Bishop's Stortford Town Council election: Five new faces contest two seats in Chantry ward

Two seats are up for grabs in Bishop's Stortford Town Council's Chantry ward – and none of the five candidates is a sitting councillors.

Daniel Barnett (Lab) is a resident of Stortford, having grown up locally and attended The Bishop’s Stortford High School. He is studying politics at university and works locally alongside his studies.

He has been active in the community, volunteering with several organisations and participating in town events.

Daniel is passionate about local issues. Having witnessed the growth and development of the town first-hand, he will work to ensure local voices are heard.

David Moran (Con), 56, has been a Stortford resident for 20 years. He is married with two adult children.

He is passionate about ensuring the town develops in a way that maintains the quality of life for all residents, especially concerning infrastructure and leisure facilities.

He wants to ensure that council projects and plans are delivered as promised. He is determined to hold developers to account.

David has served on numerous company boards over the last 30 years in the pharmaceutical and healthcare arena. He is the president of a global events business he helped to establish.

Suzie Moran (Con), 54, is a business owner who loves sports and outdoor activities. She has been privileged to call Bishop’s Stortford home since moving here over 20 years ago.

She worked at the Bishop’s Stortford Tourist Information Centre, where she learned a lot about the town and helped to organise events including the Christmas fayre and carnival. As a councillor, she wants to ensure these events continue to be supported.

She is a keen runner and sports enthusiast who participates in local exercise groups and is a regular at parkrun. As a councillor, she would work hard to ensure Stortford remains a town to be proud of.

Miriam Swainston (Lib Dem) is a former secondary school teacher who has lived in the ward for more than 40 years.

As a mother and grandmother, she is fully aware of the need for homes but is saddened that developments have not adequately considered the need for amenities for residents or the infrastructure needed to support them without detriment to current residents.

Miriam intends to work to ensure future developments are in keeping with the historic nature of the town and improve the local environment, including reducing air pollution caused by traffic.

The fifth candidate, Matthew Bird, is standing for the Labour Party.