Candidates standing in the upcoming Cumberland Council election have shared their top priorities for the ward they hope to represent.
Voters will take to the polls on May 5 to elect Unitary councillors for the new authority.
Candidates standing for the Mossbay and Moorclose ward in Allerdale have highlighted the main issues they hope to tackle in the area.
Neil Schofield
Labour
I am delighted to be able to stand for election to the new Council of Cumberland and hopefully to represent the people of Moorclose and Moss Bay. I live in the ward with my family and I recently became a member of Workington Town Council representing Westfield.
My priorities are to ensure top quality services without any loss of continuity. It is important that the services that look after our parents and grandparents and children is excellent and reliable. I am very keen to ensure that our roads and transport links are maintained and improved. I would like to see more road safety measures on local residential roads to reduce speeding and accidents. I also believe that we need to provide far more facilities for young people in a safe environment and that will entail investing in more activities for them. Finally, I am appalled at the injustice of food and fuel poverty and would like to see Cumberland do more to end these inequalities.
Jacqueline Kirkbride
Conservatives
My name is Jaqueline Kirkbride, and I am honoured to be standing for Moorclose and Moss Bay.
I’ve lived in the Moorclose area for most of my life, and I proud to say that I have raised my family here.
I want to do everything in my power to ensure that the people of Moss Bay and Moorclose receive the representation they deserve and I pledge to hold regular local surgeries to hear your concerns.
For too long they have been left behind, which is why I am so passionate about being a strong voice for my community.
I see the key priorities as developing more play amenities for children, ensuring the ward is kept clean and tackling antisocial behaviour.
If elected, I am determined to help end the climate of hate and political division across the ward.
I feel that this is not serving the residents well, and it is important that we all learn to work together to help regenerate Moorclose – and to secure vital investment.
Stephen Stoddart
Independent
Mr Stoddart declined to contribute to the article.
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