Council election offers clean slate for Worcester

Worcester is moving to an all-out election system, once every four years

Worcester City Council's first ever "all-out" election offers voters a rare, clean slate to shape the city's politics.

Boundary changes to wards mean all 35 council seats are being contested on Thursday 2 May. Previously a third of council seats were elected each year.

No party currently has control of the city council, which is run on a cross-party committee basis.

As the two largest parties, Labour and the Greens share leadership.

How tight is it?

Eighteen council seats are needed to secure a majority. The current political balance is:

• Labour: 13

• Greens: 11

• Conservative: 7

• Liberal Democrats: 4

Who is standing?

A full list of candidates has been published on the council's website.

The Conservatives, Labour and the Greens are all fielding 35 candidates each, while the Liberal Democrats have put forward 23.

Labour group leader Lynn Denham said her party would continue support for residents struggling with the cost of living crisis and address housing issues

The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition has also put forward five candidates, Reform UK has put forward two, and UKIP has a single candidate.

Seven candidates are non-aligned or standing as independents.

Transport and air quality

Last summer, Worcester City Council published its first draft transport strategy for the city centre.

Tory election leaflets have claimed Labour and the Greens will introduce a clean air zone in the city, in order to charge polluting vehicles.

While the city council has a duty to manage air quality, such a scheme would also require the approval of Worcestershire County Council.

In response, Labour group leader Lynn Denham accused the Tories of a "pack of lies", while the Greens said the measure was not in the party's manifesto.

Green candidate Karen Lewing said her party would take action on the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis, and listen to residents' concerns

Green deputy leader Karen Lewing said the council should prioritise other options, including better buses and park and ride service.

Liberal Democrat candidate Jessie Jagger said the city needed better public transport and that there was currently no support from residents for a charging zone.

Conservative group leader James Stanley defended the use of the Ulez (ultra-low emission zone) sign on leaflets. He said it was a "symbol" of anti-motorist policies his party wanted to avoid, and that it would oppose increases in car park charges.

Have boundary changes had an impact?

This year's election is the first to be held under new ward boundaries, introduced following an independent review of population growth.

While the total number of councillors will remain at 35, the number of wards will increase from 15 to 16.

Conservative group leader James Stanley said his party would deliver a clean city and focus on anti-social behaviour

The vote of residents in Worcester city centre could be crucial. With the existing three-seat Cathedral ward now split into two, two-seat wards, an extra councillor will be elected from the area.

Will I need ID to vote?

Yes you will.

To vote in person at a polling station, you either need to show one of the 22 acceptable forms of ID, or a free document known as a Voter Authority Certificate.

Liberal Democrat candidate Jessie Jagger said her party would listen to residents and hold the city council to account on how taxpayers' money was spent

There will also be a vote to elect the police and crime commissioner (PCC) for the West Mercia force area, a patch covering Herefordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, and Telford and Wrekin.

When will we know the results?

We should know the results of the elections at Worcester City Council by the evening of Friday, 3 May.

The result of the West Mercia PCC election is also expected to be declared on the same day.