Local government elections on 4 May

[T_i_B]

I thought I might as well post this here and ask if anyone has local government elections coming up soon and, if so, what are the big issues round your neck of the woods?

Personally, I've just moved to a different town very recently and as a result I have not been able to get on the electoral register in time. :-( Mind you, there aren't any local elections due in Chelmsford (where I was before) this year and to tell you the truth I'm not too keen on any of the main parties anyway so I suppose it's no great loss.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4853862.stm

Local elections are being held on Thursday 4 May with 4,360 council seats up for grabs across England. Voters are having their say in all 32 London boroughs and 144 other local authorities across the country.

Some 36 Metropolitan authorities and 20 Unitary authorities will elect a third of their council. Eighty-eight districts will also have polls, most electing a third of their council. Hackney, Watford, Newham and Lewisham will hold mayoral elections.

There is also a referendum taking place in Crewe on whether the people want an elected mayor.