Candidates standing for the Howgate ward in the upcoming Cumberland Council election

Voters will take to the polls on May 5 to elect Unitary councillors for the new authority.

Candidates standing for the Howgate ward in Copeland have highlighted the main issues they hope to tackle in the area.

Martin Barbour, Conservative

My aims are: • Continue to focus on and improve on the basic services such as tidiness and cleanliness of our division’s streets, bin collections, waste management, recycling etc • Continuing support to retain and deliver quality services at the West Cumberland Hospital.

• Continue to work with National Highways to improve road infrastructure and road junctions throughout the division especially along the Parton, Lowca and Rosehill junction areas, which includes the continued campaigning and support for the long awaited and much fought for Whitehaven relief road • Continued support of the nuclear industry, especially the development of new nuclear electricity generation • Continue support for the regeneration of our neighbouring town centres and help bring back the vibrant & diverse town centres we would all like access to again • Continue to work with councillors of all parties to get the best outcome for our division by maintaining and supporting improvements in council service delivery for the benefit of the community.

William Dixon, Heritage Party - Free Speech and Liberty

My name is William Dixon, I live in Moresby Parks with my wife Claire and family, and I work at Sellafield for NNL. My top three priorities are: 1. Self sufficiency in energy - I support the proposed coal mine in Whitehaven - it is better for the UK to produce coking coal for steel than rely on imports. I support a new nuclear reactor to be built in the area. These developments will provide much needed West Cumbrian jobs and investment.

2. Cost of living - I support reduction of taxes, having one rather than two layers of local Government is a step in the right direction.

3. Protecting our countryside - the Heritage Party is committed to protecting our natural environment. I will support any measures in this regard, such as maintaining public access to Walkmill woodlands.

Eren McGuire, Independent

I am pleased to be considered as an Independent Candidate for Howgate Ward. If elected my first priorities would be; 1. The bridge on Moresby Park Road. There is a major blind spot at the junction next to the bridge, which is hazardous for drivers. I would look at ways to remove it and improve the visibility from all angles.

2. The attractiveness of any area is what makes living in it that much more appealing. If elected as councillor, keeping up with the area's maintenance, e.g. drain cleaning to prevent flooding, weed pulling to keep walkways safe and accessible, and flowers blooming to uplift the area would be something I'd make sure to oversee.

3. I'm a dog lover and taking my own for a walk is great, until I'm somewhere without a bin and have to carry the bags with me for miles. Most of our dog walking areas are lacking in bins so I would press forward with having more installed to keep on top of both animal waste and rubbish left by the general public.

Gillian Troughton, Labour

I'm standing for the ward I've lived in for 23 years because we deserve the services and infrastructure we've been promised over the past few years.

Previously, I've got more litter bins, made sure communities have defibrillators and got improvements to our roads. I've tackled flooding issues across our area and challenged planning applications that would have made things worse. I made sure that we kept Council Tax discounts (scrapped by the Conservative Government) for those on the lowest incomes, and enabled the implementation of the Real Living Wage for all Copeland Council employees (and challenged local employers, especially nuclear contractors, to do the same.) There's much more to be done. Road improvements to the A595, that I fought for getting progress with Highways England, have disappeared from plans since. The threats to our health services continue; education and social care services are underfunded. You deserve better.

Kevin Young, Independent

I have been honoured to represent my community on Parton Parish Council for the last twenty years, eight of those as the council chair.

I am seeking to be elected to Cumberland Council for Howgate ward and as an Independent candidate I will not make any promises I can't deliver. However what I can promise are; • As an Independent I will be available and accountable to the people of Howgate Ward and not to any Political Party.

• I will campaign tirelessly to deliver much needed improvements on the A595 at the Parton, Lowca and Rosehill junctions.

• I will campaign relentlessly to deliver open space amenities and work alongside grassroots Sports Clubs in Howgate ward that will be of massive benefit to the community.

I firmly believe in people not politics and also putting community first.

Vote Kevin Young, Independent on May 5.