HCC Candidates

Hertfordshire has been Andrew’s home, playground, and workplace for over 30 years. As a mountain biker and member of local paddling clubs, Andrew regularly enjoys our beautiful countryside and rare chalk streams—natural treasures he is passionate about protecting.

Andrew currently serves on Ware Town Council, where he works to increase diversity, protect community assets, and support inclusive events for all ages and abilities. Andrew is proud to help make Ware a more welcoming and vibrant place to live.

Now, Andrew is standing for County Councillor to take that commitment further. He wants to be a visible, approachable voice for our community—fighting for our environment, supporting local services, and making sure residents are heard.

Andrew cares deeply about where we live and will work hard to protect and improve it for everyone.

George has been a Ware Town and East Herts District Councillor since May 2023. 

He is a passionate advocate for preserving and expanding access to nature. He also believes small changes can make a big difference and that is the job of a councillor to work as a facilitator and advocate for community groups.  

In a time of declining public services and budget cuts, finding creative solutions is the key to success in the role and by providing local people with the tools they need, they can do many of the jobs that make our communities so special. 

George also works to advocate on issues like air quality, road safety, water security and protecting nature in a district surrounded by beautiful green spaces.

Maura has lived in East Herts for 35 years and is a Town and District Councillor in Hertford. 

She was part of the team who developed the Hertford Kingsmead Neighbourhood Plan and as a member of Kingsmead Residents Association, Maura regularly does litter picks and supports local biodiversity projects. 

Maura helps run a food pantry, which was set up with fellow trustees in 2022. Giving out waste food, donated by supermarkets, helps local residents in difficult times and prevents food waste going to landfill. 

As current Chair of East Herts District Council, Maura is honoured to represent the council at formal events such as Remembrance Sunday as well as visits to charities, schools and colleges.

Georgina Schwan has lived in Buntingford for more than three years and works as a teacher specialising in SEN support at Edwinstree Middle School. She volunteers at Buntingford’s Food Bank, at school events and with Friends of Rib and Quin, a local group dedicated to saving our precious chalk streams.

Georgina actively campaigns to save Ward Freman Pool, helps out at Buntingford Cinema and regularly litter picks around the town. She champions Buntingford’s historic character, challenging housing development and lobbying for safer streets. She has pushed the County Council to provide better bus services, vital for our rural community.

Cllr Ben Crystall has lived in Hertford for over 20 years and represents our area on the County, District and Town Councils since first elected in 2019. He is currently the leader of East Herts District Council.

Ben has tackled hundreds of issues for residents in both Kingsmead and Bengeo, from sorting out drains and flooding, clearing up litter and fly tipping, helping with planning queries, or pushing councils for action.

Ben has been a primary school governor, helped set up and run local eco-group Transition Hertford and was one of the founders of Hertford Energy Now, a community-owned organisation that installed solar panels on local schools to save them money whilst cutting carbon.

Lydia was born in Datchworth, returned to build her eco house in the parish 20 years ago, and is well known in her community for walking her talk, and getting stuck in with activities to green her patch, whether that is co-founding the monthly Local Produce stall, doing litter picking or networking with the local school.

She is currently campaigning for a new footpath along one of the busy roads in her neighbourhood, to make it easier for families to walk within the village. 

Passionate about the natural world, Lydia works as a primary forest school leader and grows much of her own fruit and vegetables on her organic smallholding. She has worked with Caroline Lucas, the Association of Green Councillors, and has twice stood for Parliament.

Rachel Carter has lived in Hertford for nearly 30 years and serves on the District and Town Councils. Currently Mayor of Hertford, she works tirelessly to improve Castle and Sele, tackling speeding, pedestrian safety, litter, overgrown hedges and planning issues. 

Rachel championed the Castle Plus Neighbourhood Plan and is fighting to protect the green spaces at County Hall. She has been working with the council to phase out herbicides and on carbon cutting initiatives across the town.

A former teacher and now a Journal Editor, she is a dedicated volunteer, supporting the Oxfam bookshop, local churches, youth football, Citizens Advice and schools. 

Sarah Santos is a dedicated environmental advocate and community organiser standing as the Green Party candidate in Sawbridgeworth. With a background in a diversity of sectors and a passion for local action, Sarah has been actively involved in environmental and social initiatives within the community. 

Sarah is committed to promoting local strategies to strengthen the community while protecting green spaces. She hopes to use her role on Hertfordshire County Council to represent the interests of Sawbridgeworth residents and continue to develop a more sustainable and resilient community, while keeping environmental and social justice at the forefront.

Her collaborative approach and strong leadership skills makes her a compelling choice for voters who are eager for positive change and a greener future.

Kirsty Taylor-Moran has lived in Ware for most of her life and represents our community on Ware Town Council. She has a career in Law and is the founder of Sugar & Scoop, the Zero Waste Refill Shop on Ware High Street.

Kirsty is a member of Ware Independent Traders Association and has built strong ties with our German twin town Wülfrath. She volunteers on Christ Church School’s PSA, is leading the ‘Library of Things’ launch and has successfully campaigned for safer streets and accessible play equipment in Priory Park. 

She chairs the council’s Diversity Working Group, is actively involved in the Lido project and helps residents with planning issues.

Steven Watson has lived just off the Ware Road for nearly seven years and is a District and Town Councillor. Steven has tackled multiple issues for residents locally, from illegal parking, overgrown hedges, litter and help with planning queries. 

Steven is Chair of the District Council Development Management Committee overseeing decisions on planning, and has been lobbying the County Council to improve local cycling and walking routes. He is currently a Trustee of Wodson Park in Ware.

Steven worked at an architecture practice focused on urban design and is a committed volunteer, supporting Ware’s Dickensian Evening, his local community garden, litter picking and cub scouts.