An Independent Voice for Ashley Green

Simon Fidler is standing for Parish Councillor as a non-party-affiliated candidate, focused on transparency, open communication and fair representation—especially on planning matters that affect every neighbour.

  • Transparent decisions
  • Two-way communication
  • Listen to all voices
  • Protect what we value
Portrait of Simon Fidler

About Simon

Simon has recently retired from a long career in business leadership across financial services and compliance, bringing a practical, accountable approach to decision-making. He and his wife Paulette have made Ashley Green their home and have lived in the village for 11 years. He’s active in village life—supporting local events, walking the footpaths with their white Maltese dog Dolly, and enjoying our green spaces.

Professionally, Simon is an accomplished leader with significant supervisory, risk, regulatory and financial experience—skills that translate directly to thorough oversight and clear governance in a parish council setting and ensuring that the best use is made of our local funds. He also has experience dealing with public bodies and is able to interpret rules and regulations, ensuring they are practically implemented—useful for assessing planning applications, Bucks Local Plan and the Ashley Green Neighbourhood Plan. He is looking forward to being given the opportunity to represent all the residents of Ashley Green and Whelpley Hill.

Independent

No party whip—decisions based on what’s best for Ashley Green.

Approachable

Happy to meet any resident to listen and help.

Experienced

Decades of business leadership, compliance and financial oversight.

Local

Committed to protecting the character of our parish and surrounding hamlets.

What Simon stands for

  • Absolute transparency in how planning decisions are made.
  • Regular, open communication so residents aren’t surprised by proposals.
  • Fair representation of all villagers’ views.

Priorities for Ashley Green

Planning is complex—and important. Done well, it lets us shape the right kind of development for our parish. Done badly, it divides communities. Simon will work to make the process clear, inclusive and constructive.

Neighbourhood Plan: get it right, together

Ashley Green is developing a Neighbourhood Plan. If done properly, it can identify where development is appropriate and protect what we value. If done poorly, it risks conflict and low support. Simon will champion full transparency throughout and meaningful involvement for every resident.

  • Clear visibility of decisions and evidence.
  • Plain-English updates throughout the process.
  • Opportunities for all to review options and give feedback.

Representing villagers’ views—every time

Simon will meet any resident who wants to be heard and will document and present your views at council. Alongside face-to-face conversations, he’ll maintain an online forum and an email update list so nobody is left out of the loop.

  • Open inbox and village drop-ins.
  • Online discussion space for planning matters.
  • Regular email bulletins and calls for comment.
  • Supporting environmental responsibility, from tackling potholes to advocating for quieter, safer roads and traffic calming.
  • Protecting our rural character and green spaces, including safeguarding our fields, views, wildlife corridors and footpaths.

Being alert to changing planning pressures

With Buckinghamshire’s Local Plan under consultation and wider debates about Green Belt and so-called “grey belt” land, development pressures are evolving. Simon will keep residents informed about applications and policy changes and will prioritise the parish’s voice in responses.

Shining a light on the council

Parish councils exist to serve the community. Simon will advocate open meetings, accessible documents, and clear explanations of decisions—encouraging more residents to attend and take part.

  • Ensure the parish precept is spent wisely and visibly.
  • Seek grants and external funding to reduce pressure on residents.

Planning Watch

Coming soon – this service will go live if Simon is elected.

Planning Watch is Simon’s proposal for a simple email update service, so residents are alerted when new planning applications arrive or planning rules change – and can quickly share their views. Once live, it will support the Parish Council’s role by making community input easier and more representative.

Planning Watch is not yet live. Email addresses entered here are not stored or processed – this is a demonstration of how the service will work if Simon is elected.

How Planning Watch Will Work

Planning Watch is designed to bring clarity and early warning on planning issues that affect Ashley Green and Whelpley Hill. It will launch if Simon is elected.

  • Email alerts whenever a new planning application is submitted for the parish.
  • Plain-English summaries explaining what each application is, where it is, and what it might mean.
  • Quick feedback polls so residents can share their view easily and inform Simon’s representation at council.
  • Advance notice of major planning changes, including updates to Bucks Council’s Local Plan and the Ashley Green Neighbourhood Plan.
  • Online discussion space where villagers can ask questions and stay in the loop.
  • A record of community sentiment that Simon can use to challenge or support applications based on what residents actually want.
Coming soon – Planning Watch will go live if Simon is elected.

Events & Key Dates

Election Day — 4 December

Voting takes place on Wednesday 4 December at the Memorial Hall, Ashley Green. Every vote matters — please take part in choosing your next Parish Councillor.

Village Drop-ins

Simon will hold informal conversations at the village hall and pub—times to be announced here and via the Planning Watch list.

Get in touch

This contact form is a preview of how residents will be able to get in touch with Simon on council business. It will go live if Simon is elected. For now, it is not collecting or sending any information.

Coming soon – this form is not active yet and does not send or store messages.

This is a personal, independent campaign website and is not affiliated with any political party.