RESIDENTS will be going to the polls to choose their councillor for the vacant Cornwall Council Colan and St Columb Minor seat on Thursday, December 18.

Reform candidate Heinz Glanville, Independent John Fitter, Lib Dem Geoff Brown, Conservative Mark Formosa, Green Party candidate Frances Williamson, Independent Nigel May and the Labour Party’s Stuart Hinde will be vying for votes.

The St Columb Minor and Colan Cornwall Council by-election will be the first serious test of political sentiment since May. The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Reform councillor Christine Parsonage in October due to “ongoing medical reasons.”

The candidates have outlined their backgrounds to help the electorate choose who they want to back to represent them at Cornwall Council.

John Fitter

I am delighted to again have the opportunity to represent the community of Colan, St Columb Minor, Whipsiderry and Tregurrian. Having had the privilege of working as your local Cornwall Councillor over a period of 16 years up to May 2025, with the exception of St Columb Minor which was four years, having been elected to the new unitary authority in May of 2009.

“Until I retired, I had worked for 42 years at the Great Western Hotel where I was the manager. Prior to retiring I was a member of Newquay Town Council and had the honour of being its mayor for one calendar year.

“I have lived at St Columb Major, along with my wife Jan, for the last 37 years. We have five children, who all attended St Mawgan Primary School, Richard and Tamsen then chose to go to Tretherras School, while Guy , Lowenna, and Simon opted for Treviglas for their secondary and sixth form education. It was at Treviglas that I was privileged to serve, not only as a Governor, but also as chair of governors for a number of years.

“Our children have, between them all, made us proud grandparents with the gift of 12 lovely grandchildren. Richard and Lowenna live and work in the London area with their families, Richard as a chartered accountant and project manager and Lowenna as a science teacher and lab technician. Tamsen lives in France as a mum and is looking forward to starting training as a nursery teacher. Guy and Simon both live with their families in Australia, Guy is also a teacher on Thursday Island, while Simon is a Police Officer in Ballarat.

“I was born in the Parish of St Merryn, ended my schooling at Wadebridge, got married in St Mawgan, and worked in Newquay. Am I local enough to be your elected Cornwall Councillor? Only you can decide. What I do ask is, regardless of who you vote for, please support our democratic process and exercise your right to vote.

Geoff Brown

“I’m Newquay born and bred. I was a local primary school headteacher for 30 years before standing for public office.

“Coming from a seafaring family, I was a RNLI volunteer and led the local Coastguard team for 25 years. I have performed more than 1,000 rescues and twice was awarded the Coastguard’s Commendation.

“I previously spent 14 years as a councillor on Cornwall Council taking responsibility for the fire service and the transport portfolio. In these roles I pioneered Tri-service officers in local communities, introduced free parking after 4pm in council car parks, removed the time restriction on the use of bus passes, and pushed for upgrades on the Newquay branch line. I also worked to deliver the Saints Trail and I’m currently vice chair of a local group pushing to reinstate the Newquay to Goonhavern section of the trail cut by the last Tory administration of Cornwall Council.

“I’m committed to fighting for the local NHS in Newquay. My main goal is to help restore full service to Newquay’s hospital and support expansion of local GP services.

“I have the experience needed to get things done for local people in these tough times.

“I’ve spent my life serving the community. I’ll continue to fight for better opportunities for our young people, to protect our NHS, to improve local transport services, and to keep pushing for genuinely affordable homes for local people in need. And I’ll always stand up for our beautiful Cornish environment, protecting it for future generations.”

Mark Formosa

"I’m pleased to be selected as the Conservative candidate. Our community faces real challenges, and we need a councillor who will take action, not make excuses. I will stand up for local residents, focus on practical solutions, and bring energy, commitment, and accountability to this role from day one. Cornwall deserves strong, practical leadership — and I will hold the Liberal Democrat and Independent administration to account wherever they fall short.”

Stuart Hinde

“I’m 41-years-old and I live in Indian Queens with my wife and daughter.

“I’m originally from Wolverhampton and moved to Cornwall in 2015. I spent eight years working at Cornwall Council as a procurement officer working on projects across the Duchy including the Spaceport, St Austell A30 Link Road and tendering for the leisure centre operator.

“I now work as a consultant for other local government and NHS authorities. My aim is to use this experience to bring much needed commercial challenge to the Council’s decision-making process.”

Heinz Glanville

“I am delighted to be standing as the Reform UK candidate for the St Columb Minor and Colan ward in this by-election. “I was born on Porth Bean Road in St Columb Minor and raised there with my family. My father, Jack, was a familiar face in Newquay life for many years. He helped run Harbour Sports and campaigned hard for an Olympic-size swimming pool for the town, an idea that sadly didn’t come to fruition. We are a proper Cornish family and have lived in the village for generations. After all that time, I feel it is now my turn to give something back to the community that has given us so much.

“The ward was previously represented by someone who lived some distance away, which naturally made day-to-day engagement more difficult. This time round, I believe I am the only candidate standing who actually lives within the St Columb Minor and Colan ward boundary itself.

“Living right here in the heart of the ward is essential, if a councillor is to stay properly engaged day in, day out; it is only by being part of the community that one can feel a truly genuine, vested and passionate interest in its future.

“I love this village and the surrounding area. Change is needed in places, of course, but it must be the right sort of progress - progress that listens properly to local people and involves genuine consultation with residents. If you lend me your support, I will do everything I can to ensure your voices are heard clearly at Cornwall Council and that decisions reflect what matters most to us here.

“Thank you for considering me. I’d be honoured to represent our community.”

Frances Williamson

“I have made Newquay my home for more than 10 years, bringing up my young family in the town. I’m passionate about strengthening the areas community and future.

“I have served as a town councillor since 2021, where I’ve brought my experience in collaboration and communications to local issues, ensuring residents’ voices are heard and acted upon. I have sat on the planning and licensing committee, supporting local businesses and residents’ housing plans, affordable housing schemes and campaigning against over development and other planning applications that would not be beneficial for the local community and environment such as the Whipsiderry Cliffs proposal.

“I also sit on the community and tourism committee, supporting initiatives to bring positive change to the town and make decisions that encourage and promote economic, commercial, volunteer, resident and tourist involvement through proactive community engagement, event management and delivery of library and information services to meet the needs of a diverse community.

“I also work with the Boardmasters team to ensure that this key event for Newquay and the surrounding areas brings as many local benefits as possible and works for and with the local community.

“St Columb Minor and Colan need public transport improvements that work for residents, not just for bus companies’ bottom line. I am already working with fellow Greens to explore a ‘park and train’ service from St Columb Road to reduce traffic through Quintrell Downs, Colan and St Columb Minor, making our community traffic free and cleaner. The St Columb Minor and Colan ward is a diverse community with different needs that must be supported by Cornwall Council.

“My focus will be on making sure it grows sustainably, with opportunities for young people, affordable housing, and a future that balances tourism with protecting what makes our home special.”

“My top priorities are reducing roadworks by making utility companies work together, preventing unnecessary road closures and the resulting traffic chaos.

“Taking action to insulate all council owned housing, saving on energy costs and creating warmer homes. Focus funding on running basic services better, saving people time and hassle and improving access. Defend financial support for those who need it most, helping with the cost of living crisis.

“Promote active travel and improve public transport links, to ensure we get all get to where we want to go, when we need to get there. Take action on anti-social behaviour in our community, to ensure where we live is a safe and enjoyable place for all. Ensure good access to green spaces and improve our parks, for positive health and fun.”

Nigel May declined to provide a report.