Opinion: Robert Fowles on why he should be elected to Honiton Town Council in this month's election

My name is Robert Fowles and I am standing as your candidate for St. Michael's ward in the above election.

I am married and we have children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren living across the South West.

When we moved back four years ago. Honiton was our first choice and we love it here.

My successful career has spanned apprentice to senior management levels, earning a Master of Science degree by studying whilst working.

I have been both self-employed and employed in small to major international organisations, living and working mainly in the UK but also in Iran, Afghanistan and Dubai.

During this time, I have gathered lots of experience in working and leading effective multi-disciplinary teams to deliver business and service improvement.

This has required listening to and understanding the issues, influencing the decisions of others, effective communication, understanding both finance and detailed documentation.

These skills and experiences are readily transferable to the role of Town Councillor and I want to use them for the benefit and support of all our community.

I am particularly interested in the areas of:

- Working with local charities on their enablement and their co-ordination with other organisations to provide enhanced services to local residents.

- Improving the offering of the town market to bring in more local produce, promote local businesses and services.

- The regeneration of the town's centre to encourage more visitors and further diversity of independent businesses.

- Contributing to the sustainable and balanced growth of Honiton, whilst maintaining the unique character of the town. In particular, the development of infrastructure, facilities and services appropriate for additional housing and business premises.

I come to this role with the fresh perspective of not being a councillor previously and as an independent without bias.

Honiton is a great place to live and work. That is why I am asking for your vote so that I can work to improve it further for all of us.

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The other candidates who are standing for election in St Michael's Ward are Jenny Brown, Andrew Pearsall, Cathy Maunder, Lisa Beigan and John Taylor.

The election will be held on Thursday March 10 between 7am and 10pm.

The polling stations are Honiton Library on New Street and The Heathfield Inn on Walnut Road.

There will be no election for St. Paul's Ward because there were only three applications for four available positions. Applications were received from Joseph Furneaux-Gotch, Debra Hulin and Caroline Kolek.