On the 5th of December, Splott residents will vote to elect a third ward councillor to join Labour councillors Ed Stubbs and Huw Thomas in representing Splott, Tremorfa and Pengam Green.
To read more about why a bi-election is being held in Splott, and who is standing, click here.
Inksplott has invited all of the candidates to share their reasons for standing and a little bit more about themselves in an interview.
To start us off, I’m pleased to introduce the Labour Party candidate, Anny Anderson.
Inksplott: Hello! Thank you for being interviewed for Inksplott. Please tell us who you are and which party you represent.
Anny: Hello, my name is Anny Anderson and I am standing as the candidate for Welsh Labour, following the death of my mother, Councillor Jane Henshaw.
Inksplott: Why did you become a member of that party and for how long have you been a member?
Anny: I first joined the party as a teenager in 1997. I was raised in a very politically engaged family and was taught the importance of voting and participating in order to have your say and make your voice heard. The Labour Party aligns with my values, as I believe in social justice, equality and workers rights.
Inksplott: Can you tell us a bit about you and Splott? Do you live here? How long have you lived here? Why did you move here?
Anny: I have lived in Splott for over 11 years, and it is where my children were born and attend school- but I started volunteering here even longer than that. The wonderful people I met when volunteering had a big impact on my decision to move here as they showed me what a warm, welcoming community Splott is!
Inksplott: Please list your top three ‘successes in Splott’.
Anny: My first success was MilkSplott. I had been attending the local NHS led breastfeeding group at the Church on Splott Road, which is now home to Oasis, but it was closed due to budget cuts. So I trained as breastfeeding peer supporter and started MilkSplott Breastfeeding Peer Support Group so I could pass on the fantastic support I had received as a new mother.
My second success was the first time I attended a Keep Splott Tidy litter picking event – it has been a great way to meet fellow neighbours, get my steps and keep the streets clean.
My third success is with Tremorfa Parkrun, of which I have been on the committee and a volunteer since it started in Tremorfa in 2019. I love hearing local and worldwide visitors gush at how brilliant the park is, and cheering on runners is such a positive way to start a Saturday morning.
Inksplott: Please list the three things that you wish you could have done but they didn’t quite happen and why.
Anny: I wish I could have kept MilkSplott Breastfeeding group in Splott but the roof was leaking so we had to relocate. I am still proud that we were able to keep the group running, even if not in Splott.
I wish that I had won the Aviva Community Fund for Ysgol Glan Morfa PTA to fund school playground equipment- we came really close in the votes but didn’t quite get there. On the plus side, we did get a small participation donation.
I wish I could have looked after my mum at home but she was too unwell. I am grateful to the Marie Curie Hospice for the care they gave her, and the support they provided my family.
Inksplott: Please list your top five commitments to Splott if you are to be elected. What are you going to do for us?
Anny:
- I will continue to work to bring investments in to our community facilities- such as green spaces, schools, and transport links.
- I will deliver on improvements to Splott Park and work to make our area greener.
- I will work with local police to enhance safety measures in the area and tackle anti-social behaviour.
- I will continue supporting our community volunteer groups.
- Listen to, and fight for, the residents of Splott, Tremorfa and Pengam Green.
Inksplott: Please tell us why people should vote for you.
Anny: I have lived in Splott for over a decade and it’s where I am raising my family and, as you can see, I am invested and committed to this community. Of course, my Mum is a big reason as to why I am standing to be a councillor – I want to continue her legacy and make my own contribution to the community. But sentimentality alone is not enough. As well as my volunteering in the community, I have 25 years experience working in housing, waste management and education so I have the skills to support residents with their casework – a very important, but largely unseen role of a councillor.
I am incredibly proud of what Labour has achieved for Splott, Tremorfa and Pengam Green from tens of millions of pounds being invested in Willows High, Moorland Primary, Ysgol Glan Morfa, Baden Powell, and St Albans Primary, to bringing investment in our parks and green spaces.
Before her death, my Mum was involved in the regeneration of Splott Park, which will be bringing new equipment for children of all ages, including accessible and natural play space. Being a former teacher, my Mum was passionate about natural play spaces for children and this is a part of her legacy I will continue for children in Splott.
The Maltings Park is another excellent example of this with a skate park, natural play park, multi-use games area, Seren in the Community offering free weekly sessions and now awarded a prestigious Green Flag – this is exactly what my Mum had envisioned for our community. I will continue her vision of a green, fairer, child friendly city and Splott.
If elected, I pledge to work with the police to tackle anti-social behaviour and improve community safety, I will fight for resources to make our area greener and cleaner, and more than anything, I will listen to you, my neighbours, and be your voice.
Inksplott: How can the people of Splott get in touch with you and tell you what they would like?
Anny: I would love residents to contact me ahead of the election and you can find me at:
X – @madebyanny
Facebook – SplottTremorfaandPengamGreenLabour
Email – contact@splottward.com
Web – www.splottward.com
Inksplott: Please tell us a funny story about Splott.
Anny: One morning I was walking to my Mum’s house and two camels were being wheeled up Splott Road!
Inksplott: This is your free space to tell us anything you like. Off you go!
Anny: I’ll end on a fun fact about me: I have 96 volunteering credits with parkrun (hoping to hit my 100 milestone on Christmas Day) but have only run Tremorfa parkrun once!
Thank you Anny. Good luck in the election.