As the date of election for members of our local council approaches, it is as well to give some thought to casting our votes and to the candidates who will be asking for them. Whatever one may think of existing councillors, they are likely, through attendance at meetings of the council, to have some idea of the policies and problems facing it.

If a potential new councillor calls on you soliciting your support, just ask how many council meetings he or she has attended as a member of the public. After all, when applying for any other job, a candidate would do his homework and discover what he was letting himself in for wouldn't he? Standing for election should be no different.

If he is an existing councillor ask him what he feels he has achieved during his term of office. If he has knocked on your door as opposed to merely pushing a leaflet through your letter-box, will you ever see him around again once elected?

Another aspect to ponder over is that there are at least six married couples standing for Council seats. Is this something to be encouraged or should representation be more evenly spread across the

population of the Forest?

The answer to your questions may help you to decide whether the candidate deserves your vote – or not.

– Dr Daphne Pearson, Redbrook.