Election profiles: Worcester's Arboretum city council ward

IT'S been three years since voters in the Arboretum last had their say on Worcester City Council - with a lot of water under the bridge.

During that time the authority has gone from Conservative controlled to Labour and then back to the Tories, remaining on a knife-edge.

But this is comfortable home ground for Labour, with a shock on the cards if it fails to stay red.

The ward has two city council seats, both held by Labour, with Councillor George Squires taking his turn to face the voters.

Four years ago he rocked up a strong 977 votes, 305 in front of the nearest challenger in Conservative Pam Clayton.

The other seat in Arboretum is held by his wife Councillor Joy Squires, Worcester's Labour parliamentary candidate, with the ward traditionally a strong heartland for the party over many years.

One of the striking things about this ward is the turn-out - the Arboretum has good voter participation, with it hitting 44 per cent in 2011.

One of the major issues over the last three years has been the growth of student housing and properties of multiple occupation in the ward.

With St John's increasingly saturated, investors have turned towards this part of the city for some quick-wins.

There is a strong community feel here, largely led by Arboretum Residents Association, which campaigns and jollies the powers-that-be.

The now-closed Arboretum Inn, which sits in the council ward and was subject to a campaign to try and save it, proves that case in point.

Given the nature of its streets, parking has been a long-standing problem, and in recent months barely an association meeting has passed by without concern over the street litter bins being raised.

The ward is also home to the crumbling Sansome Walk pool, which is expected to be demolished and sold off once the new £10.4 million swimming facility opens in 2017.

Rumours have persisted in recent weeks that the Sansome Walk site could become a car park.

Cllr Squires is in a four-horse election race, with the Tories putting up activist Will Pryce.

Mr Pryce, a trained lawyer from the Wirral, used to work for employment minister Esther McVey and is now Robin Walker's General Election campaign officer.

The Green Party is standing campaigner Susan Avery, and UKIP's Robert Menzies completes the picture.

Labour will feel it has to win here to stand any chance of regaining control of the city council, but the Tories' 672 votes last time around suggests it is not done and dusted.

SUSAN AVERY (Green)

I have lived in Worcester for four years and joined the Green Party because of my increasing alarm at the direction in which the country seems to be heading – an ever-increasing gulf between the richest and poorest, the number of people dependent on food banks, lack of government action on climate change and our essential health and education services being undervalued while failing banks were propped up.

I believe that the Green Party is the only political party with people rather than profit at the heart of everything that it does.

My hope in working for my area through the party is to help create a healthier, fairer and happier community.

I want to see public transport in Worcester become cheaper and more efficient and for cycling round our city to become safer and more popular.

I’m also inspired by local schemes focussing on food production and sustainability. Encouraging local businesses, services and community groups makes good environmental and economic sense and will help Worcester to thrive and become more resilient.

ROBERT MENZIES (UKIP)

I am a former Socialist utterly disillusioned with the left’s betrayal of the British working class.

I firmly believe in the absolute right to freedom of speech and that freedom of speech means the freedom to offend and be offended.

Without this right there can be no meaningful debate. If we are censored or forced to self-censor then democracy is dead.

Every distinct people has a right to a homeland to call their own, and this right belongs to the British people as much as for other people’s in other lands.

I have been a social work professional for 22 years. I am due to marry my Bulgarian partner with whom I have a young daughter.

I first moved to Worcester in 1993. I am the former chairman of the Worcester ‘Stop The War Coalition’ in 2003-4.

WILL PRYCE (Con)

Living and working in the heart of the city centre I know what a great and diverse place the Arboretum is.

However, having spent recent months knocking on hundreds of doors in the area I feel I have developed a good understanding of the issues facing the local community.

Residents want to see real action in addressing long-standing issues such as parking, litter and dog mess and anti-social behaviour.

They also want a councillor who is truly focused on the local area rather than on using the Arboretum as a springboard to get into parliament.

I believe the council needs to better reflect the local community it serves, and as a young recent graduate I feel I could add a fresh perspective at the Guildhall.

I am also committed to keeping in touch with local people between elections through social media and other channels.

Labour and the Greens now take your support for granted. If you feel the Arboretum needs new ideas and someone focused on being an effective local voice please lend me your vote 7th May.

GEORGE SQUIRES (Lab)

In the four years since I was elected as the city councillor for the Arboretum ward, I have listened to residents' concerns and have addressed many issues from broken street lights to road safety.

I actually live in the ward so I am aware of the things which affect local residents and my neighbours on a daily basis.

I am actively involved in a number of local community groups such as the Worcester Arts Workshop and the Worcester Canal Group; I helped clear trollies and bikes from the canal in Lansdowne Park.

I regularly get involved in litter picking along the canal and the Arboretum, and have learned that it is small things such as this which can make a difference to local residents.

I have raised residents' concerns on a number of planning applications affecting the ward, both large and small.

And I am keen to see Worcester City Football Club return to the city after its exile in Kidderminster.

I would like to opportunity to continue representing the residents of the ward and carrying on with what in have started.