Here we meet all of the candidates campaigning for votes in the Cheltenham division of St Mark's and St Peter's
Peter Bowman, Ukip
I have lived in Cheltenham for twenty seven years, working in construction and now in hospitality.
Although my children both went to Pate's Grammar School, I have always felt that vocational training was undervalued and I would like to direct funding, to encourage the less academic to gain a skill.
It is inevitable that more housing will be built on the edges of Cheltenham, so it is essential that we keep our hospital services, particularly A&E, and that there is provision made for the extra demand on educational services.
Also, Junction 10 must be opened in both directions, to prevent even more traffic using Princess Elizabeth Way and Gloucester Road, when Clarence Street is closed to traffic.
UKIP promotes local accountability, which is why I would work to bring on-street parking back under borough control, with the revenue funding local needs.
Andy Coffey, Conservative
A committed Conservative, local man Andy is keen to represent St Marks and St Peters on the County Council.
He backs Gloucestershire Conservatives in not having made any cuts to funding for older people, despite the difficult savings demanded by the coalition government. He also supports the party's decision to freeze council tax for the last three years. If elected, he will back their pledge to freeze it for the next two years.
Andy also wants to see improvements to roads in the area – if elected he will work with local people to use the £20,000 improvement fund for the area to best effect.
Chris Coleman, Liberal Democrat
Chris Coleman was born in Cheltenham. He continues to live in the town with his wife Kate, a teacher, and runs his own business. He also works as a Solicitor Advocate with a local firm of solicitors. Chris was first elected as a Borough Councillor in Cheltenham in 2002 and has been councillors for St Mark's ward since last year.
In his spare time, Chris is a member of a local amateur dramatics group and has regularly appeared in pantomimes, plays and musicals. He is also a member of the Avon Fire and Rescue Service Corps of Drums.
In recent years, Chris has raised hundreds of pounds for local charities and most recently completed the 26 mile Cheltenham Circular Challenge in support of the Butterfly Garden. He is a keen supporter of Cheltenham Town and can often be found cheering them on at Whaddon Road and at their away fixtures.
Rod Gay, Labour
Born and bred in Gloucestershire Rod has lived in the St Marks area since 1990. He is a retired Mental Health Nurse and is now both a Community Governor for a local school and a Director of the Hester's Way Neighbourhood Project. He is a committed champion for this part of Cheltenham.
People often ask "Why support Labour in Cheltenham?"
It is because Labour stands for greater equality and fairness, and Rod will work to protect
local services and local democracy to ensure that this is achieved. This is especially relevant in a situation where the other two main parties have formed a coalition to undermine and sabotage all of Labour's great social legacy.
Demelza Jones, Green Party: Photograph and profile not submitted
