South Tyneside local elections: Who will get your vote in Westoe?

David Roger Francis (Green Party)

I live in Westoe with my wife and stepson. In talking to other residents, the same issues come up time and again: people want something done about litter in our streets, back lanes and parks.

They are frustrated with the extensive and costly 365 regeneration project, while King Street becomes increasingly dilapidated, and they feel that a small number of people have been in power, unchallenged for too long.

The Green Party have worked in partnership with local residents and community groups to perform regular litter picks to try and help tackle litter.

We are committed to campaigning for business rate and rent subsidies to allow smaller businesses to flourish.

We also agree with many other residents that the Labour council should be challenged and held to account.

If you would like to help create a better future for South Tyneside please consider voting Green on the 5th May.

Henry Pearce (UKIP)

In the May 2015 General Election UKIP came second behind the Labour Party pushing the Conservatives into a distant third place.

UKIP thus became the official opposition in South Tyneside.

We are the clear second party in terms of the number of votes but what needs to happen is for UKIP to start winning seats so Labour can be properly held to account within the Council Chamber.

For years now the number of people not voting Labour has exceeded those who do.

In April 2016 the entire South Shields Labour Party were suspended because of a culture of “bullying and intimidation”, there is no better time for voters to rally behind the only candidate who has a chance of winning, your UKIP candidate.

Remember UKIP councillors do not answer to a party whip and our only focus is working hard on behalf of the people we represent.

Sam Prior (Conservative Party)

For too long the Labour Party have been trusted in South Tyneside, where failure after failure has occurred.

You only have to look as far as the party’s so-called ‘magnificent‘ 365 plan, costing you the taxpayer £100million, which has now been shelved.

We need real opposition in our town hall to oppose reckless spending in the future, with a new approach to return King Street to a thriving shopping area once again, we are truly on the side of business that will cut business rates and reduce parking charges.

The Conservatives are delivering for people across the country, increasing the personal allowance to £11,000 and £12,500 by 2020, giving the lowest-paid workers in Britain a pay rise with the new national living wage and ensuring dignity and security for everyone in retirement.

Now let the Conservatives deliver change for the people of South Tyneside.

Sheila Mary Stephenson (Labour Party)

Sheila has lived in Westoe for over 30 years and has been a councillor for the Ward for the past four years.

She currently chairs the Housing Performance Panel and is vice chair of the Riverside community area forum.

She is a governor at Laygate School and volunteers with the League of Friends.

In her time as Councillor Sheila has responded to numerous enquiries from residents and is therefore well aware of their concerns.

She has been very much involved in taking forward improvements to the ward such as the resurfacing of Blagdon Avenue, replacing paving in Coleridge Avenue and improvements to Mowbray Park.

Sheila is proud to stand on her record in the Ward and, if elected, is committed to responding promptly and effectively to residents’ enquiries, seeking tirelessly to achieve further improvements to the ward and ensuring that Westoe continues to get its fair share of available resources.