Over the coming weeks, ANHCA will be speaking to its candidates for the upcoming local elections here in Rushmoor. Today, we've been chatting to Steve Harden, who is running for Fernhill Ward. Make sure to follow Rushmoor Conservatives on Facebook to ensure you stay up to date and support Steve in his fight for Fernhill in the weeks ahead!
- Why do you want to be a Councillor?
I have always loved and cared about my childhood home. I moved away from Rushmoor for a short while after struggling to get on the housing ladder, but I missed the area too much - I soon made a quick return! It’s this passion for my local community that is my main driver for wanting to be a Councillor.
But I’m also motivated by other issues. My sister has struggled with ADHD, AUTISM and PTSD since being a young child. This has forced my mum to relocate several times across the country with my sister to fight for the care she needed from authorities, which sometimes left us with nowhere to live. My family and I felt we had no support, nowhere to turn. It was the consistent care we found from the NHS that gave us the bedrock of support we needed. This support was reinforced to me in 2022, when I nearly lost my life (it’s a long story!).
I came to realise that I could be the support to others. I could help those who have gone through the same difficulties my family and I have faced. I can be the voice for local people, as I have and still breath the issues that most concern them. Being elected a Cllr will give me the opportunity to give back, as those NHS staff did for me.
- What is your link to Rushmoor and the Ward you’re standing for?
I have lived within Rushmoor & Fernhill most of my life, as Fernhill is where my close family grew up. I went to school in Fernhill and crossed the curly bridge every day to go to 6th form! Simply put, Fernhill is part and parcel of my life. I have lived most of my life on Clayton Road but more recently I have been living at Chapel Lane where my grandparents have lived for many years.
- What issue do you think is most important for your Ward?
Speeding - I see the problem with speeding every single day in Fernhill. We need someone who grew up in the Ward, to fight for new measures and greater reinforcement of speeding limits. I know speeding needs to be stopped. The risk it presents is far too high.
Chapel Lane Parking - We need more parking for our local shops. I have put forward a proposal on how this can be delivered. Residents need solutions not just words.
Litter & Flytipping - I have already been strongly campaigning on this issue. We need Fernhill to be a cleaner and enjoyable place to live, not somewhere that becomes besotted by litter on our streets. As a local resident I share the concerns of this issue which is why I have been supporting the new measures announced by cabinet recently, including new signage and community litter picks. Come along and give us a hand if you’re free.
- What are some of the other developments / changes you’d like to bring to your Ward if elected?
Although I am a proud to have grown up in Fernhill, it pains me to see so much uncleanliness in the Ward. This is something I would address as a priority.
My aim would be to make Fernhill the best ward in Rushmoor. To do that, I would talk to as many residents as possible to find out what they feel need changing. That would help guide to the issues that matter most to the local community.
- Describe yourself in 5 words!
Compassionate, caring, hardworking, listens and understanding.
