Our local Green Party is committed to contesting as many of these seats as possible across Mid Sussex, Crawley and Horsham.
Use your vote. If you are one of the 81% of people who think we are in a climate emergency, vote for these Green Party candidates and help us make a difference.
These Green Party candidates are ready and waiting to make the changes in our governance that we all know need to be made. But before this can happen we need your vote.
On 6th May please Vote, and please Vote Green.
Mid Sussex Candidates
I moved to Sussex 3 years ago and before that lived near Henley on Thames for 30 years where we raised our three children. I was a school governor, active member of my children’s schools’ PTA’s and was involved in a successful campaign to stop our local common being enclosed. I organised a volunteer group which met monthly on the common, clearing bracken and maintaining footpaths.
Since moving to Sussex, I have been looking after my grandchildren and exploring the lovely countryside around us. Burgess Hill is a lovely place to live and it is important our green areas are protected and facilities improved and maintained for the future in a sustainable and practical way.
I joined the Green Party because it’s the only party giving proper attention to the most important issues facing us: climate change, antibiotic resistance, and the real threat of another more deadly pandemic.
The last year has taught us many things: the importance of our green spaces, community, collective cooperation, and that none of us are immune to external threats. We have shown that we can adapt and change. Local government needs to plan and make decisions paying proper attention to the challenges that face us. We need to encourage the green economy, good public transport, protect against further erosion of our green spaces and ensure good public services for young and old.
Bob is a keen cyclist: in the last 12 months he has cycled 5,000 miles and driven just 350, backing up his commitment to stop our damage to the environment. He’s great at repairing bikes.
The global climate emergency is the biggest issue of our time and should be at the forefront of all political deliberations and decisions made in every tier of government from International treaties down to local county and district councils.
I support Green policies for energy generation, transport and planning. I would like to see more low-traffic neighbourhoods, compulsory alternative energy provision in new housing developments, and the protection of green spaces.
If elected I will work hard to promote opportunities to improve people's quality of lives and the environment we share.
I joined the Green Party because I wanted to do something to help address the environmental issues that I first become aware of over 30 years ago when I studied Geography at the University of Sussex. By standing as a candidate, I believe I offer people in East Grinstead more choice when voting and a chance to voice their concerns about the environment crisis we are facing.
My work since 2012 has involved delivering training to improve mental health and wellbeing and I see developing a healthy connection to nature as an important part of this.
Things that make me happy are gardening, walking my dog in local woods and swimming outdoors throughout the year.
If elected I would support plans and policies that enhance life for local people and improve and protect the natural environment.
If elected, I will:
* work hard representing issues raised by the people of Haywards Heath at the council.
* hold the council to account for promises made in its forward plan including infrastructure improvements in Haywards Heath.
*scrutinise WSCC policies and propose amendments that uphold core values of the Green Party - Social Justice, Climate Protections, Public Health and Wellbeing.
With my management background in roles such as a Director of Strategic Planning I see the need for change in the way local and national government conduct themselves in the face of the greatest threat of all - the climate emergency.
The time for action is NOW. You have a great opportunity to act by voting Green on May 6th.
Recently retired from running a successful business in television sound, I spend my time smallholding and developing ideas in energy efficiency and resource management. Having lived in Lindfield for over 30 years, I see the changes that are happening in our villages and I think our single-party dominated councils are missing opportunities to lift our environmental and social responsibilities higher up the list of priorities.
Our West Sussex community has an incredible wealth of talented residents and The Green Party wants to develop cooperation and inclusion in the political process so that all voices are heard.
If elected I will listen and make our local voices heard in West Sussex County Council.
Candidate CV – Matthew Brewin
• Studied at St Marks School, Staplefield 1998 – 2005.
• Studied at Warden Park Secondary School 2005 – 2010.
• Studied at Central Sussex College, Haywards Heath 2010 – 2013.
• Lived in Staplefield from birth until I moved to Haywards Heath in 2014.
