Steve Evans was asked to answer this question- You should vote for me in the Upper Cwmbran election because– and this is his answer.

You should vote for me in the Upper Cwmbran and Thornhill election because…

I’m Steve Evans and I’m standing in Upper Cwmbran and Thornhill alongside Lucy Williams, and our Community Council candidates Leanne Lloyd-Tolman, Gareth Lloyd-Tolman and Sean Wharton. I believe we make a great team with a clear, cohesive vision for ensuring our area continues to thrive.

I’ve lived in Upper Cwmbran for 20+ year. I started out as a school Governor before serving as a Community Councillor for 4 years. I’ve been a County Borough Councillor for 5 years and remain passionate about championing local issues and causes, especially in these uncertain times. I will always strive to ensure our local voices are represented and heard at every level.

The past two years have been extremely challenging. At the onset of the pandemic it became very clear that the area needed its own Foodbank. I worked quickly with my Labour colleagues, and local volunteers, to establish one at Thornhill Community Centre guaranteeing residents could access vital food packages and prescriptions when needed.

As well as manning the hub, with an army of trusted volunteers, we also delivered food packages and medication to hundreds of local residents in need. From these hurried beginnings, the Foodbank has gone from strength to strength and I’m still very much involved collecting weekly donations and delivering where needed.

Ensuring businesses and organisations survived the financial pressure of Covid added another very pressing layer to the impact of the pandemic. I prioritised supporting local businesses, community groups and organisations throughout. Helping to complete grant funding and covid relief paperwork to enable them to stay afloat.

I’m proud to be a part of my community and to be able to contribute to many local enterprises and organisations.

I’m currently the Chair of Thornhill Community Centre where I support local events, functions and groups to deliver much needed services direct to local residents of all ages. I also have close links with both local primary schools having served as a Governor on both Woodlands Community Primary and Pontnewydd Primary for many years. I also chair West Pontnewydd Scout Group.

I have used my links with various organisations to bring positive schemes and help direct to the area. Thornhill and Upper Cwmbran were used as a pilot area by the South Wales Fire Service’s Stay Safe in The Home Scheme which proved so successful it has now been launched nationally!

The cost of living crisis is obviously a huge concern for many households but the Labour team in Upper Cwmbran and Thornhill are poised ready and waiting to support our residents through these tough times in any way possible. I would urge you to use your all your Votes for your Labour candidates on May 5th.

Click here to read a full list of all the candidates standing in the Torfaen County Borough Council elections on Thursday 5 May 2022.