It is the local elections this week on Thursday 6 May, and Macclesfield Nub News have requested articles interviewing all candidates for the elections on Bollington Town Council, hearing more about their key policies and what they would hope to get done if elected to serve.

Conservatives Barrie Malpas (74) and John Le Moignan (23) are both running for the Conservative party in Central and East Ward respectively.

The retired engineer and the Support Officer for a neighbouring MP are running on a shared platform.

We spoke to John, the former King's School Graduate and Spearings Butchers employee, about their shared vision for Bollington.

Macclesfield Nub News: Why do you want to represent East Ward on Bollington Town council?

John Le Moignan: "I want to represent East Ward on Bollington Town Council, because I believe residents deserve a far greater standard of government than they are currently getting. I believe the current coalition between Labour and the 'so-called' independents has been disastrous in Bollington and in Cheshire East more generally.

"By representing East Ward in Bollington Town Council, I will stand up for residents and show that for this coalition enough is enough.

"Barrie lived in Bollington for 43 years and has been actively involved in the local community. I know that he has been shocked at just how let down Bollington has been in the last two years - especially recently with Labour and the Independents voting to allow future housing development on three of Bollington's greenbelt sites."

Macclesfield Nub News: What do you think you can bring to the role?

John Le Moignan: "In terms of what I can bring to Bollington Town Council, Firstly it would be a fresh eye and an inquisitive mind to proceedings on the council, as well as a passion to do the right thing for the people of Bollington.

"Furthermore, I could bring my experience of working for a neighbouring MP, to make sure that the people of East Ward have a councillor that truly represents them and knows their way around the wider political landscape.

"I know from working with Barrie over the past months that our skills are complementary, and that Barrie, Cllr Jon Weston and I work well together. I think we can make a real difference for people who live, work, and run businesses in Bollington, and we have some really exciting ideas on how to make Bollington an even better place."

Macclesfield Nub News: What are your key policies?

John Le Moignan: "Barrie and I have a five point plan to make Bollington an even better place to live, work and run a business.

"Firstly, we will fight the closure of Bollington Recycling Centre. Whilst The huge public backlash against Labour and the so-called 'independents' have put the plans to close the centre on hold for two years. We will fight to ensure a long-term plan to keep the site open - which is vital to stop fly tipping and tackle climate change.

"Secondly, we want to make improvements to 'Destination' Bollington. We need to improve outdoor dining areas for local cafés, restaurants and pubs, to support local businesses as we come out of lockdown. Our plans include a 'Bollington in Bloom', a pop-up outdoor cinema in the summer on the Recreation Ground.

"Thirdly, we want to make sure the greenbelt is protected. We will oppose Labour and the Independents plans at Cheshire East to designate greenbelt land for housing development. And We will campaign for public access to Hall Hill greenbelt land.

"Fourthly, we want to hold Cheshire East Council to account. Time and time again our local Cheshire East independent councillors side with Labour, in decisions that adversely affect Bollington. We need a strong voice of opposition on the Town Council to hold Cheshire East to account and get a better deal for Bollington.

"And finally, we will work hard to improve Bollington's roads and pavements which are in an appalling state of disrepair."

Macclesfield Nub News: What do you think the biggest issue facing Bollington is?

John Le Moignan: "Obviously the biggest issue facing Bollington is how we can recover from the pandemic, as part of our five point plan, Barrie and I will work hard to support local businesses as we come out of lockdown in the ways that I have previously mentioned and to make sure that this support continues in the long-term.

"For East Ward in particular, I think the two biggest issues are protecting the greenbelt and improving the conditions of the wards roads and pavements."

Macclesfield Nub News: There are 12 seats on the Town Council. Two vacant in this election. You and Barrie could be working together. What is your relationship like?

John Le Moignan: "Barrie and I have been members of the Conservative Party for a number of years. Since we were selected by the party as candidates, we have been working hard together for the election. We've developed a great rapport and it has been good fun passing ideas backwards and forwards for our five point plan and our respective campaigns.

