"I believe that communities deserve the highest level of security, safety and service, and I am committed to providing just that,” Claire Seymour comments. “I will bring a fresh perspective and a strong stance on issues that affect everyone. My priority is to keep Dorset communities safe, and my plan revolves around my eight pledges.”
Claire’s eight pledges include tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence, preventing crime and anti-social behaviour, building inclusive communities, supporting victims and witnesses, protecting those within our community most at risk of harm, supporting police officers, staff and volunteers, investing in innovation, and creating a sustainable police force with a focus on improving financial efficiency.
In her current role, Claire is the strategic lead for the Anti-Social Behaviour Service for a large housing association, and works closely with partners across the Police, the NHS, community mental health teams, local authorities, social services, the fire service, probation services and charities to keep communities safe. The role has given her valuable experience for this nomination as she explains: “I provide solutions and guidance to customers, stakeholders and communities to resolve complex anti-social behaviour cases, ensuring safeguarding is a priority and to deliver community safety strategies. I provide a voice for the under-represented and under-served and bring together public services to deal with the challenges that communities face every day.”
Claire has a long background in local volunteering, and has gained valuable experience with Victim Support, Hampshire Police as a Police Special Constable, Dorset Police as a Media Tone Analyst, and Together We Can Volunteer for Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole. She currently sits on Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board, South West Domestic Abuse Forum, Dorset's Domestic Abuse Forum, and one of Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner's Scrutiny Panels.
“As the Green Party Police and Crime Commissioner Candidate, I'm here to work with the Police and partner agencies to help bring about positive change. I want to utilise my skills in understanding communities, housing, and policing to support and represent the local community and I also want to bring a modern approach to managing and governing public services. My background and education in Public Services inspired me to be a fair, transparent voice to represent all people, so I'm here to listen and take action to help drive forward improvements that can make a real impact on keeping our area a safe place to live."
To find out more about Claire Seymour and her eight pledges, or to get in touch, visit clairefordorset.green.
PCCs are elected representatives who are responsible for setting out police force budgets, ensuring the force is efficient and effective, and providing a link between communities and police.
The Green Party has selected Ben Pantling as its candidate for the BCP Council by-election in Canford Heath ward, Poole, to take place on Thursday 6th May.
Ben Pantling has been a resident of Poole for over ten years, and has lived in the wider Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole conurbation for nearly 20 years. He has three children in Poole schools, and he is glad to have made Poole his home for his family.
Like all Green Party members he's passionate about the environment and preserving the planet for future generations. He also enjoys the lack of a party whip, which means if elected he doesn’t have to follow party policy - he can evolve his own opinions, and consider all needs on the matters that affect Poole and Canford Heath.
Ben works in operations for a premium historic Poole brand. He wants the history and cultural melting pot of Poole as a port town to be preserved in the new partnership at council level with Bournemouth and Christchurch.
Ben is sports & fitness fan - he has participated in many sports. These prominently include football, playing in the local Bournemouth Saturday & Sunday leagues for almost 15 years, and rugby, where he is currently a volunteer coach for Poole RFC Junior section. He is running his third marathon this year, moving to running as his primary sport once he hung up his boots.
Ben's email address: benjamin.pantling@bcp.greenparty.org.uk
This by-election is one of two in BCP Council on 6th May, and follows the sad death of Liberal Democrat Councillor Pete Parrish last year. The exceptional delay has been a result of the Coronavirus Act.
Find out more
