REDDITCH goes to the polls next Thursday, May 5 in what are seen as crucial local elections.
Up for grabs are 11 seats in 10 wards – Church Hill, Batchley & Brockhill, Central, Abbey, Headless Cross & Oakenshaw, Winyates, Astwood Bank & Feckenham, Crabbs Cross, and Lodge Park with two seats being contested in Greenlands.
And although the Conservatives have 23 councillors and cannot lose control of Town Hall whatever the result, these elections are very much a test on how the people of Redditch rate Councillor Matt Dormer’s administration.
Labour currently have three councillors and will be looking to make inroads into the ruling group’s majority while The Greens who have one councillor, could well make gains. Like Labour and the Conservatives they are contesting all 10 wards.
Looking to make an impact will be the Liberal Democrats who are contesting six wards with a candidate from Reform UK standing in one ward.
Of the main parties, Claire Davies, leader of Redditch Greens, said: “As a party we are not just about caring for our environment even though this is the issue that all parties, not just us, must address.
“We are also for a fairer society, people being listened to and not ignored, about serious discussions on the things that matter.
“I can understand why people get turned off politics – as it is there’s lots of talk and nothing happens.
“The Greens offer an alternative, a means of doing things better, and we will.”
Councillor Andy Fry, leader of the Labour group in the council chamber said their message was simple: “We will be pushing for more open leadership, we want local forums for local people to make their views known, not for them to be ignored.
“The Council finances are in a mess and desperately need sorting out.
“The government takes something in the region of £7million a year out of Redditch through taxes and we want to see investment in local government.
“Redditch desperately needs more council housing. The only reason Redditch alone has kept its council housing in Worcestershire is because of Labour. We want to see that programme expand.”
Mark Tomes, local leader of the Liberal Democrats said it was time for new ideas and a fresh perspective.
“The Tories and Labour have had their chance and look at the mess they’ve made.
“Church Green is full of derelict shops, the Tories keep talking about this £15million of whatever they’ve received but we have seen nothing of it.
“The council’s finances are being mismanaged and all the while people are really struggling.
“Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have broken the law and think nothing of it.
“It’s time to say enough is enough – the Liberal Democrats are unified in what we want to do in Redditch – it’s time to vote for change.”
Council Leader Councillor Dormer said the reasons to vote for the Conservatives were plain: “We are the only party with a clear plan, a clear vision of what we want for this town.
“We’re not about throwing rocks – we were elected by the people to do what’s right for Redditch and that’s exactly what we will continue to do.
“We will carry on consulting and getting people involved and we will carry on getting things done for the good of all.”
