Candidates standing in Thursday's by-elections to Craven District Council and North Yorkshire County Council

The Craven District and North Yorkshire by-elections are taking place following the death of sitting councillor, Richard Welch last year, and after Cllr David Pighills, who is seeking re-election, was ejected from his Barden Fell seat because of non attendance at meetings during the coronavirus lockdown.

Normal elections to both councils have been suspended because of the Government consultation into local government reorganisation.

Standing for the Penyghent ward of Craven District Council are: Luke Allan (Liberal Democrat); Brian McDaid (Labour), and Robert Ogden (Conservative).

Luke Allan:

Luke lives in Ingleton and works in Communications in higher education. Outside work he volunteers as a section assistant with Ingleborough District Scouts.

Having grown up, studied, lived and worked in Craven for most of his life, Luke understands the issues residents face and is committed to playing his part in ensuring our communities prosper and thrive.

Luke has a proven track record of supporting communities, speaking up against injustice and campaigning for meaningful change. Through his previous voluntary roles, he has gained extensive experience working directly with community groups, organisations and Sheffield City Council members whilst a student, fighting for a greener, fairer, more caring society.

“From talking to residents, it is clear that many feel let down by the council. Issues such as speeding, litter, affordable housing, road repairs and cuts to local services are all things which have been brought to my attention as we have spoken to residents on their doorsteps over the last few weeks.

“The time has come for a fresh voice for North Craven, for a representative who will put the needs of residents ahead of political ambition. I want to be that voice and work to safeguard our future.”

Brian McDaid:

The next year will almost certainly see the end of Craven District Council. A few weeks after the May 6 election, a Government Minister will decide whether our local services will be provided by a Northallerton- based unitary authority or whether North Yorkshire will be split down the middle and Craven lumped together with Harrogate, Richmondshire and Hambleton.

In this crucial year it is essential that residents have a representative that will listen to them and be their voice. In my working life I represent workers in the finance sector, and it is vital I listen and act upon their concerns. I will give the same drive and passion on residents’ behalf for the benefit of our community.

I will encourage sustainable tourism and ensure visitors are respectful of our unique environment and communities. I will work to protect our natural assets; to enhance our community; to press for better transport links. I will also ensure there is increased support within education, especially for mental health, that is affecting many of our young people.

I have lived and worked in Craven for most of my adult life. My wife is an NHS Paramedic and our children go to local schools. You can read more about me and my campaign on my Facebook page BrianMcDaidLabour.

Robert Ogden:

Born and bred into a farming family, and educated at Austwick Primary, Settle Middle and Settle College, my roots in our area of north Craven run deep.

After studying at Lancaster University, I have returned home in order to train as a history teacher in our excellent local comprehensive schools, including Settle College.

My passion for developing the life chances of young people in the area through education is one way of giving back to the community who supported me.

This enthusiastic interest in our rural district has motivated me to stand for election, to represent residents at Craven District Council and meet the challenges we face head on.

I want to help make Penyghent a sustainable place for young people to live and work, and to ensure important services continue to be delivered by a financially-responsible Conservative council. One issue concerned residents have raised, and something I have seen first-hand, is the problem with litter in our beautiful villages and green spaces. I will work with all groups to bring about viable solutions to this unfortunate problem.

I will work hard to make the views and needs of people in Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Stainforth, and Giggleswick heard down in Skipton.

Standing for the Barden Fell ward of Craven District Council are John Dawson (Conservative) and David Pighills (Independent).

John Dawson:

Since I retired from my role as Solicitor, Secretary and General Manager at Skipton Building Society, I have sought to serve our Craven community being involved in various charities and serving on Craven District Council including two years as Deputy Leader of the Council until 2019. I have also been a Skipton Town Councillor.

I appreciate that I do not live in Barden Fell Ward, but it is an area I have always loved. It would be a privilege to be elected so that I can represent the Ward and the residents who live there. I promise that I will do my very best to serve every resident, to attend Council meetings and to speak up for the interests of those who live in the Ward.

We know that there are likely to be changes in local government in North Yorkshire but our Conservative-led Craven Council will continue to provide the best services it can so long as it exists.

David Pighills:

The Covid-19 virus has caused havoc and misery to many families and businesses. My sincere and heartfelt appreciation goes to all the NHS, voluntary groups, the army of volunteers, scientists, local councils and government for a very successful vaccine rollout.

Without doubt all our efforts are now needed to promote and secure a strong, immediate recovery of our economy from the ravages of the pandemic.

