Voters across Sheffield are set to head to the ballot box this May as councillors gear up for Sheffield City Council’s local elections next month.

A third of Sheffield’s councillors will contend their seat on Thursday 7 May with 28 out of 84 seats set to be contested.

As the deadline for the window to register to vote (11.59pm on Monday 20 April) is fast-approaching, Sheffield Wire has sat down with some of Sheffield City Council’s councillor candidates and they have shared their outlooks on the upcoming election and what they hope to offer their constituents.

Minesh Parekh is the Labour Party candidate for Crookes and Crosspool and is currently serving as a councillor for the ward. He said he wants to continue being a voice for the people of his ward.

“Every week, we go canvassing on the streets and if people see changes around them, they are more likely to be engaged in politics.

“Crookes and Crosspool have seen new shop fronts, benches and fruit trees be put in place and the immediate surroundings have been improved.

“There have been improvements to public transport, extended the schools breakfast club scheme and introduced warm spaces for people struggling with the cost of energy bills.

“I want to focus now on increasing affordability, decarbonisation and ensuring there is enough council housing for the most vulnerable.”

Dylan Lewis-Creser, 21, is the Green Party candidate for Crookes and Crosspool. They said the victory of Hannah Spencer in the Gorton and Denton by-election has proven Green is not a wasted vote and can win anywhere.

They said: “I joined Green Party at the age of 13 because I was very concerned about the environment and they were the only ones who cared about nature.”

Dylan said people want to see a councillor who actively listens and works on their behalf.

“My main priorities for the Crookes and Crosspool ward is making sure local businesses and social enterprises can develop by receiving council support, for residents to be more empowered in planning decisions and to instil a sense of pride in our community,” they said.

“I want to extend the mandatory landlord licensing across the city as everyone should be able to step into warm, safe spaces.

“I am resistant to austerity, the way local government is currently being funded is unacceptable as central government are not providing enough funding.

“Politics should be for the ordinary person, it should not be scary. It is the people who matter in politics rather than the big national machines. We are all accountable to the electorate and the ballot box.

“I love Crookes, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. I have strong, progressive values and want to inject more hope into a better system and better future.”

Terezia Rastos, founder of community organisation Welcoming Cultures UK, is the Labour Party candidate for the City Ward. She said her experience in human rights advocacy and inequality research sets her apart from other candidates.

Terezia Rastos, Labour Party candidate for City Ward, Photo Credit: Terezia Rastos

She said: “As a mum, Roma woman and a human being, we need to make sure we are taking every single opportunity to educate people that their vote will make a difference and to not underestimate the power of the vote.”

Terezia said she wants to help build a city which is equal for everyone from every culture.

“People have put their faith in me so my main aims are to reduce crime, promote cultural cohesion and make sure local residents in the city are economically active,” she said.

“I connect strongly with local people and I have big ambitions to fight inequality and create politics which recognises people’s needs, presence and their visibility in the community.

“I want to make sure there is free public transport for everybody in the city aged 18 and below.

“We have a lot to be proud of in the city and celebrate. I want to oppose racism and promote pride in community to make the city and people stronger.”

Sheffield Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Reform UK candidates were approached to contribute to this piece but did not respond to interview requests.

You can register to vote by following the link below: Register to vote – GOV.UK.