• Worked at The Victory Inn, Staplefield 2011 – 2020.
• Work at St Marks School, Staplefield now as the After School Club Manager also work at St Wilfrid’s Catholic School, Burgess Hill as a Learning Support Assistant and Cleaner.
• Have an allotment in Warninglid since 2020.
• Studying to be a teacher through the Open University since 2017.
• Main areas of interest are the environment and education.
Crawley Candidates - County Council
Richard lives right on the edge of Bewbush backing onto land that up until recently was vast Green space, now heavily threatened by the West of Ifield development. He is another one of the Green candidates that, if elected, will stand firmly and loudly in opposition to other councils using Crawley borderlands as fertile gain for their housing stocks due to lack of opposition.
It's not just the use of questionable tactics of larger, bordering councils, and Homes England that Richard will address, but other issues like local infrastructure plans to handle increased traffic, rewilding grass verges and wildflower areas, promoting local community projects and initiatives to make Bewbush and North Broadfield a place to be proud of living. Protecting our remaining Green spaces is key if Bewbush is to be encircled by further housing.
Richard also strongly opposes the Henty Close housing plan on the site of the current playground plus the surrounding greenfield land, just off Sullivan Drive. This development is a reckless further attack on the vital Green corridor that joins Buchan Park and the Bewbush Water Gradens. It is also yet another playground lost in Bewbush.
Bewbush and North Broadfield already has a lot to be proud of, but more can be done to help all generations, especially the younger ones. Waterfield Adventure Playground may never open again, and if it does, it may no longer be staffed. This is a massive hit to the local children of the area. Richard will put forward plans to reopen public consultation on this, and heavily push for a reversal.
Vote for Richard Kail, Green Party, in the Bewbush & Ifield West County Council election on 6th May.
Having spent many years of his life in Ifield, Iain is ready to stand up for Ifield residents on West Sussex County Council.
Iain will:
Heavily oppose the catastrophic West of Ifield development.
Put forward a plan for a Crawley Economic Model, designed to help grow Crawley's economy utilising local businesses, organisations and citizens to bring Crawley out of the Covid-19 pandemic in a better position than when we went in.
Oppose the building of a second runway at Gatwick Airport, and support local Trade unions in their campaign for a Green New Deal for Gatwick.
Help kick-start a Local Exchange and Trading System, similar to systems seen in the past around Crawley, to help local residents work together and share their expertise with one another for mutual benefit. Helping those who have suffered most from the pandemic mentally and physically get the services they require without traditional cost.
Vote for Iain Dickson - Green Party, on 6th May at the Langley Green & Ifield East County Council elections.
Having spent a lot of her life in Ifield, Sally-Claire is eager to get the best for Ifield residents on West Sussex County Council, and knows that a new voice at the table is needed at a time when confidence in our local political system is very low.
Ifield is being threatened by the 10,000 home Horsham District Council 'West of Ifield' development, and Sally-Claire will fight to stop swathes of biodiverse land from being decimated along with the Ifield Golf Course, for yet more unaffordable homes and yet more pollution and poor infrastructure.
Vote for Sally-Claire Fadelle, Green Party on 6th May at the Maidenbower & Worth County Council elections!
A Green Party member since it was called the Ecology Party, Cyril has run in many elections and received 483 votes in 2019, a record Green vote for the area at the time.
A proud and very active member of Crawley CND, Cyril has worked alongside many other local campaigners to make the world a safer and more peaceful place.
If elected, Cyril will fight for Pound Hill and Crawley residents on all fronts, including better funded and maintained services, more accountability, public engagement and representation at the council, stronger local public transport, safer cycling routes.
Cyril will provide a voice of reason and responsibility on the Council, helping make sure every decision has the climate emergency, the health and wellbeing of Crawley people at the heart of it.
Vote for Cyril Gambrell, Green Party in Pound Hill at the County Council elections on 6th May.
