What would you do to ease the pressure on the Countess of Chester Hospital?
In the short term deal with the backlog of work and take on additional resources for a finite period.
Attention must be given to those who do not attend appointments. In some cases non- attendance can be explained. In other cases not.
My party wants to provide care in peoples homes to prevent emergency admissions and make it easier to discharge people from hospital and we have costed this.
In the long term we need to address preventative measures on alcohol and drug abuse; on obesity and diabetes; on depression and sexual health. Agencies working together at the earliest stage to keep people healthy.
Do you think that the University of Chester should be allowed to expand unabated?
No, the university is strategically important to the city reputationally, for employment and revenue, so I believe an agreed plan covering; student accommodation; faculty growth; impact on infrastructure and community and integrating university with business and jobs in the city is key to a healthy relationship that adds to Chester’s offer and builds a strong union of town and gown.
How would you coordinate roadworks in the city to ensure the least disruption to commuters?
In the short to medium term any planned works must have the support of council, utility companies and highways agency (as appropriate).
Too often the same strip of road is excavated too often within too short a timescale. Government should legislate if necessary to guarantee agencies work together.
In the longer term we need a strategy for our city, that was not built for the motor car, to transport people into and out of our city efficiently.
I advocate a tram system and dedicated cycle and pedestrian corridors.
What is your tourist and shopping strategy for the city?
Every time a shop closes is another reason not to visit Chester. This must be addressed.
We must excavate the amphitheatre; build a new, vibrant family friendly museum behind it and tell the whole Chester story not just our Roman past.
This new offer will bring visitors but it will also connect city with river and Grosvenor Park with the city walls. Focus on small and medium sized independent businesses to complement the visitor attraction and so give good reason to visit the city once again.
Are plans for the theatre ambitious enough?
Simply building a theatre will not make the difference. It must complement and build on the city offering. So as well as popular shows we need Chester to be recognised as innovative; creative and a little bit “quirky”.
Our theatre should reflect that. It should work with others to address social issues; to supplement the education curriculum and be a place where residents can come to learn new skills (arts-based).
It should also offer an art gallery to showcase regional works.
What are your plans to support Cheshire West and Chester Council in light of further cuts to its annual budget?
Too much attention has been paid to cost cutting through reduction in services; outsourcing and selling assets and too little on increasing revenue.
The council should be investing in new jobs for the area; taking a lead in attracting new business.
I have long advocated a green technology park for instance (a major growth area for jobs in the UK) new technology; skilled jobs, we have the science base locally; the engineering skills and universities in close proximity. It would be part of a Chester vision: exciting; vibrant; innovative; a little bit ‘quirky’ but with its feet firmly on the ground. Let’s go for it!
Bob Thompson Fact File:
- Education: Firs School and The King’s School Chester followed by Nottingham University, degree in industrial economics
- Occupation: Retired. Now a Borough Councillor representing Hoole on CW&C. Formerly HR Director of INEOS ChlorVinyls based in Runcorn and a previous director of Chester & District Housing Trust
- Home: Hoole
- Twitter: @cllrbobthompson
- Facebook: Bob Thompson 4 Chester
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