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 Severn, Stonehouse, Stroud Central, Farmhill and Paganhill, Slade and Trinity.

Look back at previous articles throughout the week for wards A-R.

Stroud Central - There are three candidates standing in this ward. Number of seats – one.

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  • Caroline Baird – Green Party

Caroline is standing in Central ward to replace sitting Green councillor Kevin Cranston.

I live in Stroud and I'm a long-time community activist and mother of three, with my youngest child still at school in Stroud. As a family, we are active in the local community and proud to have used solar energy at home, run a car on used vegetable oil, and grown our own food.

Before moving to Stroud, my family and I lived overseas for a number of years, where I worked as a lawyer and a teacher. I have also owned my own business and spent many years working in the charity sector.

I first joined the Green Party in 1986. I'm particularly interested in issues around waste food, traffic congestion and improving community services.

I believe that we need to ensure that local economies and businesses are thriving; people are able to adequately heat their homes and lower their bills; our roads are made safer for all road users; our countryside is protected; recycling rates are increased; and waste is kept out of landfills.

I look forward to being elected as a councillor and helping make positive contributions to the local community. I will work hard to represent the views and wishes of the Stroud Central electorate, implementing policies which protect local people and the things they value.

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  • Marcus Shaw - Conservative

I am Marcus Shaw and I am your Conservative candidate for Stroud Central. I am 24 and work in the ward at Ecotricity as a Customer Services Assistant and have lived in the Stroud District for the last 12 years.

I have completed a degree in Human Geography and International Development and have ambitions to become an Environmental Consultant. I have core values in the environment and have a key interest in sustainable technologies.

I am not a career politician, nor your conventional candidate but rather a candidate that simply wishes to make a positive impact in the local community by keeping our council honest and ensuring that your council tax is spent sensibly and more wisely.

I am determined to do my best to ensure all the people of Central Stroud have the best possible representation on the District Council.

If you vote for me on Thursday May 5 I will ensure the political decisions made are in the interest of everyone. Trust me with your vote and I will give you hard work, honesty and dedication.

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  • Skeena Rathor – Labour

Mother of three and an active local community member, Skeena lives in Stroud. She has a degree in Public Sector Management.

Skeena teaches in the health sector and is a key organiser of Stroud Positive Living Group and other local charity initiatives.

She runs a popup ‘Politics Kitchen’ at Stroud Market – where she is listening to the views of local people who’d like to have a conversation about the heart of local and national politics.

She would like to serve as your councillor because she believes that with our local Labour Party, we can help Stroud Central to thrive.

We can protect and enliven our local public services, housing and environment.