WV11Asked!

WV11 Asked!

 

This is what I said in 2012 to WV11 when they asked me questions as to why I was standing for the City Council…. I won that election and returned to the City Council after a four year absence. But did I achieve what I set out to do in the last 4 years? Here in Italics are the Councillor Phil Batemananswers to the promises that I made back in 2012! It’s great that WV11 set these questions, because four years on you can judge if the actions were close or wide of the mark set.

 

WV11- What made you decide to stand for election?

Phil Bateman 2012 – I have been active in Wednesfield politics and community affairs for more than 40 years. I have the burning desire to help make our community a better place to live, work and take leisure time. I have a long history of delivering better facilities, both into Wednesfield and the region.

The Ashmore Inn with World Cycle Speedway support!

The Ashmore Inn with World Cycle Speedway support!

Phil Bateman 2016- I think I have lived up to the words, I have never lost the passion to deliver a better community. Four years on I think a lot of improvements have taken place here. I have played a part in delivering a Community Asset in joining with the Ashmore Inn patrons and helping the PH survive. I have played a part with the community and my fellow Councillors’ in supporting the Volunteers in creating perhaps the best Community Hub in Wolverhampton. I have continued to promote the Wyrley & Essington Canal in Wednesfield and have guided it to the cusp of becoming the UK’s longest Local Nature Reserve.

WV11- What do you believe are the key issues to be dealt with in your ward?

Phil Bateman 2012 – The key issues will be around people and their struggle with every-day life. Giving help and assistance to individuals and families and highlighting the inequalities that they face on a day to day basis

Phil Bateman 2016- Well I think I lived up to that promise I have held regular advice surgeries and I have also at every opportunity highlighted the problems that individuals and families 11781813_1059971470682046_3938366174862988117_nAshmore Park Consultation august 2015have had here in Wednesfield North. Plus I have sought solutions. There is a very long list of individuals and families, organisations and sporting clubs that have had help from me over the last four years. Additional to that I have never ‘hidden’. Tough issues are not always solvable, there have been plenty of those that have been around in 2012 and onwards!

 

WV11- If you are elected how do you plan to keep your constituents informed of what you are doing to represent them?

Phil Bateman 2012 -I had a very good track record of representation over the years, and I am proud to say that I have run a web site www.philbateman.com for many years. In the early years of the web site, it was recognised as being ground breaking,  it even reached a national ATOS final and I was invited to London as one of five finalists! Constituents will be able to follow the issues I am involved with by use of that web site, and the social  media like Twitter and Facebook where I am also found communicating around issues of local, national, and international interest. I have always operated with an Advice Surgery, I intend to do so again.

Phil Bateman 2016- Information for residents are very much key, to being able to serve. My social media sites have kept me in touch with what is happening, and has helped me to Initial Design - Post Pagerespond quickly to individuals and Group’s needs. I am proud of the work I have done with them and I do believe that Wednesfield North residents are the best informed community in Wolverhampton.

  

 

WV11- How do you feel you will be able to make a difference to your constituents?

Phil Bateman 2012- I am confident that I will be able to make a difference, not only to the way that the elected member role is delivered. But also in the response. I am passionate about my community. I am excited about being involved in an election again! I have so much experience that I want to share and use in the development of Wednesfield & Wolverhampton. There are many, many families that I have helped in the past,that will testify to the fact that I made a difference to them!

Phil Bateman 2016Well ultimately you the elector will make the decisions in the City Council Elections on May the 5th 2016. But I do believe that I have made a difference here in Wednesfield North over the last four years.

WV11- Anything else you would like to add?

Phil Bateman 2012 – I am a proud former Mayor of Wolverhampton. During the course of my Mayoral Year I raised almost £30,000 for charities which included the Children Ward at New Cross Hospital, The Everyman Cancer Charity fighting  testicular cancer, and Divine Onkar a Wolverhampton based Charity that helps the rural poor in India; In 2004 I received an MBE for my services to transport across the West Midlands. I have also received a Fellowship from the Chartered Institute of Transport & Logistics.

I believe strongly in the role of Law and Oder and I am proud to have received a Chief Constable commendation for work I had undertaken with the Police in the West Midlands.

I am a former Labour Party Parliamentary Candidate.

I am the Secretary of Wednesfield North Labour Party.

I am the current Chairman of Ashmore Park Nursery School, and The Parks Children Centre. I am extremely proud of the role that I have played at Ashmore Park Nursery along with the Governors over past years. A role which has led to £1m being invested into the school which has been rebuilt and refurbished. Plus the advocacy and campaign for the addition of the Children Centre, providing quality support to young parents and their children across Wednesfield North. Also the fact that the Nursery School has received an ˜Outstanding school grade in each of the last two OFSTED inspections it has faced.

I am proud of my community which led me to bringing the Commonwealth Secretary General to Coppice High School in 2006. I intend to one day write a book about our community!

I remain committed to developing the canal network as a wild life reserve and as a facility for Wednesfield people to enjoy. There is much, much more!

Phil Bateman 2016- Well what can I say or add to those 2012 comments?

Cycle speedway night!Both Mary and I continue to collect and deliver for charity. The Children’s Society and Cancer Charities have been, and still are the focus of much of our work in this direction. I have taken part and ridden in two Charity Race meetings with Wednesfield Aces, since 2012. At the age of 66 now, those races are even more challenging each year!

I am proud of my record as Chair of Governors on the Ashmore Park Nursery. Where I have played an integral role with Governors, on gaining the third OFSTED Outstanding School Award on the trot. I am proud that this school and the growing international reputation it has. It is giving our youngest children the start in life that will build their life chances.

 

Phil Bateman

Phil Bateman is Married to Mary and lives in Wednesfield North. He was a long serving local politician having served previously on the now defunct West Midlands County Council... read more

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