Former Assistant Chief Fire Officer Steve Skivens has been chosen by Plaid Cymru to contest the by-election in Penyrheol ward, Caerphilly caused by the death of dedicated councillor Anne Collins. It will take place on Thursday, August 1.
Mr Skivens is a school governor at Hendredenny Primary school, a member of the Council of St John (Gwent), and vice chairperson of the board of trustees at Caerphilly Citizens Advice Bureau.
He worked for the fire service over 33 years, firstly with Mid Glamorgan and then South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, before retiring in 2010.
Mr Skivens, who is chair of Penyrheol, Trecenydd and Energlyn Community Council, said: “I am honoured to have been chosen by the ward party to contest the by-election caused by Anne’s untimely passing. Anne was hugely respected for her tireless work for the community and I want to ensure her fantastic legacy continues.
“Anne was much more than a colleague but a friend, confidant and guide to me in my work in the community. I miss her as a dear friend. I’m very pleased to have the support of Anne’s son, John and sister, Councillor Margaret Sargent.
“I’ve lived in the ward nearly all my life and my philosophy has always been to try and make tomorrow better than today for all.
“In Plaid I have always found people committed, aware of local issues and hard working to improve our area and its conditions.”
Penyrheol councillor and South Wales East AM Lindsay Whittle said: “Anne was a true champion for her community who right up to her passing was campaigning for a modern surgery and chemist to be established on a more suitable site in the area.
“I’m proud of what Plaid has achieved in the ward including the new £6m Cwm Ifor Primary School and a new school hall at Hendre Junior. I’m delighted that we have a candidate in Steve who will continue Anne’s legacy.”
Outside politics Steve, who is married, has a 14-month-old son, Dafydd and three grown-up children and lives in Energlyn, enjoys hill walking, canal boating, cycling, playing squash, cooking and DIY. He is currently learning Welsh.
Reads as if he will be an excellent candidate, and he is from the ward which is a good start. Though my main concern is will he have the time to be a councillor? He has a 14 month old child, we all know how much hard work young children can be. In the article it says he is "a school governor at Hendredenny Primary school, a member of the Council of St John (Gwent), and vice chairperson of the board of trustees at Caerphilly Citizens Advice Bureau." and "chair of Penyrheol, Trecenydd and Energlyn Community Council." All of these are previous commitments of his, therefore I just question can he add the duties of a County Councillor to this list?
Seems to be a good local candidate living within the ward. I have a concern though that Steve Skivens is spreading himself too thinly. "Mr Skivens is a school governor at Hendredenny Primary school, a member of the Council of St John (Gwent), and vice chairperson of the board of trustees at Caerphilly Citizens Advice Bureau." "Mr Skivens, who is chair of Penyrheol, Trecenydd and Energlyn Community Council." "Outside politics Steve, who is married, has a 14-month-old son, Dafydd and three grown-up children and lives in Energlyn, enjoys hill walking, canal boating, cycling, playing squash, cooking and DIY. He is currently learning Welsh." A young family takes alot of time up, plus juggling all his existing commitments makes me question can he really take up the role of County Councillor effectively and put the interests of the residents first. I imagine something would have to give having so many different roles within the community, therefore would it be fair for either Steve Skivens himself or for the residents of our ward for Steve Skivens to be our County Councillor? Will it be too much for him to take on with his preceding commitments?