2021 Manifesto for Chorlton
If elected, my priorities include: affordable housing, public transport, supporting local businesses through post-lockdown recovery, protection of green spaces and improving pavements and roads. I also pledge to be an accountable councillor: to ask Chorlton residents what their priorities are and press for change accordingly.
My Key Promise – Better Communication with You, the Residents
If I am elected, I promise to be a councillor who really listens to what people in Chorlton want, and I will act on your wishes as far as I possibly can. I want to be a clear voice for Chorlton on the council: Raising issues that my fellow residents in Chorlton see as our priorities. If elected, I plan to ask residents regularly (via a website) about important issues due to be voted on in council meetings – then I can take on board your views before I vote.
I’d love to get elected and be given the chance to really make a difference. A vote for me truly is a vote for Chorlton.
My Promises to Chorlton
Here are some things that matter to me, and I believe matter to you too; things I promise to try to tackle if you elect me in the Chorlton Ward. I wrote this list after speaking with a cross-section of Chorlton residents in recent months – do let me know if I have missed something that matters to you…
1) Roads and Pavements/Paths in Chorlton – the council must sort out the extremely poor condition of our pavements, cycle lanes, road surfaces, bus lanes and road flooding/drainage. Pavement parking is also a big issue – the council needs to tackle anti-social parking that blocks pavements, cycle lanes and makes roads hard to get down. The pavement parking and uneven pavements/paths are dangerous for those with mobility issues and parents with pushchairs. Also, parking should be free again in Chorlton precinct. Another accessibility issue that some residents have expressed concerns to me about is the lack of Public Toilets in Chorlton – we have lost all of them! This has left some people in our community reluctant to come out.
2) Small Businesses in Chorlton – a few years ago I set-up a networking/support group for people running businesses as Sole Traders in Chorlton (whether from a retail premises or from home). I am also a member of Chorlton Traders. I think the council should be doing more to support and encourage small independent businesses, particularly as they navigate their way through post-lockdown recovery – for example by cutting business rates and providing additional business advice and support.
3) Community Places: indoors and out – I am concerned about the management of our green spaces, particularly Ryebank Fields, which must stay in the hands of the community. I fully support the Save Ryebank Fields campaign. Secondly, the council should bring wardens back to Chorlton Ees. Thirdly, with the council’s decision to close Chorlton Baths (which I campaigned against), I want to see the council ensuring that the site stays in use by the community in some way, rather than it being lost to a private developer. There is no community centre in Chorlton – this needs to change!
4) Public Transport across Manchester – needs to be made better, cheaper and more sustainable. In addition, bicycles and dogs should be allowed on trams, just as they are on trains.
5) Housing across Manchester – There is a real need to tackle the growing problem of homelessness and to build more social and affordable housing. Also, the rise in dependency on foodbanks.
In addition, I pledge my support for the following organisations’ election policy commitments:
First, obviously, the Manchester Green Party’s Manifesto, which I believe is a powerful vision for our City, and can be downloaded from the webpage here.
The LGBT Foundation’s #EqualityWins Manifesto for the elections in Greater Manchester, which you can read here.
The Muslim Council of Britain’s policy pledges, viewable here.
Manchester ACORN’s election demands, here.
1. Where will the money come from?
I am confident that the council could be spending its money more wisely. If elected I plan to take some time reading the budget in detail, asking for residents’ ideas on the matter and then making some suggestions to council.
Perhaps we could start with looking at the cost of the councillors themselves – the current basic annual allowance for councillors in Manchester is more than double the allowance for councillors in Trafford and noticeably more than that paid in Salford or Stockport too. I think there should be a reduction (or at least a freeze) in these allowances – the burden of any future austerity measures should be shared by us all!
2. Why are you standing for the Greens?
When I look at my core values and beliefs, they seem to be very much in alignment with those of the Manchester Green Party. Also, while I have seen other parties pressure their councillors to vote in a certain way, the Green Party ethos is to let councillors make their own judgments. If I am elected, I will be free to vote in council meetings for what I think is best for Chorlton, rather than have my voting decision dictated by a party line.
I have voted Labour in the past, and many of our current Labour councillors work hard and do a good job, but I don’t think it is helpful for our council to be so overwhelmingly Labour (or any party). Discussions in council meetings would surely be healthier with a little opposition! I think it’s time another voice was heard, and I believe that I can be that voice.
3. How do we know you are committed to Chorlton? What are your Chorlton credentials?
I have lived in Chorlton for about 20 years. I love the place. I have no intention of ever leaving! I am well-known locally as an active member of our community. I run and/or support a range of community groups including the Chorlton Soul Traders, a Community Breakfast Club, a walking group, Chorlton Voice (aka Chorlton Civic Society), Chorlton Homewatch Coordinators group (and I run the scheme on my road), Chorlton Connectors, Chorlton Traders, Chorlton Arts Festival, Chorlton Cats Charity, Chorlton Good Neighbours, Chorlton Book Festival, Chorlton Unitarians, Save Ryebank Fields, etc.
I have actively campaigned on various issues that have been important to residents in Chorlton, e.g. saving the bookshop, fighting against the Bedroom Tax, the loss of Chorlton baths and the proposed development of Ryebank fields.
I shop locally, am a member of Chorlton Traders and I support the excellent “TAGpassiton” loyalty card scheme. I socialise in Chorlton where possible too, supporting our local bars, restaurants and cafés, attending local events and walking in our beautiful green spaces like Chorlton Ees and Ryebank Fields.
I also organise community events, like the multifaith Eid community picnic I organised in Longford park, happiness workshops, monthly community breakfasts/picnics and short walks around Longford Park.
And in my spare time I even find time to cuddle my cats!
Mary Crumpton - Chorlton Candidate 