East Midlands mayoral candidate: Frank Adlington-Stringer

Frank Adlington-Stringer is standing as a candidate for the Green Party

People living in the East Midlands Combined County Authority (the four local authorities of Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire) will elect their first regional mayor on 2 May. Here's what you need to know about all of the candidates and their top priorities.

Frank Adlington-Stringer 'got into politics by accident'

The 26-year-old is the youngest candidate. He is a self-employed designer, born in Chesterfield, in Derbyshire, and raised in Derby. He became the first Green Party councillor on North East Derbyshire District Council when he was elected last year.

A former Labour member, he left the party in 2018 after feeling "uninspired and let down".

He says what he does in politics is all about being "creative" by "designing a future world" that does not exist.

Mr Adlington-Stringer also says he is offering policies that "no other candidate is offering", and is running for the position because "people in power are not listening" to the concerns of his community.

He says the area can be the powerhouse of the 'green industrial revolution'

Mr Adlington-Stringer wants to bring buses back under public control, as well as develop a "regional festival" to celebrate the patch and its history.

Another item on his agenda is to plan for the "green industrial revolution" by offering grants to businesses to help them to transition towards net zero.

He also wants to set up citizens' assemblies for people to come together to dictate policy.

He wants to spend all the devolved funding on 'green ambitions'

The candidate says every area of investment, whether it is housing, energy and education and skills, will be "geared towards sustainability".

Longer-term plans include a "spatial land plan" to identify areas for rewilding, infrastructure and transport expansion.

He wants a "joined-up plan" across the region involving people so "everyone is happy" with the direction of the area.

He wants to implement free public transport for the elderly and under-18s

He says he is the "only candidate" that wants to bring public transport back into public control on "day one".

He adds that this means integrated ticketing, modern sustainable and affordable buses and an "innovative subscription-style service" and wants to make sure it is free for the young and elderly.

Mr Adlington-Stringer also says he is "rejecting" on-demand buses, which is what he says "the other candidates are offering".

He says "it's not good enough for rural communities" and wants "timetabled and regular services".

He wants to end homelessness

Mr Adlington-Stringer says his longer-term ambition for the role is a "commitment to end homelessness" in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

He says people sleeping on the streets have "fallen foul" of the economic climate and need "real help" to get back on their feet.

He wants to make sure empty properties are used and that mental health services are properly supported to help people in need.