Two women will be going head to head to be crowned the new Royston town councillor when a by-election is held for the vacant Palace ward seat on Thursday, August 4.

Royston Crow: Amy Bourke-Waite is running for Royston Town Council.Amy Bourke-Waite is running for Royston Town Council. (Image: Archant)

The Crow has spoken to nominees Amy Bourke-Waite (Labour) and Laura Whitford (Independent), who are both running for the position left by former Crow editor Councillor Les Baker, who sadly passed away in May.

Amy is 29 and works in science publishing at BioMed Central. She lives with her husband Adam in the Palace ward.

She said: “I love living in Royston, and would be honoured to represent the people of this wonderful town.

Royston Crow: Amy Bourke-Waite is running for Royston Town Council.Amy Bourke-Waite is running for Royston Town Council. (Image: Archant)

“As more young people like me rent, or buy their first home and grow their families, we need more housing, but also better services for residents such as GP surgeries, schools and transport options. The new splash park is a fun addition for young families, but we need more amenities like it as our town grows.

“I want to work with the county council to improve our roads, especially the High Street as the uneven paving is unsafe. I hope to work with local businesses and markets to make Royston High Street flourish every day of the week.

“I will also fight for you to get more transparency from the town council, as too often important decisions which affect our lives are made behind closed doors. If elected, I will blog regularly about council meetings and activity so everyone knows how and why decisions are being made.”

Royston Crow: Royston shop owner Laura Whitford has been elected to Royston Town Council.Royston shop owner Laura Whitford has been elected to Royston Town Council. (Image: Archant)

Laura is 40, owns shop No.3 Royston in Melbourn Street, and runs the craft fair every month at Royston Town Hall. She lives with her husband David and four-year-old son Jeremy. Previously, she worked in international communications, before becoming a social worker and then assistant manager.

She said: “Royston is an amazing town. There is so much community support. People really care about Royston, and there are more events here than much bigger towns around Hertfordshire.

“Because I own a shop in the heart of town, I’d love to be able to help get the High Street buzzing. We’ve got some lovely shops, and it would be great if people shop here for everything, rather than go elsewhere.

Royston Crow: Laura Whitford is running for Royston Town Council.Laura Whitford is running for Royston Town Council. (Image: Archant)

“As town councillor, I would get behind the campaign to make the High Street safe, and also the campaign to improve the safety of the A5O5 set up by Lynsey Langdon. I have been friends with her husband Greig – who was involved in a car crash on the stretch of road which left him hospitalised – since childhood, and the accident really brought home how dangerous it is.”

The by-election will be held on Thursday, August 4.