My personal experience during this past year has highlighted the importance of all our rural areas benefitting from the cutting edge technology, telecommunications and reliable internet connections for all residents and the wellbeing of our rural economy. Gaps in the signals and internet connections in our rural areas and villages are being vigorously pursued.

For the future it is my intention to resist over-development of our beautiful area and continue to work closely and constructively with all members and officers at Craven, the county council and parish representatives.

Having an involvement with the Rural Watch Scheme and assisted in the procurement of a night camera, I work confidently with our police and emergency services providers to keep our villages and farms safe and secure places in which to live and work.

We all have a prime responsibility to care for, hold dear and respect the planet Earth which we share with all living creatures. It is for us all in our everyday living to maintain and cherish all aspects of our environment. As a very active Dales farmer living at Club Nook Farm, Barden, I am acutely aware of and put these principles into practice each and every day.

Standing for the Ribblesdale division of North Yorkshire County Council are Luke Allan (Liberal Democrat); Brian McDaid (Labour); David Noland (Green), and David Staveley (Conservative).

Luke Allan:

Luke lives in Ingleton and works in Communications in higher education. Outside work he volunteers as a section assistant with Ingleborough District Scouts.

Having grown up, studied, lived and worked in Craven for most of his life, Luke understands the issues residents face and is committed to playing his part in ensuring our communities prosper and thrive.

Luke has a proven track record of supporting communities, speaking up against injustice and campaigning for meaningful change. Through his previous voluntary roles, he has gained extensive experience working directly with community groups, organisations and Sheffield City Council members whilst a student, fighting for a greener, fairer, more caring society.

“From talking to residents, it is clear that many feel let down by the council. Issues such as speeding, litter, affordable housing, road repairs and cuts to local services are all things which have been brought to my attention as we have spoken to residents on their doorsteps over the last few weeks.

“The time has come for a fresh voice for North Craven, for a representative who will put the needs of residents ahead of political ambition. I want to be that voice and work to safeguard our future.”

Brian McDaid:

This spring residents across North Yorkshire face another increase in their council tax bills well ahead of inflation. This is due, in part, to the fact that, despite Boris Johnson’s promise on becoming Prime Minister to fix the social care crisis once and for all, local councils still have the major responsibility for managing the creaking social care system.

Our residents pay the price for this through a council tax system that hits the least well off hardest.

For too long North Yorkshire has been ruled by a group of Conservatives who owe their allegiance to ministers in Whitehall rather than our residents. Now is the time for change, a change all our community deserves.

I promise to be a Councillor who listens to local people and speaks up for them. I have lived and worked in Craven for most of my adult life and my job involves representing thousands of workers across the UK, where I have been their voice through difficult times.

I feel strongly that we need to do more to promote our special place; to promote sustainable tourism and work to ensure visitors are respectful of our unique environment and communities.You can read more about my campaign and priorities on my Facebook page BrianMcDaidLabour.

David Noland:

David Noland is an experienced Craven district councillor. He is passionate about putting the interests of local people before that of fast through traffic and as a teacher in a local state school understands the realities of how to improve education services. He wants strong local services instead of remotely run ones and is a firm supporter of quality farming and locally produced food. He campaigned against the desecration of the Hellifield flashes and was outraged by the failure of Craven District Council to take strong action. Above all he is a champion of the wonderful countryside where we live and can be relied on to fight hard to protect it.

David Staveley:

A lifelong resident of Ribblesdale it has been a great honour to serve the communities of Settle and Ribblebanks in my third term as district councillor. In that time I’ve been proactive in supporting residents, community groups and businesses alike to keep our Dales way of life something truly special. Be it financial support through the ward member grants scheme, or the tireless pursuit to improve and support the local economy to deliver higher paid jobs. I have always put the residents I represent first and foremost in my work as their ward councillor.

The opportunity to extend that representation to include the NYCC Ribblesdale division is one I would relish, allowing me to carry on the hard work needed to meet the challenges we face in the post Covid era. My current roles as Chairman of the Select, Crime and Disorder and Spatial Planning committees at Craven District Council has afforded me the experience and knowledge needed to be the representative residents need at County Hall and help shape an equitable future for Craven as we look towards a unitary future for local Government.

My own journey from attending schools in Settle through to Sixth form, to building a business and creating jobs across sites in Settle and Hellifield, now raising my children in Giggleswick is a grounded and local lifestyle, giving me the insight to be an effective community representative.

The counts will take place on Friday.