On the 5th of May, local borough council elections will take place in all London boroughs. Borough councils are the lower tier of the system of local government in the UK with county councils being the upper tier. However, in London boroughs, they do not have this 2-tier system as the upper tier is replaced by the Greater London Assembly. Borough councils have control over issues like rubbish collection, planning and council tax. Councillors are similar to MPs in that they vote on and discuss policy to be enacted by local government. I spoke to the Conservative candidate for the Weybridge Riverside ward (sort of like a parliamentary constituency) of the Elmbridge Borough Council (EBC). EBC borders the London Boroughs of Richmond and Kingston.
What is your background?
• I am Freddie Tshiaba and I am the Elmbridge Borough Council Conservatives Candidate for the Weybridge Riverside ward. I am a Management Consultant with over 20 years of professional experience within leading financial services institutions in the City of London. I am also a London Business School Master of Business Administration (MBA).
What is your connection with Weybridge Riverside?
• My wife and I have been living in Elmbridge for over 12 years, and in Weybridge for over 7 years. We both enjoy river walks and playing tennis in Churchfields Recreation Grounds and at the Weybridge Riverside Tennis Club. During COVID restrictions, we both worked from home for over two years and walked in every street across Weybridge as we could not travel.
Why would you like to become a councillor?
• I believe that my business background will be helpful in ensuring that our borough is run more effectively and efficiently for the benefit of taxpayers.
What would your key priorities be if you become councillor?
I have three main priorities:
• Restore Weybridge Hospital
• Oppose rise in car park charges
• Reinstate our garden waste service
Why should people vote for you?
As you may be aware, Elmbridge Council under the Liberal Democrats cannot even do the basics. They failed to empty garden waste bins for six months, blaming a national driver shortage and everyone but themselves. I would like to change that and bring effectiveness and efficiency to the way the council supports all the residents and making sure that all promises made to voters become reality once elected.
What makes you different from other candidates?
• I live in the Weybridge Riverside ward and am close to residents, and my business background will be helpful in ensuring that our borough is run more effectively for the benefit of all residents.
If you could give one message for potential voters what would it be?
• Don’t take it from me, but Dr Ben Spencer MP for Runnymede & Weybridge says that I am passionate about creating a cleaner, greener Weybridge with a vibrant Hight Street and Opportunities for all.
I have attached one of Freddie’s electoral addresses to this article and he has told me he is open to being contacted for any queries and that more information is available at his website: freddietshiaba.com .
