St Helens Local Elections 2021: Voters to head to polls

There will be 17 seats on St Helens Council to be contested overall across 16 wards.

Labour is seeking to keep a grip on power while opposition parties and independent candidates are aiming to make inroads into the majority.

A total of 48 councillors make up the council, three in each ward but two seats are vacant – one in the Windle ward and one in Earlestown.

Therefore, currently, there are 46 councillors with 34 Labour; four Liberal Democrats; three Conservatives; three independents and two Greens.

Key issues in the campaign have included St Helens’ post-Covid recovery and the row over the Local Plan and release of green belt land for development.

What are the parties and candidates saying?

Labour vowed to offer a “credible, deliverable, and ambitious plan” to help the borough’s recovery after the pandemic.

Cllr David Baines

Cllr David Baines, leader of the Labour group and the council said: “This election is our chance to choose how we rebuild after Covid. Our manifesto clearly shows Labour are determined to stand up for St Helens residents, businesses and essential services who have fought so hard in the past year and we’re the only party with a credible, deliverable, and ambitious plan for the borough.

"Use all your votes for Labour in these elections to help make sure we can continue to work together for St Helens and build the society and economy we need after the pandemic.”

The Liberal Democrats pledged to residents “a cleaner, greener community where local people are listened to”.

Cllr Teresa Sims

Lib Dem group leader Cllr Teresa Sims said: "This local election is all about who residents have trust and confidence in to represent them in St Helens Town Hall.

"Our party keeps in touch all year round with our regular FOCUS newsletters, which we have been delivering to residents across St Helens for many years, including my ward of Eccleston. Sitting alongside the FOCUS newsletter, we also deliver local street letters, undertake door-knocking sessions, hold public meetings and organise cleanups/litter picks to try and keep our local area clean and tidy.

"We believe that only by listening to and working with residents can we address the issues that matter most in our community. So, on May 6, people have a fantastic opportunity to back their community by supporting people who believe in their community, people who will act for and with their community – their Liberal Democrat candidate."

Meanwhile, the Conservatives said they are offering a “willingness to listen to the people and act upon their wishes” and “to work with other opposition parties” against the Labour group.

Cllr Allan Jones

Cllr Allan Jones, leader of the Tory group said the party will act upon the wishes of residents.

"What we are offering the people of St Helens in this election is a willingness to listen to the people and act upon their wishes," he said to the Star.

"A willingness to work with other opposition parties to get rid of this Labour council who waste people's money, examples being Church Square and Chalon Way."

Cllr Jones added: "We will always defend the green belt wherever possible and promote housebuilding on brownfield sites.

"We voted against the rise in council tax and against the precept for a city regional mayor."

He added: "We have a fine selection of candidates and, knowing that many residents are fed up of being taken for granted by Labour, we suggest the way forward for the borough is a complete change."

The Green Party, which saw its first two councillors elected in 2019, said it aims to “lead a Green recovery in St Helens”, end a “relentless assault on green spaces” and to put sustainability at the heart of all our decision making”.

The Greens will be looking to make more gains

Emma van der Burgh of St Helens Green Party, who is standing in Blackbrook, said: “St Helens is turning Green. We are on our way to becoming the second-biggest party on St Helens Council – a strong voice in the council chamber for people who have had enough of being taken for granted.

“One of the lessons from the pandemic is that we cannot return to business as usual. Our aim is to lead a Green recovery in St Helens, to end this council’s relentless assault on our Green Belt, green spaces and natural habitats, and to put sustainability at the heart of all our decision making."

She added: “This year it is more vital than ever that Greens are elected so that we can fight for a fairer, Greener future for all. We aim to restore people’s trust and faith in local politics, to work with our political opponents as well as our friends, and to take power away from the town hall and closer to local communities.

“This election is an opportunity for voters to hold Labour to account and to reverse years of neglect. It’s about restoring integrity and honesty to local politics. It’s about building for the future – a local economy that supports independent businesses, thriving town centres, investing in education and training to meet the demands of a low carbon economy, modern, affordable public transport, creating a borough that really is cleaner and greener, and delivering a zero carbon St Helens by 2030.”

There are several independent candidates standing in the elections. These include Kate Stevenson, standing in Rainhill who said she aims to "represent the best interests of the people of Rainhill, and to chase long overdue investment in Rainhill from St Helens Borough Council."

Kate Stevenson

Mark Hitchen, standing in the town centre ward, has raised the issue of knife crime and vandalism, said: "It’s time that local people had a voice, instead of relying on local politicians who are forced to take the Labour whip.

"We need more police patrols so our children are safe to play on our green areas, more youth clubs with more youth workers and we desperately need to invest in mental health and suicide awareness".

Mark Hitchen

Terry Maguire, standing in Earlestown, said: "I intend to be a truly independent voice in our town, not one that is constrained by what you must do for your party and having to vote the way you are told and not the way you wish".

Others independent candidates standing are Allen Makin (Bold); Dave Hawley (Sutton) and Martin Ellison (Parr).

Meanwhile, the Social Democratic Party is standing one candidate in St Helens town centre.

SDP candidate Glynn Jones

Candidate Glynn Jones said: “The message I’m getting across is instead of being apathetic and staying at home and not voting, you have to send a message and vote for an alternative party.

“Vote SDP because, even with a reduced turnout Labour would still get in which wouldn’t send a message to them.”

The For Britain Movement has two candidates standing and The Trade Union and Socialist Coalition has one standing.

Some key wards to watch out for

There are several key battles taking place across the borough.

Some wards to look out for include Bold, which saw a Green gain from Labour last time round. The ward sees Stuart Barton standing for Labour with Andrew Donnelly the Green candidate. Ex-council leader Liberal Democrat Brian Spencer is standing in the ward, with Conservative Barbara Woodcock and independent Allen Makin also contesting the seat.

Meanwhile, Haydock ward is another which saw Labour fall to the Greens this time. With incumbent Anthony Burns standing in Blackbrook this time, Paul Lynch is standing for Labour, with Paul Hooton contesting the ward for the Greens. Judith Collins is standing for the Tories and Linda Collins for The For Britain Movement.

Newton is another ward to watch out for. It saw the Liberal Democrats take a seat from Labour last time round. Incumbent deputy council leader Seve Gomez-Aspron stands for Labour with Phil Cass contesting the seat for the Lib Dems. Lisa Cunliffe stands for the Tories and John Richards for the Greens.

Rainhill sees another intriguing fight. The ward has seen independent candidates win seats in the last two local elections. Former council leader Barrie Grunewald stands for Labour with Kate Stevenson the independent challenger. Henry Spriggs stands for the Tories and Phillip Speakman for the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition.

COVID-19 regulations

The council has planned for Covid-19 secure elections, with changes to polling station venues and safety measures.

Social distancing will limit how many people are allowed in polling stations.

People are asked to wear a face covering, unless exempt, and sanitise their hands on entry and exit.

Elections for the city region mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner also take place on Thursday. Ex-policeman Malcolm Webster, from St Helens, is among the candidates for PCC standing for Reform UK.

• The election count will take place the following day, Friday. You can follow live coverage of the results on sthelensstar.co.uk