We asked all the candidates to provide a candidate statement of up to 750 words, which should include some background about them and why they’re standing.
My name is Marc Palmer and I am the Welsh Labour Candidate in the forthcoming Whitchurch and Tongwynlais by election. I live at home with my wife and two boys.
I have deep roots in the area as I grew up in Whitchurch and attended Whitchurch High School and lived there for 30 years. Most of my family and friends still live in the village and it’s a place very close to my heart. For almost ten years now I have been running my own business in Tongwynlais.
I am passionate about this community and am a strong believer in giving something back. I can often be seen initiating and taking part in litter picks, planting flowers, building paths and installing benches to improve the community. I now want to make more of a difference and have more influence in shaping the community in which we live and the services from which we benefit.
I’m a Trustee and active member of AWEN (Arts, Whitchurch, Eglwys Newydd) a group formed to support and bring events to Whitchurch Library. Our events are well attended, especially by local children. I’m also a committee member of AFC Whitchurch. A club that has over 400 children, a senior and youth team and a walking football team registered.
This is a great area in which to live and bring up a family but I believe we can make it even better. I would like the opportunity to take your ideas forward and shape the future of our local community and Cardiff as a whole.
If you would like to get in touch, please contact me @marcPalmer75. I would be happy to have a chat and answer any questions you may have. You can also find more information about my community involvement over the years on my Facebook page: Marc Palmer – Whitchurch and Tongwynlais Community News.
My plans
Cleaner Air and Safer Streets
Campaign for cleaner air, active travel (walking and cycling) and a 20mph speed limit in residential areas of Whitchurch and Tongwynlais. This will enable people to feel happier if they’re able to walk along the streets with 20mph limits in place and parents will feel much happier in enabling their young people to play outside.
Community Investment
Fight for future investment into the Whitchurch Well-Being Hub/Library to be refurbished and the service expanded to services for older people to address isolation and loneliness.
Supporting Local Business
Lead on supporting local business to keep our high streets vibrant. I’m involved with the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers to save the High Street. I am also working with independent traders across both Villages to jointly promote their businesses through my Small Business Saturday event which can be found on Facebook @Small Business Saturday – Whitchurch and Tongwynlais.
Road Maintenance
Secure vital road maintenance to roads and potholes in Whitchurch and Tongwynlais.
Affordable Housing
- Work with Welsh Labour Cardiff Council to roll our new affordable housing across the city.
- Plan to deliver 2000 new council homes and at least 1000 by 2022.
- We are on site in 10 locations which will deliver 195 Council Homes 28 Assisted Home Ownership and 68 Homes for sale, of which 66 Council properties have been handed over and 68 open market sales completed.
- Planning permission granted for a further 4 sites delivering 366 new homes 112 council, of which 44 will be care ready for older people. Out to Consultation on a further 11 sites delivering around 500 homes.
We live in a great part of the City, a City which is widely regarded as one of the best places to live in the UK. If selected, I will work tirelessly for the ward and its constituents. It will be an honour and a privilege to be elected as a Labour representative and to serve our local community and the City of Cardiff.
My Cardiff North 