Council leaders face battle
All three of Cannock's political party leaders will face voters at the polls in May as a third of the district council seats go up for grabs. All three of Cannock's political party leaders will face voters at the polls in May as a third of the district council seats go up for grabs. Liberal Democrat council leader Neil Stanley, pictured, and his administration partner, Conservative leader Reg Butler, along with Labour's Doug Thomas, will be fighting for their seats on May 3. A Lib-Dem and Conservative coalition has kept Labour out of power since 2003 but the May elections will be seen as a crucial health check for the administration. Read the full story in the Express & Star
Liberal Democrat council leader Neil Stanley, pictured, and his administration partner, Conservative leader Reg Butler, along with Labour's Doug Thomas, will be fighting for their seats on May 3.
A Lib-Dem and Conservative coalition has kept Labour out of power since 2003 but the May elections will be seen as a crucial health check for the administration.
It has forced through a number of controversial projects in recent years, including wheelie bin recycling and grave headstone safety tests.
There has also been the costly Chase Leisure Village scheme and the sale of the Pye Green Road stadium.
Councillor Stanley said he did not expect much change following the elections and said he still expected to be council leader come May 4.
He said: "I think there will be general support for some of the things we are trying to do and I would urge everyone to use the democratic right and vote whether for us or not."
Councillor Butler said he expected his group to take at least two seats from Labour.
He said the partnership with the Lib-Dems had been a success: "We have achieved more for Cannock Chase in the last four years than the previous administration managed in 20 years."
Councillor Thomas said he expected to take at least one seat from the Tories.
He added: "I think its pie in the sky for the Tories to suggest they will take two seats from us."
In total 15 councillors will face the voters in May.
Labour and the Lib-Dems have six councillors up for re-election with three Tories.
Based on the last results for the seats, Labour's Gordon Ball, in Hednesford South, faces the toughest challenge after he held his seat against the Conservatives by just 44 votes in 2003.
Conservative Simon Hewitt, in Norton Canes, is the second most marginal after he held his seat against Labour by just 48 votes. Labour's Ian Carr also face a battle after there were just 55 votes between him and the Lib-Dems in 2003.
Lib-Dem Ron Turville will be defending just a 97 vote lead against the Tories in Hednesford Green Heath.
