Transport, housing, and ongoing concerns over the Beddington incinerator are among the key issues being raised by parties vying to run Sutton Council, as voters head to the polls on Thursday, May 7. A total of 228 candidates will contest all 55 seats in the South London borough, which has been under Liberal Democrat majority control since 1990.
Current Council Composition
The council currently comprises 28 Liberal Democrats, 20 Conservatives, three Beddington Independent Residents, two independents, and two Labour councillors. However, this election sees an increased presence from Reform UK, which is fielding candidates in all 20 wards. Professor Tony Travers of the London School of Economics suggested that Nigel Farage's party could disrupt the long-standing Liberal Democrat–Conservative balance. He told the BBC: "There are parts of the borough which voted Leave in the 2016 referendum, which could well be won by Reform, but probably not to the extent that the Liberal Democrats lose power."
Conservative Party Manifesto
Roads and Waste
- Fix roads and potholes by prioritizing the worst defects first.
- Audit pavements and prioritize key walking routes.
- Ensure reliable waste collections with clear communication.
- Deliver consistent street cleaning standards across all areas.
- Hold contractors accountable and enforce contracts if they fail to deliver.
High Streets and Local Centres
- Implement a defined strategy for long-term investment in town centres.
- Drive footfall by encouraging activity and improving access.
- Work directly with local traders to support their businesses.
- Create cleaner, safer spaces with better lighting and visible enforcement.
- Host street markets, seasonal events, and community activities.
- Make public spaces more inviting with better seating.
Transport and Parking
- Lobby Transport for London for improvements at major junctions.
- Review road layouts to reduce pinch points and congestion.
- Use real-time conditions to manage traffic more intelligently.
- Support high streets with short-stay and free parking options.
- Ensure fair, consistent, and transparent parking enforcement.
- Review Controlled Parking Zones to reflect current needs.
Safety and Enforcement
- Bring enforcement services in-house for direct control.
- Take immediate action against contractors who fail to meet standards.
- Provide a stronger, visible enforcement presence in problem areas.
- Respond faster to issues like fly-tipping and prevent recurrence.
Housing and Neighbourhoods
- Implement stronger scrutiny on planning decisions, especially for Houses in Multiple Occupation.
- Enforce consistent housing standards across the borough.
- Ensure residents' voices are heard in planning decisions.
Green Spaces and Parks
- Guarantee that public parks will never be built on.
- Maintain well-kept, safe, and highly usable green spaces.
- Ensure parks have appropriate facilities for sport, recreation, and families.
Listening to Residents
- Conduct genuine consultations before making decisions.
- Keep residents clearly informed.
- Follow through on raised concerns rather than just recording them.
- Run a council that takes responsibility and does not pass the blame.
Green Party Manifesto
Accessibility and Transport
- Improve access with ramps, handrails, benches, shelters, better wheelchair charging, and more public toilets.
- Tackle pavement parking.
- Protect concessionary travel.
- Improve bus links and support accessible local transport options.
Environment
- Review transport strategies.
- Plant more trees.
- Support walking and cycling.
- Pursue net zero by 2030.
- Explore limits on diesel vehicles.
- Assess schemes such as ULEZ and LTNs.
Crime, Education, Energy, and Housing
- Focus on prevention by expanding affordable sports and activities.
- Improve recruitment and retention of school staff.
- Improve home insulation and work with housing providers.
- Explore a council-run energy company.
- Offer support for household energy upgrades.
- Increase affordable and social housing.
- Bring empty homes back into use.
Diversity, Health, Planning, and Local Economy
- Promote equality and support refugees and asylum seekers.
- Commit to ethical investments.
- Improve access to NHS services and campaign for free adult social care.
- Strengthen resident involvement in planning.
- Support fair business costs and diversify high streets.
- Promote low-emission delivery and transport.
Waste and Recycling
- Tackle fly-tipping.
- Improve waste services.
- Expand recycling options.
- Oppose increased incineration.
Labour Manifesto
Cost of Living and Safer Communities
- Help residents manage rising costs and promote government support.
- Create secure jobs and encourage fair play.
- Increase local policing, better lighting, and invest in CCTV.
Housing, Environment, and Transport
- Build more affordable council homes and support younger residents.
- Improve air quality and street cleanliness.
- Review the Beddington incinerator and expand waste solutions.
- Address climate change and flood risks.
- Protect green spaces.
- Consult residents on transport schemes, with decisions based on local support.
Health, Education, and High Streets
- Protect local services and support St Helier Hospital.
- Reduce waiting times.
- Support schools and improve SEND provision and transport.
- Revive town centres and expand access to sport and leisure.
- Support businesses.
Listening and Accountability
- Improve resident engagement.
- Promote ethical council practices.
- Strengthen local decision-making.
Liberal Democrats Manifesto
- Create a District Centre Plan for every high street.
- Campaign to extend St Helier Hospital's Emergency Department.
- Identify and improve 50 neighbourhood hotspots.
- Introduce a borough-wide Rental Standards Charter.
- Launch a Community Green Movement with multiple initiatives.
- Promote Sutton as a centre for science and culture.
- Give residents more control over community funding decisions.
Reform UK Manifesto
Environment and Council Services
- Move away from net zero and focus on lowering energy costs.
- Cut wasteful local government expenditure and provide efficient services.
- Move away from DEI-focused hiring.
- Push back against cuts to key services.
Council Tax, Streets, and Crime
- Stand against any further council tax increases.
- Improve street cleaning, tackle fly-tipping, and fix potholes faster.
- Take a zero-tolerance approach to antisocial behaviour.
- Support police enforcement and stop and search.
Planning, Environment, Health, and Local Economy
- Support sensible development that works for residents.
- Resist car-free developments where parking is needed.
- Protect parks, ponds, and natural spaces; encourage biodiversity.
- Support local NHS services by examining council support and holding NHS leadership accountable.
- Oppose taxes that discourage enterprise and work with local businesses.
- Support Sutton high streets.
Transport
- Review and remove unnecessary traffic restrictions; remove 20mph limits and return to a 30mph default.
- Consult on the impact of ULEZ and seek changes to anti-driver policies.
Sutton Independent Residents Manifesto
- Push for more resident-focused investment in Beddington.
- Strengthen controls on HMOs to protect family housing.
- Improve street cleaning, tackle fly-tipping, and fix potholes faster.
- Offer support for home insulation.
- Improve air quality and pursue local carbon reduction targets.
- Review the SDEN programme and ensure value for council tax.
- Carry out a full review and overhaul of SEND provision.
- Campaign for better access to GP services, particularly in Beddington.
- Increase recycling rates and reduce incineration of recyclable materials.
