Mid Worcestershire Conservatives have revealed their candidates who will be standing in Droitwich in May’s County Council elections.
Following a competitive process, two candidates have been chosen by party members to contest the seats of Droitwich West and Droitwich East.
The two candidates selected are:
Droitwich West – Cllr Richard Morris
Droitwich East – Cllr Bob Brookes
An experienced Councillor across Town, Wychavon and County Councils, previous Mayor of Droitwich and Chairman of Wychavon District Council, Richard has lived in the Droitwich West ward, at the top end of Chawson, and attended both Westacre and Droitwich High School.
Richard has a passion for Droitwich and its heritage, as well as a drive to support the area and the social issues that exist in some areas.
Richard said: “After volunteering through the pandemic I recognise the wonderful community that we have in Droitwich and will do my utmost to build on this to bring improvements to people’s livelihoods.
“I am committed to fulfil work I’ve commenced on: Westlands Roundabout, the station refurbishment and parking solution to alleviate residential areas, improved pavements & street lighting, addressing social mobility issues, supporting retention of the Raven Heritage and restore a Brine Baths, supporting local businesses and addressing speeding concerns with West Mercia Police.
“I also recognise that, as we come through the pandemic, youth services are going to be highly important and I want to ensure Droitwich is able to support them.”
Cllr Bob Brooks moved to Droitwich Spa nearly 40 years ago, with his wife, Veronica, and their three children. He is an electronics engineer, and at that time provided technical support to Worcestershire schools when computers were just being introduced.
Bob went on to help develop a new generation of electric wheelchair controls that improved the quality of life for many people world-wide. He also ran an electronics manufacturing business and then worked for another local business developing critical components for data-centre cooling, providing local employment.
Bob became a Town and District councillor for Droitwich East in 2011 and was subsequently elected Town Mayor in 2014.
For many years he has been the Chairman of the Henry Coventry Alms Houses Charity (located in The Holloway) which has been providing accommodation for people in Droitwich since 1688.
Bob is also a regular blood donor having given over 60 units of blood whilst living in Droitwich. He also feels very privileged to have been elected Chairman of Worcestershire County Council in 2020, chairing the first ever Zoom meetings of the full Council.
Bob said: “I am very passionate about Droitwich and its people. It's an amazing place with its natural 200 million-year-old pure salt deposits and history of salt production going back to the Iron Age and Roman times. Salt production ceased in the 1920's and I decided it was time the town regained its heritage. I was very pleased to be able to get salt production re-started after a gap of nearly 100 years. Pure Droitwich salt is now sold in many hundreds of outlets around the UK.
“I have more recently been supporting and working with a group of local residents striving to open a new Brine Baths. Good progress has been made with a successful planning application, and the design of the very specialised plant room we will need to cope with our pure, super-saturated, brine. There is still much work to do and I would like to be re-elected to have the opportunity to finish this job.
“I don't neglect the routine issues for my fellow residents either. I am always available to help. I have been successful in improving our roads, pavements and introducing LED streetlights. Although there is more work to be done, our roads are noticeably better than those in neighbouring counties.”
A full list of Conservative candidates can be found here: https://www.midworcestershireconservatives.org.uk/local-elections-2021