If elected in Southgate, Robin will champion Green policies in Crawley, like safe, social, liveable housing, saving our Green spaces, improving the town's air quality, and boosting local community led projects that will help the town re-find its identity.
Robin also has a vision for Crawley to boost it's Green industry. As a town with one of the largest industrial estates outside London, and Gatwick Airport on it's doorstep, Crawley is perfectly positioned to be a pioneer in Green industry and technology. Attracting Green minded business and tech to the town with a Crawley Economic Model and a Green New Deal, will boost our local economy and help shift our employment reliance away from only air travel, but into new areas too.
Crawley desperately needs new ways of maintaining high employment without relying solely on Gatwick Airport, Robin believes that the Green Party has new ideas and new answers to that question.
Vote for Robin Fitton, Green Party in Southgate & Gossops Green at the upcoming County Council elections on 6th May.
Hazelwick Roundabout is located at the centre of Crawley's only Air Quality Management Area. AQMAs are designed to highlight poor air quality in the worst areas, and then local authorities are supposed to bring in measures to improve in these areas.
The Hazelwick AQMA has been in place for 5 years, and instead of progress, we are seeing proposals from the council to extend it into Northgate and up to Three Bridges Station.
Danielle, if elected will fight for urgent action on the poor air quality in the area, which can and does effect lives of people young and old in Three Bridges.
Danielle is also a keen environmental activist, hoping to help make the world a liveable and sustainable place for the people of Crawley, the wildlife that we share our world with and her young family to grow up into.
Vote for Danielle Kail, Green Party on 6th May in the Three Bridges County Council elections.
Tom is currently studying towards a master's degree in Environmental Management, putting his passion for sustainable environmental policies into practice both personally and professionally.
Personally Tom is passionate about: environmental protection, climate change, sustainable development, animal rights, the protection of biodiversity, renewable energy solutions and sustainable housing.
Local issues of the most concern for Tom include:
- The proposed expansion of Gatwick Airport to the detriment of local residents in terms of noise and air pollution.
- The West of Ifield housing development proposal and the strain this will have on our essential services and infrastructure.
If elected Tom will ensure that local residents have a real say in future developments and proposals that may compromise our way of life or our well loved green spaces; which have in recent times become a vital source of escape from our homes during the pandemic measures.
Tom will help to put forward policies to help Tilgate and Crawley reach their potential as key areas of interest and importance.
Boosting community engagement and keeping people informed about what he and the Council are doing for the people of Tilgate is at the top of Tom's agenda.
Vote for Tom Coombes, Green Party on 6th May at the County Council elections in Tilgate & Furnace Green.
Crawley Borough Council Candidates
Richard lives right on the edge of Bewbush backing onto land that up until recently was vast Green space, now heavily threatened by the West of Ifield development. He is another one of the Green candidates that, if elected, will stand firmly and loudly in opposition to other councils using Crawley borderlands as fertile gain for their housing stocks due to lack of opposition.
It's not just the use of questionable tactics of larger, bordering councils, and Homes England that Richard will address, but other issues like local infrastructure plans to handle increased traffic, rewilding grass verges and wildflower areas, promoting local community projects and initiatives to make Bewbush and North Broadfield a place to be proud of living. Protecting our remaining Green spaces is key if Bewbush is to be encircled by further housing.
Richard also strongly opposes the Henty Close housing plan on the site of the current playground plus the surrounding greenfield land, just off Sullivan Drive. This development is a reckless further attack on the vital Green corridor that joins Buchan Park and the Bewbush Water Gradens. Its also yet another playground lost in Bewbush.
Bewbush and North Broadfield has a lot to already be proud of, but more can be done to help all generations, especially the younger ones. Waterfield Adventure Playground may never open again, and if it does, it may no longer be staffed. This is a massive hit to the local children of the area. Richard will put forward plans to reopen public consultation on this, and heavily push for a reversal.
