Local elections "chance for Norwich to have say in city's short and long-term future"
13 councillors from Norwich City Council are up for election this Thursday
Last updated 4th May 2022
Polling stations in Norwich will be opening tomorrow for local elections and we're all being encouraged not to miss our chance to have a say on everyday matters that affect our daily lives.
"Really important issues that local authorities have tremendous power over"
That's according to Professor Alan Finalyson from the University of East Anglia, who told us that those living in the city shouldn't underestimate the power their council has: "Norwich City Council has significant powers in planning and development in the local area, but also in the provision of support for people who are in need, and more broadly setting the goal and the strategy for economic development and economic support in the area.
"Stuff like, How you are going to attract more tourists? Where are you going to put houses and how is that going to affect people.
"In fact I'd go as far to say that lots of the things that affect us in our local and daily lives, how it feels to walk around where we live, how accessible things are and issues around crime and how safe and clean our streets are all really important issues that local authorities have tremendous power over.
"That's going to maybe make them make a quick calculation"
He also went on to tell us that he and his colleagues won't be the only ones watching the results, with great interest: "MPs in the so called 'Red Wall Seats', the traditionally Labour seats that the Conservatives took in 2019, they want to retain them, but Labour have to win them back if they want to get back into power, those MPs are going to be looking very closely at the results in their local elections and seeing how good, bad or indifferent it is for them and that's going to maybe make them make a quick calculation as to their future and therefore what they should do with the Prime Minister."
Local elections in Norfolk:
Norwich City Council is the only local authority in Norfolk holding elections this year.
13 of the 39 city councillors will be up for election on Thursday. This equating to one for each of the thirteen wards in Norwich.
Polling stations will be open across the City from between 7am and 10pm.