LABOUR councillors are firing the starting gun on May’s election after launching their manifesto.

Titled ‘Building Stronger Communities’, the manifesto sets out the party’s agenda should it maintain control of Cheshire West and Chester Council after Thursday, May 2.

And with the borough finely poised for a close political battle, both the Labour and Conservative groups will be pushing for every vote.

“We are excited to put these plans to the people of Cheshire West,” said Cllr Samantha Dixon, leader of CEC’s Labour group.

“We know local people are fed up of being held back by Tory austerity – Cheshire West residents deserve better.

“That’s why we have produced a credible, ambitious programme to stand up against the cuts, using bold new ideas and working together with communities to rebuild the safety nets being eroded by a Tory government in Westminster.

Chester and District Standard:

Cllr Sam Dixon

“This plan will give Cheshire West’s people, towns, villages and city the confidence and opportunity to thrive.”

Key pledges in the manifesto include:

  • Building more affordable homes and council houses, and tackling homelessness
  • Supporting transport and regeneration projects across the borough
  • Working with charities, advice groups and the NHS to tackle poverty and improve wellbeing
  • Lobbying Government for school funding and equal learning opportunities for children with special educational needs and disabilities
  • Promoting a local growth fund and exploring opportunities to bring outsourced services back into CWAC’s control
  • Taking on the waste and recycling contract and pushing the council to be environmentally friendly

The manifesto has been endorsed by Cheshire West’s three Labour MPs – Mike Amesbury, Chris Matherson and Justin Madders – and Wharton Cllr Brian Clarke says it is the result of ‘listening to local residents’.

Labour currently has 38 members on CWAC, while the Conservatives have 35 and there are two independent councillors – and both the main parties have their eyes on control of the borough.

The Conservatives are yet to publish their full manifesto for May’s election, but they have released a leaflet called ‘Our Plan’ with six key pledges:

  • Abolishing the recently-introduced parking charges and supporting the high street
  • Keeping council tax low and ‘spending money wisely’ on services such as emptying bins, cleaning streets, cutting grass and tackling fly-tipping
  • Using the £3.5 million sent from Government in highways funding to fix potholes
  • Reducing single-use plastics
  • Delivering more local school places and boosting apprenticeships with local employers
  • Boosting the borough’s cultural and historical offer

Following last week’s budget debate, which saw the two political groups battle over April’s tax rise, Tory group leader Cllr Lynn Riley said: “Labour’s budget really does need taking to pieces.

Chester and District Standard:

Cllr Lynn Riley

“This is about ultimately finding a way to run services that does not have to start with the taxpayer. It doesn’t have to be this way.

“There are lots of people out there with good ideas. We are not short of ideas in Cheshire West but we have got to have a council that is prepared to find a way to unleash that potential.”

May’s election will also be the first since CWAC’s reorganisation of electoral wards.

There will be five fewer councillors – 70 down from 75 – and 45 wards in total, with all but three having changed from the current wards, and one being removed.

Full details on the candidates and other parties who will be involved are yet to be confirmed.

For more information about this year’s election visit CWAC's dedicated webpage.

For Labour’s manifesto in full, click here.

And for details on the Conservative group’s ‘Our Plan’ leaflet, click here.