Power, democracy and community is at the heart of the Kirklees Liberal Democrats campaign for seats on Kirklees Council.

And the party, currently of 11 councillors, believes democracy can be better in the borough.

Campaign signs on lampposts focuses on issues at the heart of each community – in the Colne Valley they’re highlighting the need to save green spaces.

But the party’s leader, fielding candidates in all 24 seats in the 23 Kirklees wards, highlighted the current flaws as well as what their candidates will do if elected.

Clr Nicola Turner, Lib Dem leader, said: “The Liberal Democrats are determined to ensure that children, young people, vulnerable and older people are looked after in every one of our communities.

“However we recognise that finances are tight for the council at the moment and that choices have to be made about where to prioritise spending.

“We believe that the cost of councillors should be reduced in line with everything else and have called on council to implement our proposals, which would save £72,000 a year.”

Devolution remains a buzz-word in Kirklees, with plans to hand greater powers over issues like street cleaning to four new committees, but Clr Turner says little has been achieved.

She added: “We want to see communities having a real say in how things are done in their local areas, not Labour’s idea of devolution where all decisions are still made by the Cabinet.

“Labour has wasted £30,000, paid to the four Chairs of District Committees, to come up with a new way of working. All they have come up with so far is the system we already have.

“We are committed to having a plan for local development. Labour has failed to put in place a plan and this has led to developers applying for housing on green field sites. We want to make sure that brown field sites are built on first and that the green belt is protected.

“We are angry that Labour has found money for ornate shop fronts in Dewsbury and for a concrete rock in Milnsbridge, whilst at the same time they are threatening to close libraries and stop other essential services like road repairs and street cleaning.

“Liberal Democrats will make sure that people are listened to and have real influence over what happens in their area.”

The local election vote takes place on May 7 and results will be announced on May 8.