Residents in Douglas Council’s Derby ward go to the polls on Thursday to choose a new councillor.

The seat became available after Ferdinand Pabellan stepped down due to ill health.

The polling station is the schoolroom in Trinity Methodist church, with polls open from 8am to 8pm.

The by-election has attracted four candidates who have spoken to the Examiner about why they want to represent Derby Ward.

The candidates are:

lChairman of the Manx Green Party, Andrew Bentley, who is an architect

lCharlton Krentz who is a company director

lClaire Newall, who is a civil servant

lAmanda Walker who is a teacher.

The candidates were given the same questions:

lWhy they wish to be a councillor?

lWhat they think they can bring to the role?

lWhat they believe the biggest challenges Douglas faces?

Andrew Bentley said: ’Douglas is my home town and I feel the town centre could be better, it needs some fresh ideas and greater aspirations.

’And I would like the opportunity to show that the Isle of Man Green Party consists of responsible and pragmatic people who can make a positive contribution to Manx political life.’

For Charlton Krentz, he said ’community’ was the key behind why he wanted to be a councillor.

He added: ’We all want what’s best not only for ourselves and our family, but also for the people around us. Douglas is our home and how it is run and administered has a huge impact on our quality of life and our happiness.’

Claire Newall said that she wanted to take a lifelong interest in politics and make it a reality to help people.

’I want to help our community and to able to make a difference to the lives of the people in Douglas,’ she said.

’Holding this seats means I can give people a voice that perhaps didn’t have one before.’

Amanda Walker also wants to serve her community and said she thinks ’I can bring a mature and analytical mind to the issues our community faces’.

Each candidate showed how they feel their different life experiences and skills can make a difference to the people of Douglas.

Mr Bentley said he would bring his skills as an architect to encourage energy efficient buildings and would ’argue the case for design quality, inclusivity, and sustainability in council decisions’.

Mr Krentz pointed to his experience in business management and growing his own business over the past few years as a learning curve, which has left him unafraid to say what he thinks.

’A phrase I have heard all too often is "we’ve always done it this way",’ he said.

Mrs Newall said that her 20 years experience working the public sector and a lifelong interest in politics has provided her with a good understanding of the process of local government.

Mrs Walker said she is a creative person but wants to bring a sense of realism.

She said: ’I am not making a long list of promises my promise is simply that

’I will make informed decisions and try to best represent the community.’

A common theme for the candidates for the issues facing the town is dilapidated properties, with them being described as a ’blight’, a lack of parking and the need to grow a sustainable local economy.