The Labour candidates set to contest the Chadsmead ward by-election say they are hoping to restore “balance” to Lichfield City Council.
Caroline Wood and Mark Taylor will be bidding to fill the void left by the resignation of Conservative duo Michael Fryers and Michael Fryers Jr last month.
The duo are targeting a number of key issues as they bid to wrestle the seats away from the Tories – including controversial new housing developments.
“We are aware of the circumstances within the Conservative group that led to the resignation of the two councillors,” said Mr Taylor, who has served previously as a City Councillor. “It is an unfortunate consequence of having one political party dominating an important body like this. If elected we will bring greater balance and considered debate to the council chamber.
“The Lichfield area needs more affordable homes for its expanding population but this must not happen at the expense of the city’s green-belt, which stops Lichfield becoming an ugly urban sprawl. We know that there are developers who would love to make a huge profit by building on this land.”
As well as the Labour duo, the ward is being contested by Conservatives Lesley Warfield and David Connolly, Liberal Democrats pair Paul Ray and Marion Bland, and one-time District Council UKIP candidates John Maunder and Eileen Cope.
Polls will be open in the Chadsmead ward between 7am and 10pm on September 20
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Caroline is well known in Lichfield as a Chiropodist, working in the community and visiting people’s homes. She knows at first hand the issues affecting the ordinary people of the city. Caroline said, “When there are so many important issues affecting the people in Lichfield, such as housing and affordable transport, we need policies that work, based on experience rather than right-wing policies.”