A third of North East Lincolnshire 's councillor positions will be decided at May 4's local
elections . In every single ward, a councillor will be elected. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) sought out the candidates for West Marsh . This will be contested by the three main parties, two independents and the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC). It is a two seat ward, currently entirely held by Labour. This year, Cllr Karl Wilson is seeking re-election. Read more: Local Elections May 4 - full list of candidates for North East Lincolnshire Council
Labour & Co-Operative - Karl Wilson Who are you, and what do you think makes you a good candidate for West Marsh? "I've been a councillor now since 2015, I've been gradually getting the ward better," said Cllr Wilson. He has represented West Marsh since then, but was a councillor for another ward between 2010-14 also. "There's still much more to do," but argued it's got less potholes and fly tipping compared to other areas. "The street scene really is a lot better than it's ever been." Cllr Wilson holds weekly street surgery ward walks and outside of council work is an instructor for first year engineering apprentices. What do you think are the biggest issues affecting West Marsh currently? "Cost of living crisis" said Cllr Wilson. "It's one of the poorest wards not only in the borough, but the country. It's affecting everybody, but it's particularly acute in West Marsh." This culminated in a lot of other things, including fly tipping and crime. He later spoke about drug taking as another ward issue. "I think it needs to be more of a priority," he said of it being addressed. If re-elected, what will be your policy priorities for West Marsh and North East Lincolnshire? "Action on crime to help people stay safe" was a priority. While already working closely with
police, he wanted a Labour-run council so to work even more closely. It was not just crime, but also its causes. "Sort out the social problems that lead to drug taking," he said, admitting these would not be solved, but is keen to make a dent. "I want the council services, both adult and children but particularly children, we need it to be effective." Children's services were "abysmal" and affected a lot of West Marsh children. "If re-elected, I will continue to put party politics aside and try to find solutions because the children are more important than party politics." Cllr Wilson also wants borough road improvements, including cycleways investment for potentially a route from Macaulay Street up to The Willows. Labour's Karl Wilson (Image: North East Lincolnshire Council) He vowed to continue seeking out fly tipping, and more prosecutions of it. Via a Labour-run council, he wanted a free bulky collection every year, dependent on council finances. "Ten per cent of the budget passed was to pay debt off," he said of the Conservative-controlled council's latest budget. "The ambition for the town has slowed down dramatically over the last four years, and we want to escalate the economic recovery," he said of town regeneration. "We've come up with a scheme with West Marsh community centre so that quite a few alleyways can get cleared this year. It won't clean every alleyway, but it will make a dent," he said of this ward-funded project. Finally, Cllr Wilson noted his Labour & Co-operative status and spoke about the cooperative
economy. "We need to grow the cooperative sector." Conservative - Hugh Riches Who are you and what do you think makes you a good candidate? "I'm an old journo and I think I'm a good candidate for the West Marsh because I just want to give it the best public services they deserve for the exorbitant council tax they pay." Hugh Riches is the Conservative candidate for West Marsh. (Image: Hugh Riches) What do you think are the biggest issues affecting West Marsh currently? Crime, keeping the place clean and environmentally friendly, and "just the fact that everything costs too much" for people currently were cited by Mr Riches. He highlighted costs going up in a number of areas, but focused especially on council tax. "For a lot of people in West Marsh, their biggest bill is council tax and I do not think they're getting enough in return." If elected, what will be your policy priorities? Keeping council tax as low as possible for residents was a priority. He linked this to the grant funding opportunities for the council from government. "We've got to try to get as much money as possible from the levelling up policy of the government." He wanted this to be used particularly to redevelop the town. Not able to access our
election issues poll below? Click here . "This is the only opportunity we will ever have to get all this money from central government, so we've got to exploit that. And we have got to make the centre of town more beautiful. "At the moment, it's wasted and ugly." Mr Riches, who also stood in 2019 in West Marsh, added his pride in the ward: "West Marsh is one of the friendliest and most attractive communities in the country." Independent - Keith Watkin Who are you and what do you think makes you a good candidate? "I was fortunate in 1999 to get in with two other independents," said Keith Watkin, a councillor for the area until 2010. "I was born in West Marsh, it's always been a passionate place." Recounting when he used to do family shopping in Grimsby, he said: "The amount of shops down the front, you got to know different people. The pharmacist was like a doctor, there was DIY, everything you wanted from Corporation Road, right down to Gilbey Road." West Marsh ward candidate Keith Watkin (Image: GrimsbyLive/Donna Clifford) What do you think are the biggest issues affecting West Marsh currently? Anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder, and drugs were issues identified by Mr