Vote for Richard Kail, Green Party, in the Bewbush and North Broadfield local election on 6th May.
Ben stood in the 2017 council elections, and has been a Green Party supporter since his teenage years.
If elected, Ben will stand up for residents in their battles for safer roads, public transport, Greener homes and stronger public services. He will protect and enhance our Green spaces across Gossops Green and North East Broadfield, including Broadfield Brook wetlands, Rathlins Green space, Dormans, and the Millpond area.
Ben believes Gossops Green is one of the most unique and diverse areas of town, and has massive potential for community-driven improvements and projects that could cement it as one of the best parts of Crawley.
Vote for Ben Fletcher, Green Party on 6th May 2021 at the Gossops Green and North East Broadfield local elections.
Having spent many years of his life in Ifield, Iain is ready to stand up for Ifield residents on Crawley Borough Council.
Iain will:
Heavily oppose the catastrophic West of Ifield development.
Put forward a plan for a Crawley Economic Model, designed to help grow Crawley's economy utilising local businesses, organisations and citizens to bring Crawley out of the Covid-19 pandemic in a better position than when we went in.
Oppose the building of a second runway at Gatwick Airport, and support local Trade unions in their campaign for a Green New Deal for Gatwick.
Help kick-start a Local Exchange and Trading System, similar to systems seen in the past around Crawley, to help local residents work together and share their expertise with one another for mutual benefit. Helping those who have suffered most from the pandemic mentally and physically get the services they require without traditional cost.
Vote for Iain Dickson - Green Party, on 6th May at the Ifield local elections.
Having spent a lot of her life in Ifield, Sally-Claire is eager to get the best for Ifield residents on Crawley Borough Council, and knows that a new voice at the table is needed at a time when confidence in our local political system is very low.
Ifield is being threatened by the 10,000 home Horsham District Council 'West of Ifield' development, and Sally-Claire will fight to stop swathes of biodiverse land from being decimated along with the Ifield Golf Course, for yet more unaffordable homes and yet more pollution and poor infrastructure.
Vote for Sally-Claire Fadelle, Green Party on 6th May at the Ifield local elections!
The COVID situation has highlighted Crawley's overdependence on the Airport. I will oppose any expansion plans for Gatwick and work to encourage and support financial investment and diversity within Crawley businesses towards green and sustainable business growth and jobs.
The environmental damage to people's health as a result of the Airport, the motorway and local road congestion has been hidden for too long.
I will support:
* Measures to reduce carbon emissions.
* The infrastructure for more EV charging points.
* More thoughtfully planned cycle lanes at pinch points.
Also, I will encourage:
* The Council to commit to a Net Zero Pledge by investment in its facilities.
* Joined-up thinking between doorstep waste collection and the work of recycling centres.
* Doorstep food waste collection.
* A review of the new facilities for booking visits to the Council Tip to prevent condoning fly-tipping.
I will oppose and expose:
* The reduction in expenditure on local Social & Community Services that people in need are dependent upon.
A Green Party member since it was called the Ecology Party, Cyril has run in many elections and even received 483 votes in 2019, a record Green vote for the area.
A proud and very active member of Crawley CND, Cyril has worked alongside many other local campaigners to make the world a safer and more peaceful place.
If elected, Cyril will fight for Pound Hill and Crawley residents on all fronts, including better funded and maintained services, more accountability, public engagement and representation at the council, stronger local public transport, safer cycling routes.
Cyril will provide a voice of reason and responsibility on the Council, helping make sure every decision has the climate emergency, the health and wellbeing of Crawley people at the heart of it.
Vote for Cyril Gambrell, Green Party in Pound Hill at the Crawley local elections on 6th May.
If elected in Southgate, Robin will champion Green policies in Crawley, like safe, social, liveable housing, saving our Green spaces, improving the town's air quality, and boosting local community led projects that will help the town re-find its identity.
