PCC ELECTION: Our Q & As With the PCC Candidates - What Did They Answer on Criminal Records and Council Tax Arrears?

Sue Mountstevens will be replaced by
the newly-elected PCC

Somerset Independents is not standing a candidate in the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Election 2021. More information on our decision, and information on all candidates, are in our updated article here.

Instead, we are holding all of the candidates to account and challenging them to answer the questions that residents want answered. We have picked these up from listening to residents over the past year, since we were formed during Lockdown in 2020.

We have asked questions to all 5 candidates. Some of the questions are the same for all candidates. The other questions are based on what each candidate has said in public.

Now we are not saying these candidates have done so, but some candidates might not want to answer our questions, or to re-phrase questions, or only give partial answers.

We prefer to let YOU make up your own mind.

The questions that we asked to all candidates are below. The others were specific to each candidate.

Let us know what you think of the answers, or non-answers! Contact us here.

 

Question 1

Please see the article that we published at:

https://www.somerinds.org/2021/03/avon-and-somerset-police-what-does.html

We would like to hear what you think of Ms Mountstevens' responses to our questions - what you agree with, what you do not agree with, and why you think you would do better as PCC.

... questions were sent which were specific to each candidate based on public statements or policies that they have spoken or written about, or points of contention that Somerset Independents feel are important to Somerset residents and how we are policed...

Question 4

4. Please could you read the article on our website about Mendip district councillors who have not paid their council tax, but who have still remained councillors.

https://www.somerinds.org/2021/04/revealed-two-mendip-councillors-paid.html

(a) Do you think it is right that Councillor Hayden and the unnamed councillor have not paid their council tax?

(b) Do you think it is right that they remain as councillors and still vote on matters affecting thousands or even tens of thousands of people?

(c) Do you think it is right that Mendip District has refused to provide us with the name of the other councillor who has not paid?

(d) Would you support our campaign for criminal records (DBS) checks for all councillors, MPs and PCCs?

More information on our campaign is on our website:

https://www.somerinds.org/2020/11/dbs-campaign-latest-mendip-and-taunton.html

Their Answers (more to follow...):

On 4(d), in relation to criminal records checks, the OCC candidates said:

Mark Shelford (Conservative and newly-elected to the PCC role): "In relation to roles in public office, yes I believe that there should be checks made on the suitability for candidates to be in public office."

Kerry Barker (Labour and 2nd in the election): "I agree that all elected officials should have to undergo criminal records checks – just as I have always had to do for being a school governor or a trustee of a charity."

Cleo Lake (Green): " I agree that all those in public office should undergo a full DBS Check so yes I would support your campaign on this."

John Smith (Independent): "I support the requirement for criminal record checks for PCCs."  

Heather Shearer (Lib Dems): Did not answer ANY of our questions, including on criminal records checks. 

Standing Up For Residents