Dear Resident, I’m Gary Beglin and I am standing as your Conservative Candidate in the forthcoming election for Devon County Council on 1st May.

Full statement

As a retired businessman, I now have the time, energy, and commitment to focus entirely on local issues that matter to the residents of Fremington Rural. With years of experience in business, I understand the importance of practical thinking, financial responsibility and the efficient and effective use of resources.
One of the biggest recent frustrations for residents has been poorly planned roadworks. Much of the congestion and disruption could easily have been avoided had the current County Councillor been properly monitoring and coordinating the planned works before their implementation. Ensuring that local infrastructure projects are properly managed to minimise inconvenience is exactly the kind of common-sense approach I want to bring to the council—and keep Fremington Rural moving.
Our division faces real challenges, not least due to the many major housing developments. Planning, infrastructure, waste and recycling services need to work better for our growing communities. I want to bring a no-nonsense, results-driven approach to the council—one that focuses on delivering solutions, cutting through bureaucracy, and always putting local people first.
Devon County Council, like most councils, are in a difficult financial position, with rising costs, an ageing population, reduced government support and an expectation that councils should be doing more. Despite what many may think about our Conservative-led County Council, we have lived within our means where others have failed. Financial mismanagement has led to rubbish piling up on the streets of Labour-run Birmingham and reduced services, crippling parking charges and council taxes rising by three times the rate of inflation in Lib Dem-run Somerset.
I fear that if the Lib Dems take over Devon County Council, they will do the same here. They have a track record of bold but often unachievable promises funded by spiralling debt. This is exactly what they did the last time they ran Devon, leaving behind more than £460 million of long-term, interest-only loans. At £21m per year, that’s over £300m in interest payments that has not been available for services since 2009. That’s a lot of potholes that could have been fixed! Nevertheless, last year, Devon fixed twice as many potholes as Somerset and has increased next year’s budget for Social Services in real-terms – more services, not fewer.
I’ve been out and about in the ward, listening to residents and understanding the key concerns of our community. I won’t promise to have all the answers immediately, but I do promise to listen, work hard, and make sure that Fremington Rural gets all the attention and support it deserves. As a County Councillor, I will continue to fight for safer, well-maintained roads. I will continue to support local causes with locality funding. And I will be available and approachable every day. I will be there for you.
I would be honoured if you would consider lending me your vote to bring real experience and dedication to our local community.
Yours sincerely,
Gary Beglin
Conservative Party Candidate for Fremington Rural
Promoted by Jon Daniel on behalf of Gary Beglin both of the North Devon Conservatives Association, The Strand North Devon, EX31 1EU