Robin also has a vision for Crawley to boost it's Green industry. As a town with one of the largest industrial estates outside London, and Gatwick Airport on it's doorstep, Crawley is perfectly positioned to be a pioneer in Green industry and technology. Attracting Green minded business and tech to the town with a Crawley Economic Model and a Green New Deal, will boost our local economy and help shift our employment reliance away from only air travel, but into new areas too.
Crawley desperately needs new ways of maintaining high employment without relying on only Gatwick Airport, Robin believes that the Green Party has new ideas and new answers to that question.
Vote for Robin Fitton, Green Party in Southgate at the upcoming local elections on 6th May.
Hazelwick Roundabout is located at the centre of Crawley's only AQMA (Air Quality Management Area). AQMAs are designed to highlight poor air quality in the worst areas, and then local authorities are supposed to bring in measures to improve in these areas.
The Hazelwick AQMA has been in place for 5 years, and instead of progress, we are seeing proposals from the council to extend it into Northgate and up to Three Bridges Station.
Danielle, if elected will fight for urgent action on the poor air quality in the area, which can and does effect lives of people young and old in Three Bridges.
Danielle is also a keen environmental activist, hoping to help make the world a liveable and sustainable place for the people of Crawley, the wildlife that we share our world with and her young family to grow up into.
Vote for Danielle Kail, Green Party on 6th May in the Three Bridges local elections.
Tom is currently studying towards a master's degree in Environmental Management, putting his passion for sustainable environmental policies into practice both personally and professionally.
Personally Tom is passionate about: environmental protection, climate change, sustainable development, animal rights, the protection of biodiversity, renewable energy solutions and sustainable housing.
Local issues of the most concern for Tom include:
- The proposed expansion of Gatwick Airport to the detriment of local residents in terms of noise and air pollution.
- The West of Ifield housing development proposal and the strain this will have on our essential services and infrastructure.
If elected Tom will ensure that local residents have a real say in future developments and proposals that may compromise our way of life or our well loved green spaces; which have in recent times become a vital source of escape from our homes during the pandemic measures.
Tom will help to put forward policies to help Tilgate and Crawley reach their potential as key areas of interest and importance.
Boosting community engagement and keeping people informed about what he and the Council are doing for the people of Tilgate is at the top of Tom's agenda.
Vote for Tom Coombes, Green Party on 6th May at the local elections in Tilgate.
Horsham Candidates
In 2019 he was elected, as a Green Party candidate, to represent Bramber, Upper Beeding and Woodmancote on Horsham District Council, where he has pushed for improved house construction standards, and supported carbon reduction programmes https://brambercastlegreens.blogspot.com
Mike has lived with his wife in Bramber for over 40 years. Both are long time members of Greening Steyning: Mike having served as Treasurer for 10 years. He strongly believes in the maxim of 'think global, act local' with regard to climate change, and is acutely aware of the difficulties caused to local government by mandatory central government growth targets. Mike also has a keen interest in protecting the rural environment and encouraging local enterprise, including enabling sustainable transport, both within and between communities.
Follow him on Twitter @CrokerFor
Community involvement has always been important to me and living in Henfield has made me aware that many rural areas miss out on levels of essential services. As a First Responder I was involved in setting up the HART Group in Henfield to provide much needed support for the emergency services in a rural area. This led on to the development of a mental health drop-in facility to fill an essential gap in community care. Taking on a fundraising role to finance a leisure centre for Henfield led to the establishment of vital sport, health leisure facilities for both the village and the wider community.
I have always felt passionate about issues relating to human rights and environmental sustainability, actively campaigning throughout my life on health and green topics. I have had long periods of active Green Party membership dating back to the Ecology Party and was a member of the first West Sussex Green Party. As Coordinator of Friends of the Earth (FOE) Europe, we, along with the Greens, initiated the discussions with Monsanto and other such companies about their use of certain pesticides.