Watkin. "I feel sorry for the residents, they've been plagued with it for so many years," he said, adding also about fly tipping. He had become aware of an over 90-year-old West Marsh resident troubled by rats running around her neighbour's garden. Speaking to LDRS in Duke of York Gardens, where a fence was cropped off, he also noted previous vandalism there. This included a teen shelter set up when a councillor that had two sections removed in the 2000s because of vandalism. If elected, what will be your policy priorities? Scrutinising council promised policies was a priority, and to ensure "someone is made responsible when they don't do it". "It's nowhere near the town it was when I was born and lived here for 70 years." He also was unconvinced about the Freshney shopping centre redevelopment plans. "This type of thing" said Mr Watkin on what he wanted more action on, as a motorbike driven by youths passed through the park. "Some people are frightened to even put their children on the play areas," Mr Watkin said of crime and anti-social behaviour. A key element Mr Watkin wanted to revive was partnership working. "I had the chief constable at 11 o'clock at night doing ward walks," he said when he was a councillor. He continued on a ward councillor's role in this: "If you are there to help and be the in-between, you should be the contact with all the organisations, like your police, your council, your health service, you're their saviour in some cases." West Marsh ward candidate Peter Barker (Image: GrimsbyLive/Donna Clifford) Independent - Peter Barker Who are you and what do you think makes you a good candidate? Peter Barker said he is always in the West Marsh, extensively involved in church and community work there. This included chair of Macaulay Action Group and one stage chair of the Boys Brigade of Great
Britain and
Ireland. He added also of his involvement with Advice Day Committee, later this year giving out free electric blankets in West Marsh. "This is my 26th election, every one in the West Marsh, I've only wanted to represent the West Marsh." He was a councillor for 35 years, last in 2011. What do you think are the biggest issues affecting West Marsh currently? Fly tipping was cited, including "horrendous problems" with alleyways. He helped physically clear some up in his last year as a councillor. "Sometimes, the misuse of the Duke of York Gardens" was another concern. "Most people appreciate it, but there's always the odd person that doesn't value anything." If elected, what will be your policy priorities? "To continue the work I do with churches and community groups and to support youth groups." Half of his chosen charities when Mayor in 2003 were youth groups. He calculated he had fundraised almost £700,000 for church and community groups. He wanted bus service improvements, working with Stagecoach East Midlands. "We are beholden to Stagecoach and they do a good
Job," he said, and was glad some less-used routes still ran. Mr Barker is also keen to preserve the historic heritage and community centres of West Marsh. Liberal Democrat - Marco Lawless Who are you and what do you think makes you a good candidate? "I care passionately not just about this area, but Grimsby borough." He cited his part in the Freshney Comrades and two clean-ups in the last year of the river. Marco Lawless, known to most as Marc, marvelled at the passion people had for the town, as shown by the most recent clean-up. "I get about regularly, get on with people, understand the issues they've got. I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty." He also volunteers at the Fusion Centre. Marco Lawless, Lib Dem candidate for West Marsh (Image: GrimsbyLive/Donna Clifford) What do you think are the biggest issues affecting West Marsh currently? Anti-social behaviour, fly tipping and drug use he identified as ward issues, though this was shaped by West Marsh covering the town centre. "If you work around the Marsh, you will see rubbish everywhere." "We need to get people moving around here, get the community support again." If elected, what will be your policy priorities? "Making the Marsh better, a place where people want to live." He wanted more things for younger people to do. "I know there's talk of Horizon being built, but that's going to take a long time. At the moment, it's talk and no action." The idea of a Grimsby-style equivalent of Hull's Humber Street Sesh was also mentioned. He wanted strengthened support for alleyway community clean ups. "Alleyways being cleaned and people responsible fined instead of going through the town centre for people dropping bits and bobs." Mentioning Holland, he wanted more safe cycling options in Grimsby: "It could be brilliant around here. People who bike through town centres tend to spend more money and stop," he said. He also wanted more trees and wildflowers planted. "I think visually, it makes you have more pride in your area." "People have suggested I should run for a while now." He was not impressed by council meetings' tone. "It's not about me or your party, it's about coming together." Want to sign up to the Grimsby newsletter, but can’t access the link below? Click here . Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) - Heather Davis The LDRS was unable to make contact with Heather Davis, one of 11 North East Lincolnshire TUSC candidates. All TUSC candidates are opposed to austerity and do not think council cuts are necessary. TUSC councillor candidates across the country are standing on the basis of council budgets concentrating on meeting residents' needs first. This could be done with what reserves councils have, or prudential borrowing. If there is a funding shortfall to match needs, TUSC will simply demand the government meets it. Read next: David Burns to leave
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