This is what the four main parties standing in all wards across Colchester are promising residents if they secure your vote:
Conservative
Stanway Paul Dundas Conservative takes the seat from Jessica Scott-Boutell in 2018
The Conservative Group is hoping to take control of the council from the coalition.
To do so the group need to secure an additional five seats.
The Tories have set out ten immediate pledges which they are promising to enact if the win control of the council.
The first is to attempt to stop Alumno’s proposed students flats development off Queen Street and find an alternative plan for the area.
Any plans to build on Shrub End sports grounds would be stopped.
The group will commit £50,000 to explore “alternative options” for Middlewick, where 1,000 homes are set to be built.
To stop building over the target number of new homes across the borough.
Cancel “vanity” projects of the administration and spend more on things like street cleaning.
A new parking strategy would be developed whilst CCTV coverage will be extended to cover outside the town centre.
The Tories will refocus the Colchester Woodland and Biodiversity Project on trees which survive five years and say they’ll spend the £19.2 million Town Deal funding “sensibly” to draw more investment.
They’ve also committed to making Colchester East Anglia’s most electric car friendly town.
Green Party
Mark Goacher (Green) takes Darius Laws' seat in Castle in 2019
The Greens will be buoyed by securing their first councillor in the town at the last election in 2019, when Mark Goacher beat then Tory leader Darius Laws in Castle ward.
The group says it will prioritise investment in infrastructure to cope with the growth of Colchester.
Town centre development will be prioritised rather than out-of-town shopping centres.
Looking after the environment, of course, plays a big part, along with air quality. Amongst a raft of measures, the Greens want to see laws enforced on engine idling, better alternatives to car journeys and 20mph limits in residential areas as default.
They’ve promised to protect green spaces from development and use brownfield sites instead whilst working to protect Salary Brook and Middlewick Ranges from homes.
They want to see increased emphasis on recycling and have promised to campaign for greater NHS investment in Colchester.
Amongst the group’s other pledges are investment in council housing, heritage and tourism and crime prevention.
The Greens are also strongly opposed to plans for the Bradwell B nuclear plant.
Read more:
- Elections May 2021: The seven key seats in Colchester Council elections
- Elections May 2021: Candidates standing for Colchester Council
- Essex County Council election: List of Colchester candidates
Labour
Leader of Colchester Labour Tina Bourne
The Labour Group is hoping to increase its number of councillors, and perhaps its position within the coalition, after May’s election.
The group has set out five main priorities for Colchester going forward, promising it will make “Colchester the best place to live, work and enjoy”.
First is a promise to be strong on the environment and “lead on putting green issues at the heart of decision making”.
The group will fight inequality, which it says is growing across the town. It promises to “fight Tory cuts” and support public services.
The fourth pledge says “Labour councillors have led the community response to Covid19 and will engage with their communities and always work on their behalf”.
Housing will also be a focus on the group, with a push to invest in “genuinely” affordable council housing for residents of the borough.
Liberal Democrats
Lib Dem manifesto launch 2021
The Lib Dems are the larger party in the coalition with 13 seats and hold the most cabinet seats as well as Mark Cory leading the council.
In its manifesto the party is promising investment in businesses and jobs as the town looks to bounce back from Covid.
The group says the party will continue tackling climate change and have committed to developing a nature reserve or country park at Middlewick Ranges, supporting High Steward Sir Bob Russell’s efforts.
Further investment is planned in arts and heritage, health and wellbeing and housing.
The group says it will prioritise a Youth Zone as part of the Town Deal funding to boost youth services in the town.
Mr Cory said: “We have a strong record, despite government cuts and the pandemic, Colchester shines bright. We will continue to ensure Colchester remains a great place to work, live and visit, improving our environment and quality of life and looking after those most in need.”
Other parties
The Highwoods Independents, who could hold a big say in the sway of power, focus on the ward where they are based and have been dominant in Highwoods for many years.
Reform UK, formed from the ashes of the Brexit Party, has candidates standing in Greenstead, Highwoods, Rural North and Shrub End.
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