Stephen Vitkovitch
My name is Stephen Vitkovitch, and I am proud to be your Green Party Candidate for College Ward.
As an HM Treasury official up until standing for election, I've worked in central Government for over 10 years, but now want to focus my energy on my local community. I'm standing for the Green Party because I believe environmentally friendly solutions are the right ones in the long-term, and that our area would benefit from fresh, innovative thinking. I would be proud to use my policy experience to hold the Council to account for its approach, and advocate for green solutions.
I'm passionate about local culture, curating the music offer at a large local brewery since 2022, and giving University Of Gloucestershire Music undergrads a chance to be involved in and play at significant events, alongside internationally known artists. I'm also part of Cheltenham Improvisers Orchestra. I also volunteer as a parent reader at my son's local authority run school, and enjoy listening to the children in his class, and have organised events that have raised over £60,000 for a food bank since 2017.
Our council is dominated by the Liberal Democrats. We need councillors who listen to local residents, get things done, and can challenge the council when it gets things wrong, promoting transparency. The Liberal Democrat led Council committed up to £95m for the 'Golden Valley' development in West Cheltenham - that's nearly £800 a person. A lack of opposition can lead to bad decisions: we need robust opposition to scrutinise that and ensure transparency, value for money, and that sustainable choices are made. In Chetlenham's most recent By-election, the Greens beat the Lid Dems and the Conservatives. Cheltenham has been run by the Lib Dems unchallenged for almost 15 years now, it is time for change and new thinking.