Normally I prefer to work behind the scenes. However, the private members' Bill proposed by Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, which calls for far reaching government action to tackle the climate and ecology emergency, has helped me decide to stand as a County Council candidate. WSCC has far reaching responsibilities and now has the opportunity to make a Green New Deal a realistic policy to tackle social and environmental injustice simultaneously.
I will listen closely to the voices of the residents of Cowfold, Henfield, Shermanbury and West Grinstead. The views and beliefs of all local communities are key to authoring an approach which is holistic and representative. Together, we can make a difference. I believe that a new voice is now needed at WSCC.
Vote for Celia Emmott and The Green Party on 6th May 2021 for a Healthier Life and Healthier Planet.
I joined the Green Party whilst living in the US as I became more aware of social and climate change issues and alarmed at the disregard and apathy shown by sections of the population and in particular the Trump administration. I was also concerned that the UK leaving the EU would have potential impacts on the environment.
Closer to home the things that are important to me are :
* I am a passionate advocate of access to leisure facilities, whether that be for those who want to compete seriously, those who want to get together with friends for a kick about, or for those who want to enjoy parks and footpaths.
No matter what your age and ability, amenities should be available and I don’t think Pulborough is as well catered for as other areas of the county. In particular, as the father of a toddler I think some of the local play areas could be improved and there doesn’t seem to be much for teenagers and young adults to do in their free time.
* The local roads are getting worse.
After living on the east coast of the US, I am used to poor roads at this time of the year due to brutal winters. But the roads here seem worse. Plans to build thousands of new houses all around the county will mean more and more cars leading to worse roads and poorer air quality. Cycling and public transport links need to be improved to give people a real alternative to using the car.
* It saddens me to see the amount of litter on our streets and roads. Fly-tipping is not only a blight on the curbside but it impacts and harms the environment. Yet access to local recycling and waste facilities is being restricted. If elected, I will put pressure in council to make the refuse tips more accessible and run public information campaigns to encourage responsible engagement with recycling.
On May 6th Vote Jon Campbell, Green Party in the West Sussex County Council elections to represent Pulborough.
Claudia's family have been based in Greatham, near Storrington, for 110 years. Claudia loves the area and the fact that this 10km square of land is one of the most bio-diverse in the country.
Claudia is mother to five, mostly grown-up children, who has continued to work since the birth of her first child. Up until last summer, when she took on the role of Green Party South East Field Organiser, Claudia had always been self-employed, turning her hand to a variety of ventures including commercial ceramics, multiple-outlet retail and hospitality. For 10 years Claudia volunteered her time first as family experience champion, then as Parent Governor and Lead Governor at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Claudia is an active environmental campaigner.
Claudia enjoys her work with the Green Party immensely. She says, "The hard work and dedication of Local Green Parties across the South East is incredibly inspiring, I've seen first-hand what a difference even one Green Councillor can make. This prompted me to stand in Storrington. It’s time for a fresh voice speaking up for what we all know is right."
"Our area, nestling within the South Downs National Park, is incredibly beautiful - but it feels neglected:
*The roads are full of potholes,
*Each time I go for a walk I fill a carrier bag full of litter,
*Rather than tackling the blight that is fly tipping the Council propose restricting use of public amenity sites,
*Species which were once common are now rare,
*Flooding is an ever-present threat,
*High traffic levels, especially through Storrington, and the resulting air pollution is deeply concerning - our health is being damaged, and
*The Conservative led Council want to close up to 32 Children's Centres, including one in Pulborough.
"None of this is good enough. Storrington deserves better. I say enough is enough. I will speak up for Storrington, Amberley, Washington and Ashington. I will do all I can to conserve our way of life, and to conserve and improve our precious environment for our children and grandchildren. So-called ‘progress’ at any cost is not something we should accept. I will work hard to protect, nurture and support our community."
Vote for Claudia Fisher, Green Party, on 6th May for a brighter, greener, cleaner and more connected Storrington for all.
