Re-elect  Ian Stutely

I’m Ian and I’ve served Town Close Ward as a City Councillor for three years. It’s a real privilege and a great honour to work in public service in the city where I grew up and have lived for over 43 years.

As your councillor, I have sought to develop relationships across our fabulous communities, listened to your views, and understood your concerns. I want to be accessible to all our residents and support you however I can.

In earlier years I helped with local projects, like the popular St Stephens Community Garden in 2018, campaigned for the 20 mph zones installed in 2019, and supported countless residents with interesting, varied, and, sometimes critical, casework.

I have campaigned with my colleagues against government funding cuts to Norwich City Council and the endless service cuts introduced by Tory County Councillors, who’ve simultaneously pushed through massive pay rises for themselves.

In the year since the pandemic began Norwich City Council has delivered a response of which I am immensely proud and all our staff have played a huge role in helping to keep our city safe. My own small contribution includes regular volunteer work with food collection and delivery to help our vulnerable people and struggling families during these uncertain times. My colleagues, Cllrs Corlett and Davis set up the NR2 Foodbank for which we all still volunteer. The financial effect of the pandemic is hitting families and small business owners hard. We will continue to be here for all our residents.

Many of the Council’s functions continued throughout the last year. I chair the Licensing Committee and serve on Planning Committee, Audit Committee, and the Sustainable Development Panel. The Licensing Committee has performed a crucial role in helping to support our community pubs that have been so poorly supported by the government. I have campaigned in my role to help our small businesses wherever possible, and where necessary the committee has put the safety of the city first by taking decisive action on Covid legislation breaches.

Meanwhile, from the pandemic, the community spirit in our ward has flourished, and it has been a pleasure to help set up the new Neighbourhood Watch Scheme that covers the Trafford Road estate, and of which I am the Chair. The group will be a springboard for many exiting community projects in the area.

On transport, I am the City’s new representative on the East West Rail Consortium, and one of just two City Councillors on the Transforming City Fund Committee. When an incompatible new road scheme was recently proposed for St Stephens Road, Cllr Corlett and I engaged online with local residents, and the community response ensured we could get it stopped.

I am the Labour Party City Council Candidate for Town Close Ward, but whatever political party you may usually support, I hope you will vote to re-elect me in May based on my record in office and my contribution to our community. I will continue working hard for Town Close – all year round, not just at election time!

Thank you.