31 other Councillors to choose from), someone he can trust.

“I held this until it was untenable earlier this month.

“I have also been instrumental in gaining funding and facilities for our community:

• Play equipment in Friday Bridge Pocket Park.

• Traffic Calming in Elm & Friday Bridge.

• Speed reduction signs in Elm, Friday Bridge & Coldham

• Coldham playing field lease from Co-op.

• Secured Section 106 monies from Coldham wind farm.

• Raised �5,000 to set up a First responder Scheme for all three villages via money from Roddons, Co-op, and public donations.

• Unsuitable for HGV signs for roads in Elm.

“As a cabinet member I have been instrumental in securing �350,000 in rural community grants. The money comes from a �600,000 set aside in the council’s rural community capital fund and additional funding could follow for other projects.

“Christchurch is in my district and will get funding towards a new sports pavilion to replace existing village hall and sports pavilion considered no longer fit for purpose. The �325,000 cost includes Fenland’s allocation of �100,000, the rest coming from matched funding and sale of existing village hall.”