"We are sure that this close relationship will continue if we are both elected and we are also looking forward to working with our existing conservative on the Town Council Cllr Jon Weston to support our aims and plans for a better Bollington."

Macclesfield Nub News: Barrie is a keen supporter of Macc's greenbelt from leafleting against what Labour and the Independent councillors have voted for. Please could you tell me your combined views on this?

John Le Moignan: "Barrie and I are united on the greenbelt and the desire to see it protected There is an urgent need for more housing. People my age have little chance now of ever owning our own home, and many older people in Bollington want to move, but can't find somewhere suitable locally. But we don't think we should concrete over greenbelt land, as Labour and the so-called 'independents' have proposed, just because it seems like the easy option.

"Building on the greenbelt will likely increase floor risk and also damage lots of local wildlife habitats. We'd much rather be focussed on building on existing brownfield sites and making sure that empty buildings in Bollington and Macclesfield are used for housing development. I am always shocked by how many large, beautiful old buildings are just left to rot because it's impossible to get planning permission, while the Council gives approval to building on greenbelt and open farmland. And again as I previously mentioned, it is an important part of our plan that we are campaigning for access to Hall Hill greenbelt land."

Macclesfield Nub News: Are there any brownfield sites in Bolly, Macc or Cheshire East that you think should be developed instead?

John Le Moignan: "I know that Cheshire East has a brownfield register, and I think this needs to be looked at to make sure that all sites are registered and that the Council is doing everything to bring these into development. We don't yet know how the recovery is going to affect office space and retail space usage in town centres, so we also need to keep an eye on this and ensure that buildings are just left empty."

Macclesfield Nub News: A question from one of our readers: Will you be pressuring the Labour-led #CEC councillors to support the case to continue online meetings?

John Le Moignan: "You will know that the Coronavirus restrictions on meetings for public bodies are being lifted, and the expectation is now that local councils will meet in person going forward. I have raised this with David Rutley, our Member of Parliament, and I know that several Cheshire East Conservative councillors have also raised it with him. I think it is very important that we do increase accessibility and that virtual meetings are a great way of doing this."

"But I also think that given the nature of virtual meetings you lose a lot of some of the best things that come from meeting in person. And it is just as important to have that human interaction as well. And you can get a better sense of how people feel about things you can pick up much more on non-verbal cues. I think that is an important thing to bear in mind."

"So I think there should perhaps look at some sort of compromise."

Macclesfield Nub News: Is there anything you find disagreeable in your other candidates policies that you'd like to highlight?

John Le Moignan: "I think this is one for voters to decide - obviously I don't think that Labour has the vision or the right policies to make Bollington a better place."

"I would also say that Bollington Town Council is well known for being a harmonious cooperative body with good working relationships, and we would wish to maintain this."

Macclesfield Nub News: Is there anything else that you think the current Town Council administration isn't doing very well, that you would try to do better?

John Le Moignan: "As I've mentioned before, I don't think that Labour has the vision or the right policies to make Bollington a better place. We will be promoting a little more support for local businesses than has been allowed recently, to rebuild our local economy and generate jobs."

Macclesfield Nub News: Finally, a fun question. What is your favourite thing about Bolly and why?

My favourite thing about Bollington is its delightful location nestled on the edge of the Peaks, with such a charming beauty and character which has become particularly apparent in the spring sunshine in recent weeks, especially in the way it brings out the colour of the local stone.

"Bollington also has a strong community spirit and this I feel should be celebrated."

Macclesfield Nub News: Is there anything else you'd like to mention?

John Le Moignan: "I just wanted to say that if elected, Barrie and I will work tirelessly for the people of Bollington, to implement our five point plan. We are excited by the prospect and really looking forward to getting stuck in.

"We have had a very enjoyable campaign now that the government's vaccination programme is beginning to bring back some sense of normality."

East Ward Conservative John Le Moignan is running against independents Helen Ellwood and Allan Williams, along with John Place for the Labour Party.

Central Ward Conservative Barrie Malpas is running against Gareth Williams for the Liberal Democrats, and Judy Snowball for Labour.

You can find more about John and Barrie's plans for Bolly on the Bollington Conservatives Facebook page.