About Nigel Manning, a candidate for the Surrey County Council elections on Thursday 6th May 2021
I have lived in Ash / Ash Vale for over 30 years. I spent 42 years in Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs as an Inspector of Taxes, latterly focussing on investigating multi-million-pound international companies. This sound financial experience has been enormously valuable to me, in my voluntary role as a local councillor. I have had the privilege and honour of representing the residents of both Ash / Ash Vale on both an Ash Parish Council (APC) and Guildford Borough Council (GBC) for over 20 years. As Chairman of APC for the past 19 years, I have a proven track record of dedicated voluntary and public service. I have a strong local voice and a reputation for getting things done. I also have a common-sense approach to maintaining quality services whilst securing value for money for all residents, whether they live locally or in the wider Borough.
From 2003 to 2016 I was the Lead Member at GBC for finance and assets, in some form or other. I stepped down in 2016 so I could be Mayor of Guildford. I appointed Rev Neil Lambert as my Mayor’s Chaplain; I still recall with great amusement the sermon Neil gave at my Civic Service – he brought “The Tea Table”, need I say more?
I have always been aware of the pockets of deprivation within the Borough and as Mayor I saw first-hand the fantastic work the volunteers do within our local communities. Year in year out, with little or no recognition, they support the vulnerable and disadvantaged. It was an extremely humbling experience to meet and say thank you to so many wonderful people who selflessly give up their time to help others. As Mayor I supported many charities including the Mayor’s Support Fund and British Heart Foundation, raising over £55,000 during the Mayoral year.
I regularly support many local charities and for years Marsha and I have organised numerous charity quiz nights, within the Parish and across Surrey. These have raised thousands of pounds for worthwhile causes, including the 1st Ash Vale Scouts and the Citizens Advice Bureau. (CAB). Prior to the Covid 19 Pandemic we regularly attended the monthly charity night quizzes at Victoria Hall.
I care passionately about our local community. I have actively encouraged the Parish Council to organise the Summer Fete and Christmas Fantasia, so that residents can come together to support local charities fundraising activities.
In addition to my “council work”, I am currently the Chairman and Trustee of Ash & District Museum Society and Trustee of the James Payne Memorial Fund. In the past I have also been a governor at Ash Manor School and a Trustee of Ash CAB.
