Meet the candidates standing in the St Anne's ward on Sunderland City Council for election on May 6

Voters are due to head to polling stations on Thursday, May 6, to re-elect or replace the holders of 28 seats on Sunderland City Council.

Bidding for the prize in St Anne’s are:

Bryan George FOSTER (UKIP)

Now retired, I have lived in Sunderland for most of my life and believe the decline and hollowing out of our great city needs urgent attention.

Sunderland is a leader in the production of cars.

However, I believe there is a need to broaden its manufacturing base.

By voting UKIP, UKIP will endeavour to end the spiralling increases in council tax whilst looking to improve services across the City.

UKIP will bring much needed TRANSPARENCY and OPEN GOVERNANCE by replacing the secrecy and closed doors (and minds) of the council.

It’s time for CHANGE.

Vote UKIP for a better ST. ANNE’S and a better SUNDERLAND.

Greg PEACOCK (Conservative Party)

I am the Conservative candidate for St. Anne’s Ward.

I grew up in Pennywell and live in the ward.

My aim is to work with residents and councillors to tackle issues which affect us all across St Anne’s.

Over the past year I have engaged with residents via social media to identify issues affecting them.

I have worked with residents clearing fly-tipping sites when the Council refused.

I’ve also carried out litter picks, clearing a children’s play park of broken glass and a car park of nitrous oxide canisters.

I’m not afraid to muck in!

I have reported issues for residents, including fly tipping, winter services requirements, and dog fouling, and campaigned to reinstate services and safety equipment.

I’ve also campaigned for CCTV cameras in the ward to tackle anti-social behaviour, bikers and fly tipping and arranged for new bins to be installed to improve cleanliness.

Peter Arnold WALTON (Liberal Democrat)

I have lived with my family in Sunderland for the last 25 years and I have a strong attachment to the City, having studied here before settling here.

I have worked in the public sector for over 30 years and have been involved in helping individuals and groups to achieve change and improvement, both when working in the Probation Service and more recently as a teacher.

Throughout my working life I have had a strong commitment to public service.

If elected to Sunderland Council, I would work hard and make every effort to hear the views of people living in the ward, with the aim of achieving the best outcomes for the people of Pennywell, South Hylton, Nookside and Havelock – and the wider City – and I think that my experience and values would make me an approachable and effective councillor.

Susan WATSON (Labour and Co-operative Party)

As your Labour candidate, I have lived and brought up my family in the ward.

I have served as St Anne’s councillor for 19 years and have seen many changes over the years including how Government cuts have adversely affected my local communities and residents.

I want to reiterate the message that I have given for all these years which is that I am here to get YOUR voice heard.

I have been blessed with such a wonderful ward where we have changed and adapted to many diverse problems over the years and I want to continue with this work.

I have worked my hardest throughout COVID to help support those most affected and will continue this support for families and local businesses post COVID if I am successfully elected in May.

Support your Echo and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on SAFC and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.