by Hayley Robinson

Candidates for the vacant Kemsley ward council seat will go head-to-head at the polls today (Thursday).

Labour's Richard Raycraft, the Liberal Democrats' Berick Tomes, Tory Mike Whiting and UKIP's Derek Carnell will be contesting it.

The by-election for the two-seat ward was called following the death of former councillor Brenda Simpson in December following a long illness.

The other seat is held by Cllr Sue Gent (Con).

Polling stations will be set up at Kemsley village hall in The Square and Ridham Avenue and Clock Tower Hall, Adisham Green, Kemsley.

Residents will be able to cast their vote between 7am and 10pm with the result announced at Kemsley village hall later tonight.

Applications to register to vote had to be received by the electoral registration officer by Wednesday, February 22 along with new applications to vote by post.

New applications to vote by proxy had to be received on Wednesday, February 29.

The deadline for new applications to vote by proxy on grounds of a medical emergency must be received by the electoral registration officer by no later than 5pm today.

The returning officer and electoral registration officer's address is Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 3HT

The candidates

Mike Whiting (Cons)

Mike Whiting has lived near Key Street for the past six years.

He is married to Sue and the couple have two grown-up children.

The 53 year old has been the Kent County Council member for Swale Central, which includes Kemsley, since 2009. He was also a Swale councillor for four years from 1987.

However, his first experience of politics was at the tender age of 11 when he was elected on to his school council.

In addition to his KCC duties, he is also Kent's cabinet member for education, learning and skills and a trustee of Age UK Sittingbourne, formally Age Concern.

He said: "I recently got agreement to install new road signs in Grovehurst Road to help guide lorries away from the village centre and have supported causes in the village, with grants to the boxing club and Kemsley school.

"I am passionate about localism, and believe that local people are the best people to run their affairs. I started the debate about a Kemsley Parish Council and expect the residents of Kemsley will get the chance early next year to decide whether they want a parish council or not."

Richard Raycraft (Lab)

Richard Raycraft was born and educated in Sittingbourne and is a former Westlands School pupil.

He lives with his wife Rose in Ufton Lane, Sittingbourne, and they have two teenage daughters.

The 55-year-old is involved in a number of local cultural activities, having an interest in archaeology, classical civilisation and military strategy.

He is an engineer by profession, though he has also been spotted in Kemsley, delivering pizzas part-time.

Mr Raycraft was recently elected as chairman of the Sittingbourne Branch of the Labour Party.

He believes that the Kemsley ward needs to be brought much more closely into the mainstream of community politics in Sittingbourne. "I will give my full attention to the key issues facing the Kemsley ward," he said.

"Such as the impact of the Core Strategy, the completion of the Northern Relief Road, the impact on Kemsley of industrial development around Ridham Dock, the built environment problems in Kemsley Fields and the need to maintain the fight against anti-social behaviour."

Derek Carnell (UKIP)

Derek Carnell has lived in the Kemsley area for 10 years and is married to Pat. They have four children and three grandchildren.

Mr Carnell worked in the water industry as a senior shift engineer for 41 years. He left his role two years ago after taking early retirement.

He is currently on the committee for the Kemsley Active Retirement Association and was a school governor at Kemsley Primary School from 2005 to 2010.

The 61-year-old said: "I do not agree with the Tories' plans for 13,500 new houses in Swale, the local roads and transport will not cope with this increase and the gridlock in and around Sittingbourne will only get worse.

"I am committed to local accountability for the local residents of Kemsley and would like to see Kemsley have its own parish council.

"I would like free car parking to help save our high street from its decline; this would also help tourism and businesses.

"I would like more community patrols around the new country park to reduce vandalism.

"I would like an improved bus service for Kemsley with buses running on a Sunday."

Berick Tomes (Lib Dem)

Berick Tomes has lived in Mons Court, Kemsley, for the past 17 years and is married to Manuella.

He has one daughter, Siobhan, and twin 18-month-old grandsons - Alfie and Spencer.

Mr Tomes is a former Swale councillor.

While on the council, between 1999 and 2002, he worked on the economic development and community service committees.

Up until recently he worked in purchasing and contracts for the Probation Service.

The 47-year-old said: "I am running for Kemsley because I live here. I understand the ward and I see the issues my community faces for myself every day. I know that local people don't care about the party political Punch and Judy show, they just want someone who will stand in their corner and fight for them.

"Because I am local, my campaign is very much focused on the local issues that people raise with me on the doorsteps.

"My goals if elected include fighting for independence for Church Milton - it should be a ward in its own right; 30mph through Grovehurst village and action to reduce speeding elsewhere like Atlee Way, Grovehurst Avenue, and Newman Drive.

"I don't care about party politics. I believe in putting local people before politics."