Today we meet the candidates contesting the Cheltenham division of Hester's Way and Springbank
Elizabeth Fox, Conservative
A lifelong Conservative, Elizabeth has lived in Cheltenham for the last eight years. She has been married to her husband Charlie for the past 43 years and, following a diverse career in insurance and training, she is now retired.
She strongly supports Gloucestershire Conservatives track record in freezing council tax and in protecting the funding for the most vulnerable people in our community – unlike most councils elsewhere in the country.
If elected, she will back the Conservative pledge to freeze council tax for two more years and will work to improve the condition of roads in the area, helped by the Conservative pledge to double the money available for each councillor to spend on road repairs in their area.
Joanna Hughes, Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts
Joanna Hughes lives in Cheltenham with her husband and three sons.
Former Labour Party member, Joanna works in the probation service. Her experience has made her keenly aware of the impact of spending cuts on individuals and communities.
She says: "cuts in housing benefits, the bedroom tax, youth unemployment and homelessness are barriers to the rehabilitation of offenders which could lead to an increase acquisitive in crime". Joanna is concerned about privatisation of the probation service and is an active campaigner against the privatisation of the NHS and the proposed cuts to A&E services in Cheltenham. She believes ordinary people deserve representatives who will resist unjust austerity policies and privatisation and who work for their welfare, not on behalf of business interests and lobbyists.
Suzanne Williams, Liberal Democrat
Suzanne has lived in the Springbank/Hesters Way area most of her life as a Council tenant and a home owner. Her son attends All Saints' Academy.
Suzanne thinks that the two biggest issues in the area are the condition of our roads and the future of Coronation Square, which she fears will never again be the thriving shopping centre that it once was.
Other smaller, but just as important areas that are in need of development, are the former Tungum Hydraulics factory, Arle House and Springbank shops.
Suzanne and her colleagues have spent many hours talking with Council Officers and developers about these sites and they recognise that the development of them is important to the way the area is perceived. Suzanne hopes that residents will continue trust her to do the best for them and the area.
Clive Harriss, Labour Party
Four years of Conservative control have failed the people of Gloucestershire. Faltering adult care services barely meet vulnerable peoples' needs.
Cheltenham's roads crumble, the repair backlog grows, our library service severely cut back with falling support for the voluntary sector.
The low county 35% recycling rate is rubbish.
If it were better there would be no need for new incinerators and landfill sites.
Labour in Gloucestershire is committed to improving care for the elderly and vulnerable, extending facilities for after schools clubs, libraries and parenting support. For the introduction of a Youth Travel Card for under 18's and for keeping public control of health and education.
With your help, by voting Labour on 2nd May - we can begin to to create a better council and fairer future for all of us.
