OVERSHADOWED by the General Election, there will also be an election for the city council on the same day.

A third of the seats are up for grabs with 19 contests as well as a by-election in Cheriton and Bishop’s Sutton caused by the resignation of Conservative Harry Verney.

The council is on a knife-edge with the Conservatives holding 26 seats, the Liberal Democrats 24, Labour three, the Independent group two, an independent Malcolm Wright and one vacant.

The Tories are defending ten of those, the Lib Dems six, the Independents three and Labour one.

The Big Three are contesting all 20 seats; UKIP are fighting 12 and the Greens five.

This is an unusual election as those elected will probably only serve for a year until an all-out election in 2016 caused by the Boundary Commission’s proposal to cut the number of councillors from 57 to 45.

Among the issues are handling of Silver Hill and council transparency, the future development of Station Approach and River Park Leisure Centre, traffic and affordable housing

There are lots of interesting personal stories. Malcolm Wright left the Tory group because of Silver Hill in February but is back in the fold contesting Wonston and Micheldever.

The former boss of Winchester Area Community Action, Paul Williams, is standing in St Bartholomew ward in the Hyde area for the Lib Dems. It was held by former mayor Sue Nelmes.

TV reporter Nigel Burwood, a well-known face from his time at Meridian, is fighting Colden Common and Twyford for UKIP.

Trying to make a comeback in Swanmore and Newtown is former council leader Sheila Campbell who lost her seat in 2006.

Rebel Silver Hill councillor Kim Gottlieb whose court case has embarrassed the ruling Tory group is the official party candidate in Itchen Valley; his supporter Rose Burns is the official candidate in St Bartholomew.

A large number of Cabinet members are up for election: council leader Frank Pearson, Ernie Jeffs and Patricia Stallard as well as former leader Rob Humby who resigned over Silver Hill in February.

Trying to replicate the Clintons in political dynasties is Liz Hutchison who is standing in St Paul ward in place of her husband Robert.

Some candidates will be rather busy. Gemma McKenna battles for Labour in the Upper Meon Valley and is also contesting the Meon Valley in the General Election.

In Winchester Michael Wilks is contesting for the Greens both the General Election and the St Bartholomew ward.

The General Election will boost turnout for the city council poll – who will that benefit? Who knows! Last time just 44 per cent of the electorate bothered to vote.

 

The full list of city council candidates:

(asterisk) Denotes sitting councillor

 

Bishop’s Waltham

Roger Bentote, Lib Dem

Colin Chamberlain, Independent*

Steve Haines, Lab

Tom Ruffell, Con

Vivienne Young, UKIP.

 

Colden Common and Twyford

Nigel Burwood, UKIP

Susan Cook, Con

Sarah Critcher, Lab

Daryl Henry, Lib Dem*

 

Compton and Otterbourne

Chris Barton-Briddon, UKIP

Eleanor Bell, Lib Dem

Margaret Rees, Lab

Jan Warwick, Con*

 

Denmead

Leslie Mitchell, UKIP

David Picton-Jones, Lab

Margaret Scriven, Lib Dem

Patricia Stallard, Con*

 

Itchen Valley

Antony De Peyer, Lab

Kim Gottlieb, Con*

Robin Rea, Lib Dem

 

Littleton and Harestock

Kelsie Learney, Lib Dem*

Peter Rees, Lab

Paul Twelftree, Con

 

Owslebury and Curdridge

Tom Houghton, Lib Dem

Rob Humby, Con*

Steven Jakubowski, Lab

Mark Jones, UKIP

 

St Barnabas

Eileen Berry, Con*

Pat Maier, Lib Dem

Toby North, Lab

Malcolm Perrins, Green

 

St Bartholomew

Rosemary Burns, Con

Kathy East, Lab

Michael Wilks, Green

Paul Williams, Lib Dem

 

St John and All Saints

Bob Barnes, UKIP

Ben Farnes, Lab

Adrian Hicks, Ind,

Callum Kennard, Lib Dem

James Peploe, Green

Jonathan Scowen, Con

 

St Luke

Ross Playle, Con

Kia Pope, Green

Jamie Scott, Lib Dem*

Max Stafford, Lab

 

St Michael

Julia Hallmann, Green

John Henderson, UKIP

Fiona Mather, Con*

Sharon Montgomery, Lab

Andrew Thompson, Lib Dem

 

St Paul

Joshua Curgenven, Green

Liz Hutchison, Lib Dem

Carol Orchard, Lab

Steve Russell, Con

Derek Smith, UKIP

 

Swanmore and Newtown

Sheila Campbell, Lib Dem

Laurence Clough, Lab

Dan Paddock, UKIP,

Frank Pearson, Con*

 

Whiteley

Andy Baker, Con

Gary Gray, Lab

Sam Newman-McKie, Lib Dem*

David Walbridge, UKIP

 

The Alresfords

Robin Atkins, Lab

Ernest Jeffs, Con*

Stephen Pinch, Lib Dem

 

Upper Meon Valley

Norma Bodtger, Con*

Judith Clementson, UKIP

Gemma McKenna, Lab

Anne Stoneham, Lib Dem

 

Wickham

Caroline Brook, Con

Angela Clear, Lib Dem*

Ian Norgate, UKIP

Paul Sony, Lab

 

Wonston and Micheldever

Peter Marsh, Lab

Katy Toms, Lib Dem

Malcolm Wright, Con*

 

Cheriton and Bishop’s Sutton (By-election)

Christopher Day, Lib Dem

Amber Thacker, Con

Tessa Valentine, Lab

See full election coverage online and in the Hampshire Chronicle