LABOUR county councillors have launched their vision for Gloucestershire ahead of the campaign for upcoming local elections at Shire Hall.

The group at Gloucestershire County Council are the first to launch their manifesto for the hotly contested election for all 53 seats on Thursday May 4.

Labour, which is currently the third biggest party with nine councillors, is promising to deliver “truly public services based on the need for a cooperative, compassionate and efficient county council”.

The Labour group have announced their key areas as:

  • Highways Gloucestershire
  • Homes and Communities
  • Transport and Environment
  • Long-term and Elderly Care
  • Youth and Education

Lesley Williams, Stonehouse councillor the Labour leader, said: “I am very proud to announce this blueprint for what a Labour run county council would look to achieve.

“I am also proud to announce that these policies were created by speaking to families across the county.

“We asked them what they would like Gloucestershire to look like and, in response, we have created a manifesto that serves their needs. It is based on the principles of equality, opportunity and co-operation.

“Whether it is our policy to bring Gloucestershire’s roads back under public control, our ambition to eliminate holiday hunger for all primary school children, or to create a truly compassionate care service, this manifesto is a roadmap for Gloucestershire.”

Steve Lydon, councillor for Dursley and Labour finance spokesperson, added: “This manifesto is based on sound local government policies and is deliverable. There is nothing in this manifesto that isn’t being delivered by other councils across the country.

“The Tories have had run of the mill in Gloucestershire for over a decade now and have produced nothing. This manifesto offers a thought-through road map to better services under the fiscal constraints that this council has. I am proud to put my name to it.”

Labours five key policies are:

  • To bring back control of Gloucestershire’s roads from its Highways contractor AMEY
  • To create a countywide transport body that will be made up of elected members, officers and residents
  • To re-invest in Early Years Intervention programmes such as children centres
  • To work with all public bodies to continue to build truly affordable homes on council owned brownfield land
  • To create a county council cooperative care company to deliver outstanding care to every resident, not just a few

The last elections took place in 2013 and saw the Conservatives emerge as the largest party, with 25 councillors.

The Liberal Democrats are the second largest party with 14 and Labour come behind them with nine. There are two independents councillors, one Green, one UKIP and one vacant seat.

If you aren’t already, you can register to vote by visiting www.ov.uk/register-to-vote, but must do so by the April 13.