Election profiles: Worcester City Council's St Clement ward

This patch, which covers parts of St John's and the glorious riverside, has more than enough Conservative and Labour voters to make it a genuine contest, and that's been a consistent trend over the years.

Back in 2012 it was the city council's leader, Councillor Simon Geraghty who had to defend his seat - and for some time on that May night he was made to sweat before retaining it with a majority of just 191.

This year it's Conservative Chris Mitchell's turn, who was elected for the first time four years ago with 156 extra votes over Labour, which is always the main challenger here.

Councillor Mitchell has made rapid strikes up the Tory ranks and is the current cabinet member for finance, playing a big part in this year's council tax freeze for the city council's portion of the bill.

But it won't be easy, with Labour again eyeing it up for a potential scalp under activist Jordan Powell.

It's a four-way contest this year, with UKIP's Richard Delingpole hoping it will be third time lucky.

He stood in the next-door ward of St John’s last year and finished second, and the year before tried to get onto Worcestershire County Council in the riverside ward, which covers an enlarged version of the same patch, without luck.

Peter Nielsen, from Worcester Green Party completes the four, a former Labour councillor in Worcester at county and city level during spells in the 1970s and 1980s.

He was a parliamentary candidate three times for Labour in 1979, 1983 and 1987, and tried again as an independent five years ago, giving him vast experience.

Given the ward's location there is much interest in the riverside and flooding, a situation which has improved considerably in recent years due to the Hylton Road bund.

And due to its location near St John's shops, the viability of existing retail in the 'village in the city' is also an important local issue, not to mention the Hylton Road trading estate, where an Aldi supermarket is set to move into the PC world unit.

Leafy and pleasant, it's a desirable place to live, and in recent years millions has been spent on improving that riverside corridor, with more investment afoot.

But expect this count to be a close one.

RICHARD DELINGPOLE (UKIP)

UKIP has started a revolution across the country that is confounding traditional perceptions about left and right.

We are drawing support from former supporters of all of our political opponents, and they don’t like it. This revolution is as relevant at local council level as it is at a national level.

UKIP city councillors will give the Guildhall the shake-up it really needs.

None of the UKIP candidates are career politicians.

We are all working people from all walks of life who, little by little, have had enough of a three-party system where every party is more than happy to be governed by the unelected assembly that is the European Union.

Only UKIP wants to take the power back from Europe and let the British people start controlling their own borders, making their own rules and governing themselves again.

I’m a graphic designer and artist and was born in Worcester. I live in St Clement ward and work for a local company. I have two teenage children.

CHRIS MITCHELL (CON)

It has been my pleasure to have represented St Clement Ward since 2011.

Over the last four years I have been able to help local residents with many issues.

Locally, I championed the introduction of tougher planning and licensing rules to control the growth of homes of multiple occupation.

I secured a further £500,000 to make the most of our riverside and deliver city centre improvements.

Along with Conservative colleagues I have reversed Labour’s cuts to street cleaning and play areas and identified £25,000 to help keep our riverside clean and tidy.

I have on a number of occasions highlighted local concerns and fought against over development.

Working with Robin Walker, I have sought to lobby the government for extra resources to complete the dualling of the Southern Link Road, including the Carrington Bridge, to relieve congestion on the west side of Worcester.

As the cabinet member for finance, I have delivered a balanced budget for the next three years which protects services, whilst cutting car parking charges and keeping city council tax down.

If re-elected I will continue to stand up for the people of St Clement.

PETER NIELSEN (GREEN)

I have been a Worcester councillor in the past, and worked in IT at Kays, in engineering and as a lecturer. I feel that the council is tired and out of date.

It needs to change to play its part in making Worcester a truly attractive place in which to live, work, play, support the arts and bring up children.

In this way, we can attract inward investment, tourism, support green industry and enjoy a stronger community spirit that treats people as citizens, not just consumers.

I regard housing as a human necessity, not a speculative market and would bring empty properties and flats above shops back into use and expand the stock of affordable and social housing through the planning system.

We need to make Worcester a safe cycling city, with a healthy environment and a road network serving people with disabilities, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.

The Green Party’s time has come. It really is time for a change. Please give me your support on Thursday, May 7.

JORDAN POWELL (LAB)

I am Worcester born-and-bred, now raising my little son in my home town.

I live locally, attended local schools, and recently graduated from the university. I know what life is like, and I am a fighter.

Like so many people, I know what it is like to struggle for work but keep on trying, and worry what might happen to my child in the future.

Using a wheelchair, I am used to overcoming challenges and obstacles, making sure that I am not overlooked or taken for granted.

This life experience is vital as a councillor, and is second-nature to me.

Speaking to residents, I know people worry about the impact of the university as a recent graduate, I know I can bring people together.

This ward has been under-represented and forgotten about for too long.

The issues here of traffic, building and local facilities are central to the future of a developing city.

I am totally different from other councillors and candidates, and know I can make a difference.