From potholes to planning: key issues in England’s 2 May local elections

Local issues – from bin collections and potholes to health services – could test the strength of government in Westminster. Composite: Guardian Design/Alamy/Rex/Shutterstock

This week’s local elections have been widely described as one of the toughest tests of Rishi Sunak’s 18-month premiership, with Westminster-watchers considering the results as portents of his fate in the coming national poll – considered to be coming this autumn.

But while some voters in England may use their vote to bloody his nose this Thursday, a host of more local issues are also likely to influence the results.