Hucknall Central by-election: Conservative candidate Jan Lees declares 'I do want a lot for Hucknall'

The Conservative candidate for the Hucknall Central Ward by-election next week is Jan Lees.

Mrs Lees is a well-known figure in the local community, being heavily involved with the Hucknall Hope Lea Project, a registered charity which aims to improve the quality of life for people with a learning disability.

She has previously been Hucknall's community champion and has for the last few years coordinated the Remembrance display on Hucknall market.

The by-election has been called after requests from residents following the sad passing of former Labour and latterly Ashfield Independent Councillor Jim Blagden.

Now, Jan is bidding to become the first Conservative candidate elected to represent Central ward on Ashfield District Council since 2007.

Asked about her motivation for standing, speaking to Hucknall Nub News, she said: "I am standing in the by-election because I'm passionate about Hucknall and I want to be a voice on the council for the town I love. I live and work in Hucknall and have found the majority of our residents care just as passionately.

"My family moved to Hucknall when my husband left the forces. I soon learned that Hucknall was where we wanted to be and have now lived and worked here for 28 years.

"I know we have a truly amazing community in Hucknall, and I have had the pleasure of working with many of the people who are part of the numerous groups locally. I am humbled by the dedication and passion people have in our town and I am so pleased to be part of it. Other people and I only have to put out a rallying cry for anything and Hucknall responds."

"For five years I worked as Hucknall's community champion and got to know many wonderful caring people, who work so hard to help make this the best town it can possibly be, I want to carry on being part of that process. I want to say 'what about Hucknall?' I want to say 'we are not second best'. I want to carry on engaging locally and ensure that Hucknall is heard. We are fed up with being an afterthought. Hucknall matters and it matters greatly."

Mrs Lees is standing for the Conservative Party in the by-election. Nationally, the Conservatives are struggling in the polls, lagging behind Labour by over 20 percentage points following former Prime Minister Liz Truss' infamous mini- budget.

Asked what she would say to voters who are potentially put off voting Conservative by the Government's performance, Jan said: "I recognise that people are absolutely fed up with politics nationally and I also see there are some rather deceitful political shenanigans happening locally.

"I am not standing to become involved in any of this I am standing for Hucknall. I care about Hucknall, and I want the best I can possibly get for Hucknall."

On the issues she feels most affect the people living in Hucknall and that she would prioritise if she was elected, Mrs Lees added: "I keep my ear to the ground and try to be aware of what concerns people locally. The main concerns I am aware of, as I'm sure most of Hucknall are, are antisocial behaviour, drugs and crime, lack of infrastructure, including Doctors and Dentists. Hucknall always appearing to be second best on council, and of course inappropriate housing. That's just for starters."

The feeling of Hucknall not being prioritised by Ashfield District Council in comparison to Kirkby and Sutton is a view that is shared by many opposition Councillors as well as some residents. The Local Plan drawn up by the Council added fuel to this fire, with over 50% of the potential housing being put in Hucknall. This included the hugely controversial decision to allocate 3000 houses to be built on the green belt land of Whyburn Farm in Hucknall West Ward.

Nearly 8000 residents signed a petition opposing the development. And following comments made by Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove, and then Prime Minister Boris Johnson about potential alterations to Government targets, the development was taken off the plan.

However, it remains to be seen if this will be accepted by the inspectorate, meaning there are no guarantees that Whyburn Farm is safe.

Jan is clear about her stance on the matter: "I will oppose The Whyburn Farm Housing plan and challenge inappropriate housing developments."

On her other priorities if she is elected, she said: "I will facilitate engagement with the police and residents to challenge antisocial behaviour and crime in our community. We want safer cleaner streets!

"We need to protect our environment and become more energy efficient. We need an appropriate health centre with all the facilities our town needs and deserves. We need to work with the system to get one. We have a growing and ageing population with more health needs. I want to work with the appropriate people to help this happen."

Mrs Lees has a clear passion for Hucknall and for change and she wants that to be the focus of her campaign rather than the limelight being on her for political gain.

She concludes: "I want a lot, I know. But it's not about me. I don't want to climb ladders and be this that and the other, but I do want a lot for Hucknall. I think it's about time we started changing a few things at Ashfield District Council and making it more about us (residents of Hucknall)."

The by-election takes place on Wednesday (23 November) with the result set to be declared the following day.