The Sentinel has asked every candidate standing for wards in the local elections for Newcastle and Stoke-on-Trent to submit 100 words explaining why people should vote for them. In the event that a candidate has submitted more than 100 words, the submission has been cut from the bottom to the nearest complete sentence around 100 words.

Here are the replies received by The Sentinel for the Stoke-on-Trent City Council candidates.

Sharon Baggaley: Fenton (Independent)

I was born in Blurton, lived here all my life. I am married with one daughter.

I campaigned for a crossing in Heron Cross, for the safety of the children at the school.

We now have our crossing, which was much needed.

I am vice-chair of Governors at the school, and I love helping out whenever I can with the children.

I had my own Security business back in 2000, based in Fenton. Most of my working career has been in security or administration.

I feel what is needed in this city, is more women on the council.

Shaun Bennett

I believe that we need to completely re-think the way we do things in the city. We need a clean sweep through the Town Hall to remove many of the councillors and officers that have failed and kept the city back for decades.

We must follow the example set by other local authorities in cutting back on waste and inefficiency. The council should concentrate on delivering excellent essential local services and then cut the high council tax burden we face. Crime and anti social behaviour also needs to be tackled by working closely with the police.

Nathan Brittain (UKIP)

I am 18 years old, and standing in the Newcastle-Under-Lyme borough council elections in Maybank Ward for UKIP.

I would love to be able to inspire young people to be more involved in Politics, and get people interested in their community and local issues.

Austin Cooke: Norton and Bradeley (Conservative)

As a community, we want more from local government – not less!

Local politics should be about real people, real lives, and real change!

Stronger policing through the local Neighbourhood Policing Units

Enhanced Council Services: community groups, refuse collection, road conditions, and a freeze on council tax giving more for less.

Improving Housing, Local Environment, and Neighbourhood Services – the biggest areas of council complaints

I will…

Speak actively at Council meetings to drive the local agenda

Consult you about changes to your community

Get the best we can for every penny of the council tax we pay

Drive real change for Norton and Bradeley.

Terry Cope (BNP)

I am 59 years old and work as a heavy goods fitter. In my younger days I served in the army and the RAF and enjoyed every minute of it.

The reason that I am standing for election is that I am sick and tired of being lied to and betrayed by the Lib/Lab/Con gang. I have seen my dear country go from being a decent and righteous place to live and bring up a family to become the laughing stock of the world.

I love Britain and that’s why I’m standing up for the BNP, the only party that will make Britain great again.

Denver Tolley: Longton North (Labour)

I’ve served Longton North for over 20 years. I live here and I love the place.

We’ve worked hard tackling anti-social behaviour. We’ve increased policing, we’ve got youth services out on the streets, and we’ve made the Council use their tough new powers.

We’ve got big choices to make – particularly the issue of the new school -and I want a two school solution, with a school, in or around Longton to serve our children. Big decisions need local knowledge and experience – things I’ve got plenty of. I hope I’ll get the chance to keep serving the area I love.

Lilian Dodd

I have lived in Dresden for 37 years and have always been actively involved representing the local community. At present, I am the secretary of Dresden Residents Association and the treasurer of the Queens Park Partnership in Longton Park. I am also a Neighbourhood Watch Co-coordinator in Sutherland Avenue, where I live.

I retired in January 2009 and have 26 years experience of Local Government.

I have a good understanding of all aspects of how the city council is run at

Present. More importantly, I have seen first hand, the deterioration of front line services.

Michael Durkin (BNP)

I am very proud to be your local BNP candidate. I’m 63 years old and also proud to say I am Stoke on Trent born and bred. Currently retired, I spent over twenty happy years serving in the Fire Brigade.

I joined the British National Party because if elected I’m determined to make a difference. Perhaps like you, I’m outraged at how some of our local Politicians on the City Council have behaved, dragging the name of our city through the mud. There is currently yet another police investigation regarding possible corruption underway, this time regarding the awarding of demolition contracts.

Joy Garner

Four years ago I was elected by listening to the people of Burslem North and am doing so again. Hundreds of questionnaires I sent out were returned by local people setting out their priorities for the area including tackling anti social behaviour, nuisance motorcycles and keeping the area clean. By working with the police and other partners a great deal of progress has been made.

It worries me that the Tories and Lib-Dems who now run the council will be cutting services over the next year and if re-elected I will be fighting to ensure the people of Burslem North get a fair deal from the council.

Peter Hayward: Trentham and Hanford (Independent)

I’m new to politics, like the majority of residents in the area I’m annoyed that my wishes and views, are increasingly ignored by two of our three incumbent councillors, last year these two actually pressed for the closure of Trentham High School.

I promise to listen, and I’m confident that I’ll be able to make a positive difference to existing services and facilities. I also want to meet with individuals and voluntary groups in the area, to help increase community participation in our local decision making processes, and produce a programme of “wants” to seriously work on once the next four year term starts

Steven Issard (BNP)

I am standing up for the area in which I live – the Stoke and Trent Vale Ward in the upcoming local election. The main reason that I’m putting myself forward is because I feel betrayed by the establishment parties (Lib/Lab/Con); they simply don’t represent my views, my values or my interests any more.

The BNP does represent the interests of my family and the community that I live in and that’s why I want them to succeed; it’s why I’m asking for your support today.

