A would-be councillor is hoping the ward of Crawcrook and Greenside will turn green when Gateshead's local election results are revealed on Friday May 6.
Since 2018, the Gateshead Green party have made substantial gains in the ward.
The Green's candidate Diane Cadman came third in 2018's local elections, securing 282 votes or 11.4% of the vote share.
Read More: Gateshead council local elections 2022: The candidates and seats to watch
However, by 2019, this had shot up to 653 votes or 25.8% of the votes, securing a comfortable second place, more than 400 votes ahead of the Tory party.
The 2021 election saw yet more gains by the Greens in Crawcrook and Greenside with Diane Cadman receiving 920 votes, 31% of the turnout.
Labour still maintained a lead of 321 votes, but could the Green Party secure its first councillor in Gateshead this time around?
The Chronicle spoke to the Green Party's candidate in Crawcrook and Greenside, Jack Philipson, to talk about the campaign, residents' concerns, and the current situation with the council.
"Everything is going quite well," Mr Philipson said. "Voters are being very responsive on the doorstep. I think there is a good chance the Greens will get in this time."
"I think particularly in this ward, it's that people feel that we [The Green Party] are really going to listen to what people are concerned about, because I think a lot of people feel that they are let down by Labour councillors.
"That they don't particularly take an interest in the problems they are experiencing. Hopefully, people are taking an interest now in making the council more sustainable and the climate emergency at a local government level."
Traffic and congestion were key concerns the Greens picked up on in Crawcrook.
"Particularly in Crawcrook, roads are quite small and we get quite a lot of traffic through. Particularly in one estate near to Emmaville school, which is full of parked cars during the school run which residents find quite difficult."
Mr Philipson also raised concerns speed limits may not be as well enforced in the area as they should be. The Greens also aim to pose opposition to more housing developments throughout Gateshead.
Such schemes are "not well integrated into the village" according to Mr Philipson, and he maintains the land used would be better off as a green belt.
"There's another housing development on the horizon that we would like to try, if not outright stop, not allow another build of car dependent, poorly thought out houses" Mr Philipson commented.
The Greens are also ensuring they are no longer seen as a one-issue party, and the manifesto aims to tackle societal issues and economic issues.
"I am very much concerned with the cost of living crisis and would support whatever can be done within the framework of the council to try and alleviate the burden on the most vulnerable families."
Mr Philipson claimed that Labour's dominance in Gateshead has led to issues within the borough.
"I think it's one of those things where if you have a party that gets in over and over again and does not face strong opposition then people can become complacent. Unfortunately in a lot of places in Gateshead there is very little campaigning done and people feel disconnected from local democracy."
Hugh Kelly, the Labour councillor for Crawcrook and Greenside seeking relection this year, responded: "For the last 15 years Crawcrook and Greenside has had Labour Councillors, before that they had Lib Dem Councillors.
"People vote for Labour because of the values and policies the Labour Party hold and these are shown in action by the Labour Councillors.
"Gateshead Council isn't 'complacent', it has spent the last 10 years managing an over 50% reduction in Government funding while trying to maintain standards for running services such as grass cutting, bin emptying, providing care for children, disabled and older people.
"We door knock across the ward all year round, every weekend we cover an area to talk about local issues and community problems and we then help negotiate resolutions of these. We also produce regular Councillors ward newsletters ( three/four times a year) that are distributed door to door. We also have a ward Facebook page.
"As a Councillor I am also involved in helping organise and run local events and organisations in partnership with community organisations like Our Villages, Transition West in Gateshead, Greenside Community Centre, Greenside Pit Banner group, Banner Tales, Barmoor Hub and a few others.
"We regularly support community organised environmental events such litter picks and the recent tree planting in Greenside. I am also a member of the Governors of Greenside Primary school.
"Gateshead Council is committed to being Carbon Neutral by 2030 and have just carried out a major consultation on how all our communities can work together to achieve this. All Councillors are community climate change champions.
"One way in which we can help people meet their person targets to reduce their carbon footprint is by encouraging the concept of recycling, repairing and re-using a whole range of items, this is something I have been working on with the Transition West Group.
"We also have Durham Wildlife Trust working on a number of environmental restoration projects in the ward that I regularly help with.
"I am leading a campaign in the Council to develop a policy that ensures all our rural villages have access to charging points for electric cars and I have been working with the Derwent Valley Electric car club to share the good practice of that initiative to our ward and other areas."
One the ballot sheet for the ward will be:
- Christopher Anthony Coxon (Conservative)
Oliver Christopher Martin Wiliam Jones-Lyons (Liberal Democrat Focus Team)
Hugh Peter Kelly (Labour)
Jack Phillipson (Green)
Voters will take the polls on May 5. However, Gateshead council's count will not start until 9:30am on May 6.
How do you think the Green Party will do in Gateshead? Comment below.
