Just a quarter voted last time: make it count now
HALTON voters will go to the polls on Thursday, May 3, to vote for their local councillors.
Labour currently hold an overwhelming majority on the council and Rob Polhill, leader of the Halton Labour group and chair of the council, believes that the Labourdominated council can be proud of their achievements in office.
He said: “We have achieved a huge amount over recent years in terms of regeneration and job creation projects, such as Venture Fields and the development of the Crosville site, which has led to the economy showing an improvement and a sense of confidence in the borough.
“There have been noticeable improvements in the performance of our schools, we have worked tirelessly to encourage ● investment in world-leading science facilities at SciTech Daresbury, and of course the Mersey Gateway opened after many years of hard work and campaigning.
“But these are the headline-grabbing highlights. Every day we are striving to ensure Halton is a wellrun authority which works for all the people of the borough.” ●
Meanwhile, opposition parties will be looking take the opportunity to break Labour dominance.
The Conservative Party came second in Halton in the 2017 General Election with over 10,000 votes, and are therefore Labour’s biggest challengers.
Colleen Harper, deputy chairman of the Halton Conservatives, said: “Although Derek Twigg won by a large majority, the result indicates there should be more Tories on the council, to better reflect the populace.
“We are fielding candidates in almost every ward, and wish them success.”
Ms Harper criticised the housing developments that have been approved under the current council.
She said: “This council ● has allowed housing to be built without improvement to the roads, schools, doctors, etc, and they are planning a lot more.
“We need more people on the council like John and Marjorie Bradshaw, who understand how the world works and what is needed to help our residents enjoy living in Halton.”
Both the Liberal Democrats and UKIP have spoken of their desire to hold Labour to account if they are to make gains.
Chris Rowe, chairman of Halton Liberal Democrats, said: “Halton Council is massively dominated by Labour.
“Of the 56 seats, Labour hold 52. Our plan is not domination of the council, but to be big enough to hold Labour to account properly.
“At the moment there isn’t even an opposition member on every committee and policy and performance board.
“That’s bad for local democracy.”
Phil Busow, chairman of UKIP Runcorn, echoed Mr Rowe’s eagerness to hold Labour to account, and voiced optimism that UKIP candidates may find their way onto the council.
Mr Busow said: “UKIP have always been confident of breaking Labour’s dominance in Halton and previous results have shown this.
“Unfortunately, it has to date not resulted in a seat on the council but I do believe we will achieve this eventually.
“As one of the smallest parties, and being the least funded, fighting the Labour machine is no easy task but I think we have made headway since the branch was launched in 2013, and we intend to hold this council to account with or without a seat on the council.” ●
Turnout for local elections in 2016 stood at just 27.3%, and the parties were all keen to emphasise the importance of local councillors as the public are encouraged to vote.
Mr Polhill said: “In a democratic society the quickest way to have your say is to use your vote – that’s why these elections are so important.
“We would always encourage everyone to vote and have a direct influence on the outcome of this and other elections.
“We are deeply committed to looking after the most vulnerable in our society at a time when punishing cuts in council funding continue to stretch our resources.
“We will look to protect the borough’s social care provision, continue to back our ever-improving schools, look to enhance the skills of local people and ensure they are equipped for today’s job market and maintain and improve the quality of life for all Halton residents.”
Ms Harper said: “Local councillors can provide great assistance to residents who have a problem, such as potholes, bin collection, etc.
“The officers working for the council should carry out the policies agreed by the councillors but sometimes things go amiss for individuals who may need help.
“One of the best feelings in the world is helping someone and councillors are able to do that.
“They aren’t all the same and we hope Halton voters will select wisely by voting Tory on May 3.”
Mr Rowe said: ‘‘ Councillors should act as a voice for local residents when they do not get the level of service expected, or when they object to contentious planning applications.”
He added that his party’s candidates would aim to work closely to those who voted for them.
“The Lib Dems have a good track record for engaging with residents and our candidates would make sure their voices are heard. Our candidates also have a wealth of experience as most of them have served as councillors previously.”
Mr Busow also voiced the opinion that a councillor should work for the good of the community, not the party they represent.
He said: “In my opinion, the role of a councillor should be to represent the people who voted them in and not the party they support, and the constraints put upon them by chief executives on local issues.
“This would not happen to a UKIP councillor; this is one of the reasons Labour do not want a UKIP councillor on the council.
“We have campaigned on various issues over the years. Sometimes this involves members putting up there own funding and doing it for the good of the community.
“Some are candidates, some are activists.
“We have been holding regular protests on the bridge since 2014 against the tolls. Our first campaign was to highlight the running down of Halton General Hospital which is now a major topic once again.
“We also supported the residents of the Heath in the early stages of Europe’s biggest incinerator being built metres from residential housing.
“These are some of the issues that would make a UKIP candidate more effective as he or she would work for the community and not against it, should we get elected.”