Test Valley election candidates profiles – Andover Romans

These are the candidates and their own words as to why they are standing.

Andover Romans

Katie Louise Brooks (Local Conservatives)

I’m local. Having lived in and around Andover all my life, I set up my family home in Augusta Park in 2017, where my son attends Endeavour Primary School. I’m available. I run two small businesses from home giving me the flexibility and time to meet residents and work on your behalf. I’m already actively involved in various local organisations and charities, including being president of Andover Women in Business, treasurer for the Pride of Andover Awards and a trustee for Frontline Children. I want to use my strong community networks, business and financial skills to deliver for you.

Steve Hardstaff (Independent)

Steve moved to Andover when he was six. At 13, he worked in Freeman Hardy & Willis and later, Shoe Express. It was then that Steve decided to get involved in making Andover better. Wanting to do more locally, Steve became a school governor at Knight’s Enham Nursery and Infant School in 2008. In 2012, he was co-opted onto the town council. Steve is passionate about Andover and especially the Romans where he lives. You will find him walking his dogs around the ward and chatting to people most days. It is Steve’s strong belief that making parking free across Andover will help improve the number of retail businesses we have in the town.

Richard Jeremy Kidd (Liberal Democrats)

I have lived in Andover since 1991. Always community spirited, I previously served on Andover Town Council, holding the positions of vice chairman of the allotments, and assets and amenities committees.

Having resided in Andover Romans for a number of years, lately in Genoa Court and now in Texel Green, I believe that the residents deserve good and effective representation. I will be available seven days a week to listen to residents’ opinions and concerns, making sure residents’ interests come first.

I will support prudent financial measures ensuring they benefit Andover residents, both on the borough and town councils. Andover can be a great town with opportunities which we can build upon. We just need to change direction and embrace a new beginning.

Scott William John Lindfield (Labour Party)

I am standing in these elections because I love the area I live in and I want it to be the best place for my family to live, my children to go to school and my community to flourish. I have worked in care through the pandemic, I know the struggles people have gone through. As a councillor, I will work with people because I understand the local area. I will make sure Icknield Road is resurfaced and the Finkley Bridge is opened. I will be open, accessible and fight for our area. I will stand up, not stand by.

Josephine Hazel Iris Msonthi (Liberal Democrats)

As a mature candidate with wide experience of living in Andover and knowing its potential, for all people, to be a vibrant town which needs the energy and enthusiasm to get things done, it would be to your personal advantage to have me as your Liberal Democrat councillor. I chose to be a Liberal Democrat because of its unchanging view that all people should be considered when making government policies and decisions. Having served as borough councillor twice and got things done, it is about time that you gave me your vote to get things moving after a moribund 20 years of Conservative stagnation.

Kirsty Marie North (Local Conservatives)

Kirsty lives in Andover with her husband, Phil, two young children and cocker spaniel Freddie. She is committed to implementing the Andover Masterplan, having worked on the Town Mills Riverside Park scheme and working as a Hampshire and Test Valley representative to continue to push for improvements to our town centre. Having represented Andover Romans for the past four years, she would like to continue to help residents with their concerns and work to ensure the town in which we live is the best it can be.

Jason Lloyd Sangster (Liberal Democrats)

I grew up in Hampshire. I have lived in villages in the surrounding areas of Andover and the Test Valley, such as St Mary Bourne, Goodworth Clatford and Weyhill. I went to school locally in Andover, Winchester and Romsey.

I spent the last 12+ years in the IT industry expanding my knowledge and skillset further developing in the industry and working my current company for the last 10 years. I like to use my experience and skillset wherever possible, either providing technical support for friends and family, to more unique areas such as developing a tourism website for the town or setting up the council’s IT infrastructure.

I pride myself on being approachable and helping people wherever I can be of use. I can share the issues and problems that are experienced in our communities by ourselves, our neighbours, our families, and friends. When I see potential fixes and resolutions to these issues and problems, I want to do something and take action and, in the end, just want to improve the lives of the people around me.

Tracey Lorraine Tasker (Local Conservatives)

Tracey is married, has grown up in Test Valley and lives in Andover. As well as being a former business owner, she has been a councillor for the Romans Ward since 2015 and is currently the cabinet member for housing and environmental health, including diversity and inclusion.

Tracey is very active in the ward she represents and her greatest strength is that she always listens, supports and respects the views of residents. She believes people need to love where they live.