Guide to the candidates in County Council vote

CANDIDATES contesting the Dunmow seat in the Essex County Council elections tomorrow (June 4) are stepping up their preparations. Polling stations will be open between 7am and 10pm. For more information visit www.essex.gov.uk Here is our guide to the five

CANDIDATES contesting the Dunmow seat in the Essex County Council elections tomorrow (June 4) are stepping up their preparations.

Polling stations will be open between 7am and 10pm. For more information visit www.essex.gov.uk

Here is our guide to the five candidates:

Conservative - Susan Barker

Susan Barker has been the county councillor for Dunmow for the past eight years, including stints as chairman of the health scrutiny committee and Stansted community trust.

She said: "I was pleased to have secured �30,000 for Dunmow's new town square. This project will greatly enhance the area outside Dunmow's new Library."

Her main concerns are government imposed housing numbers and expansion plans at Stansted Airport.

Lib Dem - Alan Thawley

Alan Thawley names his main priorities as improving recycling and getting better cooperation between all the districts in the county.

The semi-retired scientist said: "I was on Uttlesford District Council for 12 years and lead the revolution that doubled recycling to 58 per cent, one of the highest in England.

He added: "The proposals to site large developments around Great Dunmow need to be resisted. I favour smaller housing areas with local jobs that would help sustain existing local communities."

Labour - Bill McCarthy

If elected, Bill McCarthy says that he plans to oppose the proposed selling off of any of the county council services to private sector buyers.

"Selling off services represents a loss of control and we want to do something about it," he said.

He also highlighted that he wants to help his party pull the plug on the Uttlesford street lighting trial which has seen street lights being switched off in the district during night hours to save money and limit environmental cost.

BNP - Lynne Turpin

Lynne Turpin lists her main priorities as opposing building and development on green belt land. If elected she also intends to oppose plans to build a number of traveller sites across the county including some in the Uttlesford District.

The BNP is calling for a return to traditional education by encouraging school competition, both in sport and academically. The party also wants to stop councils "wasting money".

Green Party - Simon Whittle

Party candidate Simon Whittle says that climate change is at the top of his list.

He says that fossil fuels need to be gradually reduced and that renewable sources of power should become a major priority.

He has committed to ensuring that more cycle ways and pavements are constructed and wants to end the plans to build an incinerator near to Braintree.