Use your vote in the May elections

Paul Ray, Lichfield District Councillor writes

"2022 was a very hard year for many residents. I wish all residents all the very best for 2023 but am aware that the next 12 months will be very challenging for many in our community.

So at the May elections residents can vote for change.

The Conservatives control your council and we see the same position with the Lichfield Conservatives as we do with their chaotic party nationally.

In Lichfield they have dragged their feet and have a record of non-delivery for you. They are still the same Conservatives who do not really believe in investing in our public services and communities.

Look at these examples of Conservative failures in Lichfield:

• Birmingham Road site - millions wasted and nothing has started. No initial enabling works. No funding strategy. Too much talking but no action.
• A quarter of the Lichfield Conservative councillors voted for their allowances to go up by 10%. In view of the current cost of living crisis I believed that that was an outrageous plan, so I opposed it, and in the end this did not get voted through.
• Blue bags fiasco - farcical roll-out where internal recommendations were not taken up which led to chaotic implementation.
• New leisure centre - still no action despite Conservative promises. Residents are right to ask if their voices are being heard and listened to.
• Totally inadequate infrastructure (schools, GP surgeries etc) to support the new housing - and lack of affordable housing especially for young people.

So in May I urge residents to vote for change - and for hard working Lib Dem councillors who care."