“I’ve seen it from both sides of the fence” – Interview with Jonathan Chilvers

Jonathan Chilvers is a Green Party candidate running for the Leamington Brunswick ward in today’s local elections. Mr Chilvers graduated from Warwick University ten years ago with a degree in History and Politics. Originally from Worthing, Sussex, he went back to work in his home town and London after graduation, before returning to Leamington Spa in 2004, where he has lived with his wife ever since. The Boar spoke to Mr Chilvers to find out what his plans are for students living in Leamington and why he thinks Warwick students deserve his vote.

Last December, first-year English and French student Archie Wellbelove was killed walking home from a night out after being hit by a taxi, which some alleged was caused by Warwick County Council’s street light switch-off . What is your view on the switch-off and what will you do to protect students walking home late at night.

“I do think more generally that there need to be more creative solutions, though I accept that the County Council needs to save money. It’s not the government’s fault that they are imposing cuts.”

Mr Chilvers suggested switching off every other street light, rather than all the lights in one street could be an effective compromise.

“I’ve spoken to lots of people who work night shifts or are going out early in the morning, and students who may well be out late at night definitely come into that group. So obviously they’re one of the groups who are going to notice change in the street lights the most. They do need to save money but people do need to feel safe.

“When the lights are off people feel they’ve lost a bit of civilisation.”

A recent investigation by the Boar found that hygiene standards at Leamington takeaways were severely lacking. Several takeaways even received ‘zero star’ food safety ratings from the Food Standards Agency (FSA). What would you do about this?

“It’s a District Council issue and I’ll be elected to County Council so I wouldn’t have direct influence, but I would be quite happy to publicise that fact.”

Mr Chilvers called the ‘zero star’ food safety ratings “completely unacceptable”.

“I would be inclined to make them display their [FSA] sticker. If there’s a sign in the window saying ‘0 out of 5’ you wouldn’t go there.”

He said he would push the District Council and the FSA to do more.

The relationship between students and locals in Leamington has often been strained. In March, Warwick District Council refused planning permission for 72 new student bedsits in Chapel Street after protests by residents. What would you do to promote greater harmony between students and locals? Are there too many students in Leamington?

Contrary to the opinion of some Leamington residents, Mr Chilvers said he does not think there are too many students in Leamington.

“I think there is an issue sometimes when there’s one particular street or area which has too many short-term residents in it,” he said. “We want shorter term and longer term residents to get to know each other and look each other in the eye.

“If issues do arise, it’s much easier to sort out a problem if you know your neighbour and you’ve been on good terms.”

Mr Chilvers hosted a BBQ on Tachbrook Street on 30 September last year to try to get more students and residents to meet each other.

“I got so many stories about how long-term residents support and look after their student neighbours. Aside from the media image of people not getting on, we actually found loads of good stories about where people do get on and we want to encourage that and find more ways for students and long-term residents to mix. Then they stop being a ‘student’ and become a person that they can get on with.

“There’s been a real increase in students doing community work and I’ve really noticed an increase in the number of students getting involved in Leamington. I was a student and lived in the Warwick Bubble to some extent. If you do have neighbours next door who are keeping you up till two or three o’clock at night then go and tell them. Don’t just bang on the wall and expect them to stop. When I was up till one, two, three o’clock in the morning as a student, I must have caused a whole lot of noise for my next door neighbour and I just wish they had come round to talk to me about it.

“Don’t moan to other people. Go round, be polite, be fair and say ‘do you mind turning the music down’. Nine out of ten people are very reasonable.”

This academic year we have seen students experience problems with some landlords in Leamington. Students staying in Station House, for example, experienced rats in their accommodation, a lack of Wi-Fi, and some were forced to move into unfinished properties. What would you do to protect students from dodgy landlords?

“I wouldn’t really look at it as a student specific issue, but one of my aims if I get elected is to challenge dodgy landlords. It tends to be those that try to offer leases outside of agents or some of the less thorough agents and I just think it’s unacceptable. You’re paying for a good service and you’re paying a lot of rent; you should get a fair deal. One of my aims is to get to know as many landlords as possible and to go around and talk to them.

“If they think they can get away with it, sometimes they do. There are some very good landlords but the bad ones need to be approached face to face.”

Amara and Shades, two sex clubs in Leamington, have proven controversial with students and locals. What is your stance on the clubs being granted sex licences?

Mr Chilvers said he is “very much opposed” to both Shades and Amara being granted sex licences.

“I want Leamington to be a safe place for everyone where we encourage and support each other to respect each other.

“Sex is part of a healthy relationship but actually having a night club which encourages men to objectify women and not look at them as people with gifts and skills just contributes to a view of society that encourages us to be selfish in the way we look at the opposite sex.

“I’m a man, but I want people around me to encourage my better instinct with the opposite sex.

“We don’t want them granted licences and we want them out of our town.”

Why should Warwick students give you their vote?

“I’ve lived in the local area for three years. I’ve been a student in the area and I’ve just never quite got round to leaving. I’m there to stand up for people whoever they are, whether they’re there for the short term or long term. I’m there to build a healthy and vibrant community.”