Worcester City Council election: a closer look at Warndon Parish South

And while one long-standing Tory councillor is hoping to be comfortably re-elected again on May 5, recent results indicate this could be a much closer contest than usual.

Warndon Parish South has been home to long-standing Tory councillor Andy Roberts since 2006 and having kept his Warndon county council seat last year with a huge 1,289-vote win ahead of Labour, he will be hoping to repeat the success again on May 5.

What makes the contest interesting is that Green candidate Andrew Cross, who is vice chairman of Warndon Parish Council, will be standing again having pushed Tory colleague Lucy Hodgson very closely in the last contest in the ward back in 2019 losing out by just 34 votes in a nail-biting finish.

The second-placed finish for the Greens came after the party finished third a year earlier with just 82 votes and fourth in 2015 more than 1,400 votes behind Tory Lucy Hodgson in a contest held on a day which also saw a general election held.

Andrew Cross also finished third in neighbouring Warndon Parish North in 2018, more than 500 votes behind Tory winner Stephen Hodgson.

Andy Roberts has picked up some big wins in the past – usually picking up more than half the vote – and secured 400-plus vote wins in front of UKIP in 2014 and Labour in 2018.

The busy ward is home to modern housing estates and further development, traffic, congestion and with its close proximity to Worcestershire Royal Hospital, parking is a huge issue.

The further edges of the ward include land between the A4440 and the M5 and the growth of the city and its appetite for more land for housing and industrial, retails and office sites will always affect the ward.

RUTH COATES (LABOUR)

“For most of my working life I have worked in the charity sector. I am currently the deputy director of operations at a mental health charity. Our services are experiencing huge demand in the wake of the pandemic, with sharp rises in mental health issues in children, young people and adults.

“I volunteer with the ‘Worcester Welcomes’ group, supporting all refugees and asylum seekers to the city.

“I have successfully obtained practical and emotional support for all our newly arrived people, from over 60 volunteers.

“Worcester Welcomes has supported 17 individuals including five children to settle in Worcester, from Afghanistan and Syria, and are working to see how we can support any Ukrainians who arrive.

“The Villages are a superb area to live in and enjoy, especially with all the green spaces and abundant wildlife, all of which needs to be protected. But the area is not without its problems. New developments, speeding traffic and anti-social behaviour are key concerns locally.”

ANDREW CROSS (GREEN)

“My wife and I moved to Warndon Villages in Worcester 23 years ago and I have worked here ever since.

“Over the past few years, I have become increasingly involved in trying to improve things for our area: planning, sustainable economic development, transport and air quality - these are all interlinked and need attention.

“If elected, I will listen to local residents and work with people of all political and religious beliefs, for the benefit of our communities, the environment and for the sustainable economic prosperity of Worcester. I will help create a plan to protect our valuable woods, green spaces and ponds.

“Working together, without party politics getting in the way, will benefit everyone.”

ANDY ROBERTS (CONSERVATIVE)

“If accused of wanting to protect my ‘back yard’ I would respond that it is proper for my focus to be on the community, particularly as I’m the only candidate who lives in the ward.

“So, I will continue to work with others to protect our parks and green spaces and ward off inappropriate planning developments, doing what is right for our area. 

“I also take the wider view, as a governor at Lyppard Grange School, a Board member at St Richards Hospice and the County’s lead councillor for children and families.

“Successes have come through my non-political engagement.  Applying conservative values to help the police tackle crime and antisocial behaviour, enabling the WEG to enhance biodiversity and supporting the Lyppard Hub with its great work.

“I’m committed to seeing that the new high school is completed, seeking a crossing on Woodgreen Drive near the bridleway and minimising crime and disorder.”

JOHN RUDGE (LIBERAL DEMOCRAT)

"I have lived in Warndon Villages since 1996. I am married to Sally, and we have two grown-up children – and a dog.

"I have spent my career teaching English in local state and private schools as well as for the local authority in the pupil referral system. All of these posts have given me an insight into the needs of students and the concerns of parents when it comes to the important issue of our education system.

"The reason I am standing as a candidate for the Liberal Democrats is because I feel very strongly that they have the ability to represent local opinion on the council. My concern in Worcester is that there is a very narrow representation of views in the local council which is a serious weakness in our current system.

"I enjoy asking the difficult questions that need to be asked to ensure that local residents feel that their views are listened and responded to, and would welcome the opportunity to listen to and represent your views at the city council level."