REDDITCH Labour’s of new candidates for the forthcoming local elections in May are holding a public meet and greet session in the town centre.
It’s next Saturday, February 5 from 11am to 1pm on Church Green and follows the successful completion of their selection process.
The team includes the leader of the Labour group in the council chamber, Councillor Andy Fry, who will defend his seat in Lodge Park Ward.
He will be joined by Bill Hartnett who is standing in Church Hill, and Joseph Baker their candidate for Batchley and Brockhill, the ward where he lives and works.
Sharon Harvey hopes to represent Central Ward, while Joanna Kane is the prospective candidate for Greenlands, Woodrow and Wire Hill.
New faces include Sid Khan, who recently retired from the British Army, who is standing in Abbey Ward, Juliet Barker Smith, a local teacher who is their candidate for Headless Cross and Oakenshaw, and Ian Woodall for Winyates Ward who has a vast bank of experience as a council officer.
Coun Wanda King will stand in Astwood Bank and Feckenham, and ex-mayoress Monica Fry will stand in Crabbs Cross.
“I’m very pleased to have such a strong team to fight the coming local elections,” said Coun Fry.
“It’s a very good mix of candidates with a broad range of skills and experience ready to make a real difference in Redditch.
“Personally I have been very disappointed with the lack of transparency from the current Conservative administration at the Town Hall.
“So many decisions seem to be being made behind closed doors.
“We’re offering a blend of experienced hands like Bill Hartnett and Joe Baker and the enthusiasm and knowledge of our new candidates for people to back in the local elections.”
Candidate Juliet Barker Smith added: “Getting together and having our group photos taken made being a candidate suddenly very real.
“I’m so looking forward to meeting the people of my ward and finding out how they would like to improve their area.”
