IN the first of our profiles ahead of next month’s local elections, today we are taking a closer look at the city’s Arboretum ward.

Joy Squires has so far been re-elected twice in Arboretum for Labour after first securing a place in the two-councillor ward in 2008 and is hoping for a hat-trick on May 6 in the delayed local elections.

In fact, the ward has traditionally been a strong heartland for Labour for many years and there will be a big hope that it will be remain so in the tightly contested battle for control of the Guildhall.

Labour’s margin of victory has fluctuated over the last couple of elections having come up triumphant by 225 votes last time out in 2019 and 568 votes in 2016, 299 votes in 2015 and 478 votes in 2012 before that.

In 2019, the Green Party came closest to toppling Labour’s grip on the ward but was still more than 200 votes off successful Labour candidate Jenny Barnes.

The Green Party has put its faith in campaigner Karen Lewing to build on bridging the gap.

The Conservatives came within 275 votes of Labour in 2019 and this time have selected local businesswoman Anja Potze as its candidate in Arboretum.

Having skipped the ward in recent elections, the Liberal Democrats are again fielding a candidate in the shape of Jon Taylor who came fourth in the five-horse race in 2019 just 17 votes ahead of last-placed UKIP.

The decaying former Sansome Walk swimming pool has remained a constant eyesore in the ward ever since closing in 2017 but with progress now being made on replacing it with affordable housing - it looks as though the pool will finally be gone for good.

More housing can, more often than not, come with more cars and the Arboretum ward is no stranger to parking problems.

A resident’s parking scheme was introduced late last year with the hope of alleviating some of the problems but the prospect of more, if necessary, housing could add to the woes of existing Arboretum residents.

Locals have often said they were reluctant to use their cars in the middle of the day as the spaces outsides their homes would be gone by the time they returned and it it will be a struggle to see how more housing in the area will do anything but exacerbate the long-standing difficulties.

Nevertheless, it will be somewhat of a relief to see the former swimming pool demolished for much-needed affordable housing.

On the subject of big schemes, the county council’s plan to build a new walking and cycling bridge from the old Kepax landfill site to Gheluvelt Park has gathered a lot of pace in the last year.

Karen Lewing (Green)

“I have lived in Arboretum for more than 15 years with my husband and two children, who went to school in the city.

“I am an architect by profession and until 2014 I worked for Worcestershire County Council where I focused on designing sustainable and healthy buildings.

“I now work as an active travel officer.

“I am very keen to work to preserve and enhance our green spaces. I want to see Worcester become a city where it is natural and easy to walk, cycle or use public transport to get around.

“For this reason I am in favour of the Kepax Bridge as long as measures are put in place to safeguard local wildlife.

“The Green Party will prioritise efforts to tackle the dual emergencies that face us –climate break down and loss of biodiversity, while also promoting the health and wellbeing of all the city’s residents.”

Anja Potze (Conservative)

“I was born in the Netherlands but came to the UK when I was 21.

“I have lived in the city for many years and run an award-winning independent jewellers based in Friar Street.

“I’m passionate about ensuring Worcester is a place that businesses want to invest in and continues to be a fantastic place to live. To that end I am active in a number of organisations designed to promote the economic success of the city.

“If elected, my priorities would be tackling congestion and parking problems as well as combating crime and anti-social behaviour and working to enhance our community and environment.

“When it comes to local elections, I believe residents want a councillor who will work hard, be there when needed and provide a strong voice for our community.

“Arboretum ward is already a great part of the city but I believe that together we can make it even better.”

Joy Squires (Labour)

“As councillor for Arboretum, I have always put residents at the heart of everything I do. I have worked hard alongside residents and community organisations to resolve issues and concerns, improve the area and fight their corner at every level.

“Two key issues are currently dominating in Arboretum – the Sansome Walk swimming pool and the Kepax bridge. I have kept residents fully up to date with progress and have represented their views robustly at every opportunity.

“I have also worked hard for Worcester as a whole, fighting for better wages for the low paid, better working conditions and for decent housing. As chair of the environment committee, I have been at the forefront of tackling climate change and am personally committed to improving biodiversity. I am determined to help build a better, fairer and greener Worcester – where everyone feels safe, feels valued and with opportunity for all.”

Jon Taylor (Liberal Democrat)

“Jon has lived in Worcester for over 30 years.

“He is a mental health nurse and lives with his partner in Lansdowne Road.

“He is particularly concerned about traffic congestion and pollution in Worcester and will work to help create a fully integrated transport system that doesn’t exclude people from driving in the city, but provides better choices including park and ride with fully connected bus, cycle and pedestrian routes.

“Jon will fight to address the housing need in Worcester, including building new properties for social rent with the security of longer tenancies.

“He will also work to bring the 1,200-plus empty properties in Worcester back into use.”