In the run up to the Stroud District Council elections on May 5, the SNJ will be profiling each of the candidates standing in all 27 wards.

Each party candidate will give voters information about who they are, what their pledges are and why you should vote for them.

These profiles will be posted alphabetically by ward over the next week.

Today we feature Cam East, Cam West, Chalford, Coaley and Uley, Dursley and Hardwicke.

Yesterday we had Amberley and Woodchester, Berkeley Vale, Bisley and Cainscross.

Stay posted throughout the week to see your candidates go head to head.

Cam West - There are five candidates standing in this ward. Number of seats – two.

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  • Paul Denney – Labour

I’ve lived in Cam & Dursley almost 20 years and work locally as head of research for Snow Business.

As vice chair of the environment committee I’m proud SDC is the first council in Europe to become carbon neutral, to keep its council houses and build new ones, the first Council in Gloucestershire with a Local Plan - with council tax kept low. If elected, my main challenge will be ensuring that as Cam expands, things are done properly and developers are held to account.

In any spare time I’m often found tinkering with my Land Rover, tending my allotment or cooking for my family.

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  • Julie Douglass - Labour

I’ve lived in Cam and Dursley for 20 years, running my own business in the museums/heritage sector and working at a local primary school. A qualified, experienced teacher, I currently work as a teaching assistant at a comprehensive school, so understand the stresses faced by local schools.

A committed environmental activist, I’m on the Council’s Environment Committee, with a particular interest in the environmental impact of our waste collection systems and the proposed Milfields housing development in Cam. I’ll work hard to ensure any development in Cam is appropriate to the existing residents’ needs. I’m always keen to listen to issues of concern to local residents.

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  • Jessica Tomblin – Conservative

Jessica has lived in Cam with her husband, Simon, for 15 years.

They have young children and run a small business in Cam. Jessica is looking forward to helping to improve the community for local families.

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  • Neil Fletcher – Conservative

Neil Fletcher has been a GP in Cam, Gloucestershire for the last seven years. He would like to do more to improve the lives of local people so please cast your vote for him.

When he is not working he is sometimes to be found at a nearby music concert or playing the piano. He lives locally and is married to Tara.

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  • Neil Buick – Green Party

Neil is a retired Planning Officer and long-standing resident of Stroud District. If elected I will work hard for the building of truly affordable houses and for energy efficient measures to cut heating bills and keep people warm in their homes. I applaud the Council's decision to host vulnerable Syrian refugees in Stroud District and will help ensure that they are made welcome.