Harlow District Council elections 2019; Labour Leader reflects on the newly selected candidates

AT a meeting to select Labour candidates to contest the Harlow District Council elections in May 2019 held yesterday (Sunday September 16) at Moot Hall in The Stow, a good turnout of Labour Party members chose a mixture of experienced hands and new faces.

Eleven wards were up for grabs. Five sitting Councillors put themselves forward with four winning the ballot to have another go at contesting their seats. These were Mark Wilkinson (Harlow Common), Jean Clark (Little Parndon and Hare Street), Bob Davis (Mark Hall) and John Strachan (Staple Tye). Ian Beckett lost a ballot and will be succeeded by Jodi Dunne. Two Councillors stood down (Karen Clempner and Edna Stevens) and although they will continue to serve until next May, they will be succeeded by two new faces, Frances Mason (Toddbrook) and Shannon Jezzard (Netteswell). Other new candidates include Allan Jolley (Great Parndon), Jake Payne (Sumners & Kingsmoor), Colin Monehan (Church Langley). Old Harlow is still to be confirmed.

Leader of the Labour Group, Mark Ingall said; “This is a nicely balanced group, combining experience, fresh ideas, the wisdom of age and youthful enthusiasm. It is always sad to say goodbye to comrades who we have served alongside. Edna has been a Councillor for 12 years, serving as Vice Chair and Chair of the Council twice. Karen has served for four years and was an excellent Chair of the Audit Committee. Both will be sorely missed.

“I am particularly sad that Ian, who was a Councillor for eight years and served as Vice Chair and Chair of the Council and has been a tremendous advocate in his role as Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, will no longer be a part of the Bush Fair team. He was my fellow ward Councillor and I owe him a great deal. I wish him all the best in the future”.

Cllr Stevens said; “It has been an honour to serve, but at 83 years old but I feel the time has come to retire. I shall miss being involved, but we must all remember that the job of Councillor is bigger than the individuals doing it. The work of this Labour Council that I have been so proud to be a part of, must and will go on”.

New candidate Shannon Jezzard said; “It’s an honour to be selected for Netteswell ward and Edna’s will most definitely be big shoes to fill. I am really looking forward to getting out and meeting residents, hearing their concerns and doing everything I can to represent them on the Council”.