Background of cuts adds to tension as hopefuls fight it out in run up to elections

THE County Council elections take place on May 4 with key issues at stake over the future direction of both Worcestershire and Warwickshire.

In Worcestershire the council has had to make swingeing cuts to services as its central government grant has been cut – £29million in 2017/18 alone – its childrens services have been branded ‘inadequate’ and its chief executive, Clare Marchant has announced her resignation.

However against this backdrop the county is economically thriving and continues to prosper.

In Redditch it has backed the Eastern Gateway project, supported the Tour Series Cycle Race, and, together with the borough council is helping to repave Alcester Street.

And these elections matter because of what the council controls: Travel and roads, the environment, schools, social care and a host of other areas.

The Tory-controlled council is currently made up as follows: Conservatives – 31; Labour – 6; Labour & Co-operative – 5; Lib Dem – 5; Independents – 3; Greens – 2; Independent community – 2; Ukip – 2; Wythall Residents Association -1.

Redditch has four county wards, each returning two councillors, and these are Redditch North, Redditch South, Arrow Valley East and Arrow Valley West.

What the parties say:

Labour: Locally Labour county representatives have been at the forefront of battling against building of 3,400 homes on land in Webheath, and have campaigned vocally for the caging of Muskets Way bridge, a known suicide spot. They have also backed the Tour Series cycle race, the biggest sporting event on the Redditch calendar.

A spokesman said: “Labour will prioritise public health improvement, will ensure a fully funded youth service, and that Children’s Centre Services are retained.

“Labour will ensure Adult Social Services will be delivered on the basis of need not ability to pay and Labour will support all forms of public transport and will reintroduce free concessionary travel before 9.30am across the whole County.

“We will also save money by re-negotiating all county council contracts to ensure in-house provision with a co-operative council.”

Conservatives: Although the county council is Conservative controlled locally the party currently has no representatives on it. A spokesperson said: “Worcestershire’s council tax is one of the lowest of any county council in the country.

“We are investing an additional £12 million to resurface more roads and spending an extra £6 million on pavements.

“We have delivered the new Bromsgrove station, Hoobrook Link Road and Superfast Broadband to over 90 per cent of homes and businesses.

“Our plans will grow the local economy by one third by 2025 – creating new homes and better paid jobs.

“We will help older residents to live independently and improve care for vulnerable children.”

They also vowed to provide more school places to keep pace with new developments and to encourage apprenticeships in Redditch.

Ukip: Local elections spokesman Paul Swansborough said: “With a total expenditure of almost £325million we want to ensure Redditch gets its fair share of the budget. You only have to walk around places like Church Hill and Woodrow to see the outgoing Labour councillors have failed miserably to get any serious public investment into the town.

“In Matchborough and Winyates our pavements are crumbling under our feet. Ukip will provide a straight-talking opposition and push the county health scrutiny committee to hold the CCGs and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust to account.”

He added they would push for a full range of acute services at the Alex, protect the Green Belt, ensure Diamond Buses meet their 95 per cent compliance target, renew footpaths and Increase funding for adult social care and mental health.

Liberal Democrats: They say their candidates can provide a real opposition to the cuts imposed by the Conservatives at County Hall.

As an example former Mayor of Redditch Diane Thomas, standing in Arrow Valley West, said the Conservative authority had neglected pavement maintenance for years.

“This is a particular problem for elderly people as they are frightened to go out for fear of falling,” she said.

She would press for an increase in the maintenance budget.

The Lib Dems also slammed the Conservatives for failing the most vulnerable children in Worcestershire as detailed in a recent Ofsted report.

A spokesperson added: “The Lib Dems have been gaining support nationwide over the past year, winning more council by-elections than any other party, and our candidates are asking for support to change Worcestershire for good.”

Green Party: Currently with two representatives on the county council, their spokesperson said: “We stand for better ways of getting around. We believe residents should have affordable, safe and accessible alternatives to single occupancy car use.

“We want to see an efficient public transport system, we need safer walking and cycling routes.

“We want to see an NHS that works for people locally. We want children’s centres to be protected and services developed for the most vulnerable in society.

“We believe a zero-waste society is possible and we also believe that listening to the concerns of local communities and working with them to find balanced and fair solutions, is an important part of our role.”

Worcestershire County Council candidates:

Arrow Valley East: Joe Baker (Labour), Tom Baker-Price (Con), Peter Bridle (Ukip), Juliet Brunner (Con), David Gee (Lib Dem), Wanda King (Labour), Paul Swansborough (Ukip), Robert Wardell (Greens), Rylma White (Greens), Hans Windheuser (Lib Dem).

Arrow Valley West: Matt Dormer (Con), Andrew Fry (Lab), Kathy Haslam (Ukip), Pattie Hill (Lab), Scott Preston (Ukip), Russell Taylor (Lib Dem), David Thain (Con), Diane Thomas (Lib Dem), Rachel Wardell (Greens), Kevin White (Greens), Sharnah Wynn.

Redditch North: Brandon Clayton (Con), Robin Lunn (Labour), Tony Pitt (Lib Dem), Steven Pound (Greens), Gareth Prosser (Con), Barry Thornton (Ukip) Simon Venables (Greens), Graham Vickery (Lab), Ian Webster (Lib Dem), Sally Woodhall (Ukip).

Redditch South: Roger Bennett (Con), Gilly Cooper (Lab), Claire Davies (Greens), Pamela Gee (Lib Dem), David Greenwood (Ukip), Rita Hindle (Lib Dem), Mike Lewington (Lab), Jane Pottter (Con), Alistair Waugh (Greens).

WARWICKSHIRE County Council has also had to make major savings, trimming its budget by £34million for the current financial year with more to follow next year.

These elections are significant as there has been a major re-drawing of the divisions, reducing the number of councillors from 62 to 57.

Currently no one political party has overall control of the authority with the present composition as follows: Conservatives 26; Labour 22; Liberal Democrats 9, Greens 2; and Independents 3.