Across West Northamptonshire, voters will elect 76 councillors in 35 different wards. More than 350 candidates are standing from ten political parties, as well as a number of independents. Find a full list of candidates here.
Chronicle & Echo has reached out the leaders of the parties to ask them about four topics that matter most to our readers.
Over the next few days we will be publishing a series of articles, detailing the responses we have received from some of the political parties competing for your votes on polling day on Thursday May 1.
Next up is the issue of fly-tipping and littering. We asked the leaders what their party intends to do to address the issue if they are elected.
We received responses from the Conservatives, the Green Party, the Heritage Party (which has one candidate standing in Dallington and Spencer), an Independent candidate, Labour, the Liberal Democrats, Reform UK and the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition.
Below are the responses from those parties regarding the issue of fly-tipping and littering, in alphabetical order of party name.
Chronicle & Echo also contacted The Social Democratic Party and The Labour and Co-operative Party - who have candidates standing in West Northamptonshire - but we did not receive a response.
If any independent candidates would like to offer their response to this issue, please email [email protected].
9. Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
Katie Simpson, chair of the Northampton branch of the TUSC, said: "The privatisation of waste collection has led to an increase in fly-tipping. Residents are required to pay £31 for the collection of up to three items, yet these items are often left on the street for days because Veolia fails to collect them. Littering is exacerbated by overflowing bins and a lack of community engagement. We need to return waste disposal to public ownership with democratic control and investment to increase staffing and improve the quality of equipment. Free waste collection should be prioritised, with a focus on recycling, reusing, and renewing to create jobs, foster community engagement, and reduce our carbon footprint. We will also campaign for local communities and trade unions to demand more funding from the national government. A successful example of this can be seen with Liverpool City Council in the 1980s, when they secured an additional £60 million from Thatcher’s government." Photo: Submitted