Quarter of councillors not standing for re-election

All 58 seats are up for re-election on Warrington Borough Council

About a quarter of councillors in a Cheshire town are not standing for re-election at the upcoming local elections.

All 58 seats at Warrington Borough Council are up for grabs on 2 May, with 14 current councillors not standing this time around.

They include nine Labour members, three Conservatives, a Liberal Democrat and one independent.

The authority is currently led by Labour, with the Tories making up the second largest party, the Liberal Democrats third, alongside a further four independent councillors.

Among those not standing this time around is former leader Russ Bowden and former deputy Cathy Mitchell.

Mr Bowden announced last year he would not be standing again.

Decision to retire

Other candidates who are also not standing include Sarah Hall, who is Labour’s candidate for Warrington South at the next general election, Conservative Wendy Maisey and Liberal Democrat group leader Bob Barr.

Mr Barr said he had decided to retire from the council after 18 years as he approaches his 75th birthday, and was looking forward to more time to travel, be with his family and pursue academic interests.

A further six councillors - five Labour and one Liberal Democrat - are standing for different wards this time around.

In total, 137 candidates are standing for the council's 58 seats.

Of these, 51 are Labour, 47 Conservatives, 19 Liberal Democrats, five Green, five Reform and there are 10 independents.