Why the Liberal Democrats believe you should vote for them at the Sunderland City Council elections on May 7

With council elections due to take place on May 7, we are shining the spotlight on the main parties standing in the run-up to polling day.

Sunderland City Council normally holds its elections by ‘thirds’ for its 75 councillors, with one council seat in each of the city’s 25 wards up for grabs each election cycle.

However, a landmark round of local elections is taking place this year following changes to ward boundaries by the Local Government Boundary Commission, with 75 councillors due to be elected to new wards.

Electors can vote for no more than three candidates in their ward and anyone wanting to vote must be on the electoral register.

More than 360 candidates from five established political parties are throwing their hats into the ring, as well as three independent candidates.

All political parties and independent candidates have been given the opportunity to tell readers why you should vote for them.

Here’s what the Wearside Liberal Democrats have to say.

Paul Edgeworth – Leader of Wearside Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrats are the common-sense choice in these local elections.

We want Sunderland Council to get back to basics and deliver real value for money for council taxpayers.

A Lib Dem-run council would focus on making our communities safer, installing more CCTV and cracking down on crime, antisocial behaviour and off-road motorbikes.

We want the council to prioritise road and pavement repairs, street cleaning, tackling fly-tipping, keeping green spaces clean, clearing up sewage from our beaches and making our city centre safer and more attractive – including bringing back Free After 3pm parking to support local businesses.

We’re already the official opposition on Sunderland Council and have won across the city in places like Fulwell, Seaburn, Hendon, Grangetown, Millfield, Thornhill, Pallion, Ford Estate, Pennywell, Hylton Lane, Grindon, Springwell, Thorney Close, Doxford Park, Tunstall Village and parts of High Barnes and Ryhope.

We’re best placed to end years of Labour rule in our city. We are also the sensible, practical alternative to other parties on the extremes of politics.

Lib Dems in opposition on the council have made sure local people get free replacement wheelie bins if yours is stolen or set on fire; free pest control visits if you have rats or mice in your home and garden; and free bulky waste collections for people who can’t get to the tip and to tackle fly-tipping.

If Lib Dems run Sunderland Council we could get so much more done for local people and to improve our communities, estates, shopping parades and town centres in Hetton, Houghton and Washington.