I believe passionately that we need a big change in politics in this city.

David Jones: Berryhill and Hanley East (Conservative)

If elected as your local councillor I will commit to:

Never claim any travel expenses, unlike your current labour councillor who claimed over £2,300 last year alone;

Hold fortnightly drop in sessions so that fellow residents of Berryhill and Hanley East can come and voice your concerns

Demand the Council become more transparent - you need to know where your money is being spent

Work for the best possible outcome for Berryhill High School

After 40 years of living in this ward I know and want what is best for it. We need a Councillor who deserves the right to represent us.

Adrian Knapper: Berryhill & Hanley East Ward (Labour)

Being, Born and bred in the Bucknall area, my heart has remained within the community in which I grew up. At this election, I will be standing on the pledges of the Labour Group: to make Communities Safer (with the introduction of an anti-social behaviour hit squad to tackle problem hotspots); creating more jobs for young people (with apprenticeships); and ensuring dignity for older people (by providing more support for dementia care). On a local level, I am committed to keeping Finney Gardens City Farm open and will continue to fight for a community secondary school at the Mitchell Site.

Mark Leat: Longton North

I say that we should halt immigration now and put local people first on the housing list and make it mandatory that jobs are offered to local people first. These are the two main areas that people from Longton talk about on the door step.

When local youths are asked what they would like to see in Longton they ask for more sporting facilities such as Power League, swimming pools etc. I will campaign and try to achieve this. This will also please local residents because it would help to reduce anti social behaviour.

Ian Mitchell (Independent)

*Support to Residents Associations

*Supporting Penkhull Residents Association in the placement of the Welcome to the Village Stone.

*Supporting Hartshill Residents Association in the introduction of Notice Board in Hartshill Road.

*Instigated the setting up and development of Basford and Cliffe Vale Residents Association and their first Saturday “Fun Day”.

*Use Residents Association and PACT, PACC and public events as a means of gathering information and issues logs.

Anti-Social Behaviour

*Brought in Outreach Youth Workers to work with youth group congregating around the Laundrette in Penkhull.

*Continue to support the Police and the Outreach Youth Workers in the reduction of Anti-Social Behaviour across the ward.

Mohammed Pervez (Labour)

I have spent 20 fruitful years working with local people to bring positive change to our area.

Grange Park cycling/walking tracks and the Middleport Medical Centre at the heart of our community are just two examples of what we have achieved together. However, more needs to be done. Our ward deserves cleaner streets, parks and open spaces; less anti-social behaviour and crime; more regeneration bringing new jobs and better housing. That’s why I am standing for re-election: to fight for more positive change and to continue my advice surgeries, home visits and working with community organisations to solve people’s problems.

Paula Roberts (BNP)

I am standing up for my people in Tunstall. It must surely be clear to all thinking people that the establishment parties (Lab/Lib/Con) don’t represent the interest of the British people. From mass immigration to bailing out the corrupt banking system and fiddling their expenses these parties are all the same.

The BNP is different, that is why the establishment media are always attacking us. They don’t like us because we speak the truth and they know that when we achieve power we will re-establish British Justice – and the present corrupt regime will not fare well.

Anthony Simmonds (BNP)

I live locally on Meir Hay and have served this community to the very best of my ability as your elected councillor.

By far the most serious issue affecting the ward when I was elected four years ago was the terrible anti-social behavior that was affecting all of the community. I consider it my greatest contribution to the community that I worked closely with the police, the council and the community to reduce ASB by half within two years.

I am also very keen to make sure that our elderly neighbours are well catered for, making them safe in their homes.

Alby Walker (Independent)

Having served and worked with the Abbey Green community as a ward councillor for four years I feel that together we have made significant improvements to the area such as the Abbey ruins improvements, landscaping to the Woodhead road bungalows, Bagnall road traffic calming, Malstone Avenue drainage scheme plus many many more physical improvements to the whole of the ward.

Combined with this is the feel good community work like the revival of the carnivals in Abbey Hulton and Milton, Christmas trees, lights and celebrations and helping Milton Scouts plus reducing ASB and also sorting out hundreds of residents problems.

Lee Wanger

'I believe that I have contributed to the renaissance that has happened in Tunstall over recent years. Tunstall unlike other areas is bucking the trend in regeneration. New shops have opened, new houses built and new leisure facilities provided, and it's not stopping, Chatterley Valley in Tunstall is the areas major employment site with thousands of jobs to be created and we have further areas of land to be developed. Even more new shops are in the process of being built along with a brand new Health Centre, a rebuilt High School and still more houses. One of my jobs is to help keep this renaissance going.

James Whitehurst

I have lived and worked in the city all my life and I am standing for election because I want to put something back into the local community where I grew up.

My main priorities are to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime by working closely with the police and making the streets safer for our children. I am also very concerned about the lack of facilities for elderly and young people-the two groups of society that are too often ignored by government.

I have also been appalled by the state of our roads, particularly following the bad winter that we have just had.

Mark Wright: Trentham and Hanford (Conservative)

Mark is hard working and dedicated to the area. Mark's main priority if elected is to be visible, approachable and proactive in representing the residents of Trentham & Hanford on the City Council. Mark has always lived in Trentham and wants to see continuing improvement across the board for the residents of his community.