ELECTION candidates debated issues that affect the community at a question time event.

The student politics society at the Cross Keys campus of Coleg Gwent hosted a pan-Caerphilly County Borough Council question time on Wednesday. 

Panel members included the Labour councillor for Risca, Nigel George; leader of the Plaid Cymru group on Caerphilly County Borough Council Colin Mann; independent councillor for Blackwood Nigel Dix; prospective candidate for Newbridge Jago Lewis and Liberal Democrat candidate for Newbridge Matthew Kidner.

The event was chaired by actor Stephen Lyons and began with a minute's silence for Caerphilly council leader Cllr Keith Reynolds, who died on April 10, aged 71.

Questions had been submitted before the event, while there was an chance to question candidates on responses.

One questioner asked what each candidate would do about the drug problem in Caerphilly county.

While many acknowledged there is an issue most felt users are victims while the pushers are the criminals. Cllr Dix (Independent councillor for Blackwood) believes enforcement and treatment are important, but he felt there is an issue about the location of treatment centres as they are demonised by communities before they are built.

Drugs is something that Cllr George said is an issue in his ward. They have used multi-agencies to work with people and added that there is a need to get in work with users. Mr Kidner advocated the legalisation of the use of drugs so people aren’t criminalised as users. This was echoed by Mr Lewis who said that there is a need change of drug policy to system where drugs are out of criminals hand and have a regulated system .

Cllr Mann said that millions of pounds are spent on the drug problem and that it is not working. He added that they don’t have the answer at the moment so it would be worth looking at other countries who don’t have such a big problem as the UK.

A question on whether or not community councils should be scrapped led to Mr Lewis’ passionate debate with Cllr Mann about regeneration schemes and their effect on his local community which was taken back on track by the chair.

The evening closed with a question on what makes a good councillor. Cllr Dix said you need a good pair of ears and be willing to challenge things, while Cllr George added that you need to listen and empathise with people and not judge them.

Mr Kidner said that communication is key and that knocking on doors is important as is reporting back on changes made.

Mr Lewis said they need to be able to engage and be in tune with local people and be able to discuss the issues. Cllr Mann emphasised the need to be persistent because he feels that it takes far too long to get things done.