Leckhampton is represented at four levels of government:
Leckhampton is part of the Cheltenham parliamentary constituency. In Parliament, Cheltenham’s MP is Conservative Alex Chalk , a London barrister. His Liberal Democrat opposite number is former local journalist, campaigner and parliamentary candidate Max Wilkinson who came within a thousand votes of taking the seat in 2019. Alex Chalk can be contacted at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA and on 020 7219 3000. You can read more about his voting record on the independent website theyworkforyou.com.
- Gloucestershire County Council is responsible for road and pavement maintenance and traffic management, highways advice on local planning decisions, on-street parking and parking charges, schools, social services and libraries among other local services. The Leckhampton and Warden Hill Division is represented by Conservative Emma Nelson, elected in 2021 just 104 votes ahead of Lib Dem Iain Dobie. The council and its services are currently run by a Conservative administration. You can read more about Liberal Democrat plans for the county and the county council here.
On Cheltenham Borough Council, Leckhampton ward is represented by two councillors: Liberal Democrat Martin Horwood and Conservative Emma Nelson. Martin was elected in an extremely close election fight between the Tories and LibDems in May 2018 with a majority of just 13 votes and was re-elected in 2022. The next borough election is expected in May 2024 following likely local government boundary changes. Whatever the shape of our new ward it is likely to be another close contest between Lib Dems and Conservatives.
Martin can be contacted on Cheltenham 216995 or by emailing martin@martinhorwood.net. Cheltenham Borough Council is responsible for our parks and gardens, housing, recycling and rubbish collections, local car parks, environmental health and most local planning decisions and has been run by the Liberal Democrats since 2010.
- Leckhampton with Warden Hill Parish Council includes ward members from both Warden Hill and Leckhampton – including Martin who is also a parish councillor – and is involved in local planning decisions, local footpaths, play areas and green spaces. The Parish is also actively monitoring traffic and air pollution and is preparing its own Neighbourhood Plan to guide future development in the area. There are councillors of several parties on the Parish Council but all sit as independents. It’s also on Facebook. And don’t believe the Vicar of Dibley – it is an elected neighbourhood local government body and nothing to do with vicars! The 2022 election was declared uncontested as the number of candidates didn’t fill all the vacancies. Councillors may be co-opted to the vacant positions so if you’re interested in playing your part, email the parish clerk for more details.