Candidates standing in the upcoming Cumberland Council election have shared their top priorities for the ward they hope to represent.
Voters will take to the polls on May 5 to elect Unitary councillors for the new authority.
Candidates standing for the Aspatria Ward in Allerdale have highlighted the main issues they hope to tackle in the area.
Peter Kendall
Labour
If elected accessibility to residents will be my priority.
Beacon Hill School is a priority for residents and needs improvements to its resources to enable its dedicated staff to deliver great education and allow students to shine. Improvements to the Jubilee Walk to prevent flooding and a safe walk to school.
I will press for improvements the A596 throughout its route and find ways to reduce the heavy goods traffic through Aspatria Main Street.
The Carlisle to Barrow line must be improved with modern rolling stock and more train services mirroring shift patterns at major employers.
I shall also press for better and more frequent bus services for rural communities which desperately need them.
My other responsibility will be to press the case for a sensible Council Tax rate and to pressure, on your behalf, Central Government to alleviate the costs of utilities.
The good residents of this new Authority need to be listened to and action taken.
Kevin Thurlow
Independent
I was honoured to be elected Allerdale Borough Councillor in May 2021 and am now seeking to continue serving our community on Cumberland County Council.
I am the only candidate who lives in the ward. I am saddened that national parties are parachuting candidates in from outside our area. Local politics should be about local people serving local communities.
I worked for many years at the Sealy factory and now run the Letters Inn. I am proud to call our area my home.
If elected my priorities will be-
Adequate support and funding for social care to protect the elderly and vulnerable in our society.
Despite plans to slash 40 million pounds from the roads budget, I will campaign for our area to get whatever funds are available for repairs to the crumbling road structure.
Every effort needs to be help business thrive in our towns and villages. This will provide financial stability and create employment opportunities for local people.
Alison Parker
Green
John Cook
Conservative
As a governor in Cumbria Futures Federation that covers Beacon Hill School, I’ve seen how the hard work of teachers can deliver change for the better. For too long the Labour-run County council has been failing children, I want to work with our officers and professionals to ensure we can deliver an improved education service.
Cumbria has been labelled ‘pothole capital of Britain’. Potholes are pitting our roads. I will ensure that the new Cumberland council fixes this disastrous record and will regularly perform community walk-rounds to report potholes.
The appalling record of the Labour-led County council on public transport is clear. Grants for improved bus services were handed back to central government. The only solution Labour have is to cut services to the bone. I will lobby the new authority to deliver a new integrated transport plan, improving services, ensuring buses connect with trains and that our rural community is not isolated.
Lauren Exley
Liberal Democrat
All candidates were approached for comment.
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