Ward focus: Worcester City Council's St Stephen ward

And what makes this area so unique is that the battle being played out involves the Greens, which are aiming for another scalp here.

Once strongly Conservative, over recent years the Green Party has poured resources in and concentrated on St Stephen heavily - and it was rewarded in 2012 when it made an historic breakthrough to win its first ever Worcester seat.

One year later it also took the county council St Stephen seat here, which is held by Green Matthew Jenkins.

Councillor Neil Laurenson, who defeated Tory Keith Burton, a former independent councillor, in the 2012 Guildhall contest, now has his feet firmly under the table and make no mistake, they want 'city seat' number two.

If they are to succeed though, they will need to topple Gareth Jones, a former Mayor of Worcester with vast experience behind him.

Councillor Jones is sitting on a majority of 346 from 2011, the last time he was up for election, which is a solid foundation.

But unlike the three candidates vying for it then, there are now five, including an independent standing on a 'bring Worcester City FC home' ticket.

Krister Halvorsen wants the club playing at Perdiswell, and decided to put his name forward after changing his mind over standing for parliament.

Ironically Cllr Jones is known for his opposition to the club going to Perdiswell, a stance setting him apart from his party colleagues, who have mainly sat on the fence so far.

The Green's big hope is Neal Murphy, an activist who has been campaigning for more 20 miles-per-hour speed limits recently, while Labour is standing Saiful Islam and UKIP has put forward member David Carney.

This is one lively ward, as not only is it home to the potential new Worcester City ground, but it's also the location for the planned £10.4 million swimming pool due to open by the end of next year.

On top of that, there's the noisy Bilford Road tip and the defunct Perdiswell park and ride, which is now mothballed after Worcestershire County Council closed it down last September.

If that wasn't enough to handle, speeding is a big issue around here, with Bilford Road at the centre of the concerns.

There's a lot at stake for the Tories and Greens - expect the result to be close.

DAVID CARNEY (UKIP)

Living in the area, I’m fully aware of the issues of concern to the local community in St Stephen ward and am determined to resolve these, should I be elected.

Change needn’t be a bad thing and it’s time to breathe new life into the council.

I have lived in and around the Merriman’s Hill area of Worcester for the past 12 years with my young family.

I’m a qualified AAT Accountant and former Territorial Army soldier (Royal Engineers).

Vote for positive change; Vote UKIP.

KRISTER HALVORSEN (IND)

Having been a latecomer to politics I feel that I am running not as a “careerist” politician (of which there seem to be far too many locally and nationally) but as a local representative who wishes to help improve Worcester - a place with untold potential for the future.

This is why I am running for city council as an independent - indeed, I am the only non-party Independent candidate running anywhere in the city.

If elected I will function on a fully non-partisan basis – policies Not parties.

I will not vote on issues according to party lines but on the issue itself and what would benefit Worcester and the community.

Amongst the many issues I want to highlight, the main one is the provision of sporting facilities for all members of the public – indeed I am the only candidate within St Stephen who is actively supporting the provision of a Sporting Hub at Perdiswell – and with that the building of the new Worcester City Stadium to bring the club back from exile in Kidderminster.

GARETH JONES (CON)

As your city councillor I have been at the forefront of initiatives to help improve our area and the wider city.

Living locally in Chalfont Close helps keep me in touch with community issues.

I have worked with fellow Conservatives to reverse Green and Labour Party cuts to street cleaning and play areas, secured investment for Gheluvelt Park and fought unnecessary development on Perdiswell.

Responding to local concerns, I have recently been successful in securing new dog bins and a number of street signs.

Another concern is the traffic problems at the junction of Bilford and Astwood roads. As a trained engineer myself, I have suggested a number of solutions.

Finding an effective answer to this problem is high on my agenda.

Anyone who has worked with me over the years will know that I always put the concerns of local people above party politics.

If re-elected I pledge to work on behalf of all residents and to never forget that I am the voice of our community at the city council and not the other way around.

NEAL MURPHY (GREEN)

The city of Worcester is the way it is because of the way we live our lives, because of decisions made by the local council and crucially because of the now many generations that have lived here before us.

How we look after our city today leaves a legacy for our children and our children’s children.

The utter selfishness of national politics causes many of us to distrust ‘more-of-the-same’ local and national politics.

This politics of greed has been seen in the MPs expenses scandal, in every short-term (broken or buy-your-vote) promise, and in the uncharitable, blinkered take on the serious issue of immigration.

It pleases me to find a political party that puts such strong emphasis on social justice and grass roots democracy.

Add in the Green Party focus on climate change and the need to protect our planet and we begin to see a way to live well together, and leave some natural resources for future generations.

SAIFUL ISLAM (LAB)

I AM bringing up a young family in Worcester and am involved in all that brings with it – schools, health, play areas and facilities.

I live in the ward and know the area well.

My experience in running a small business – a successful and extremely popular restaurant and take-away in Worcester – means that I know how to manage my affairs, keep the business running and respond to customers’ demands.

This is all relevant to my aim to be a local councillor. I am able to respond quickly to local residents, and believe I can represent the people of St Stephen at a crucial time.

The potential of the new swimming pool and possibly football club also present challenges to the local area, though from a city-wide perspective they are crucial developments.

The Tory council closing the park and ride has had a bad effect on the area, and the city as a whole.

My aim is to balance these issues and to make sure local people get their say in such important developments for the city of Worcester.

I will be a different councillor to those we have at the moment, bringing youth, enthusiasm and business acumen to the role.