Transport, housing and ongoing concerns over the Beddington incinerator are among the key issues being raised by parties vying to run Sutton Council, as voters head to the polls on Thursday (May 7).
A total of 228 candidates will be contesting all 55 seats in the South London borough which has been run by a Liberal Democrat administration for over three decades, after they first gained a majority in 1990.
Barry Lewis is the current leader of the council, having taken over from the long-serving Ruth Dombey in May 2024. The borough is also represented by two Lib Dem MPs, who took both the Sutton & Cheam and Wallington & Carshalton constituencies from the Conservatives in 2024.
The council is currently comprised of 28 Liberal Democrats, 20 Conservatives, three Beddington Independent Residents, two independents and two Labour councillors. However, this election will see an increased presence from Reform UK, who will be standing candidates in all of the borough’s 20 wards, which each have between two and three councillors.
Professor Tony Travers of the London School of Economics said Nigel Farage’s party could disrupt the long-standing Liberal Democrat–Conservative balance in Sutton. He told the BBC: “There are parts of the borough which voted Leave in the 2016 referendum, which could well be won by Reform, but probably not to the extent that the Liberal Democrats lose power.”
“So – Lib Dems to lose seats but probably just about to retain control,” he added.
Parties have now released their local manifestos, covering areas as varied as policing and crime, housing and green spaces. Here’s a summary of what all the major parties are promising, should they take power this Thursday:
Conservative Party
Roads and waste
- Fix roads and potholes by prioritising the worst defects first
- Audit pavements and prioritise key walking routes
- Ensure reliable waste collections with clear communication
- Deliver consistent street cleaning standards across all areas
- Hold contractors accountable and enforce contracts if they fail to deliver
High streets and local centres
- Implement a defined strategy for long-term investment in town centres
- Drive footfall by encouraging activity and improving access
- Work directly with local traders to support their businesses
- Create cleaner, safer spaces with better lighting and visible enforcement
- Host street markets, seasonal events and community activities
- Make public spaces more inviting with better seating
Transport and parking
- Lobby Transport for London (TfL) for improvements at major junctions
- Review road layouts to reduce pinch points and congestion
- Use real-time conditions to manage traffic more intelligently
- Support high streets by offering short-stay and free parking options
- Ensure fair, consistent and transparent parking enforcement
- Review Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) so they reflect current needs and residents’ concerns
Safety and enforcement
- Bring enforcement services in-house to ensure direct control and accountability
- Take immediate action against contractors who fail to meet standards
- Provide a stronger, visible enforcement presence in problem areas
- Respond faster to issues like fly-tipping and take action to prevent recurrence
Housing and neighbourhoods
- Implement stronger scrutiny and robust planning decisions, particularly regarding Houses in Multiple Occupation
- Enforce consistent housing standards across the entire borough
- Ensure the voices and concerns of residents are properly heard and considered in planning decisions
Green spaces and parks
- Guarantee that public parks will never be built on
- Maintain well-kept, safe and highly usable green spaces
- Ensure parks have appropriate facilities for sport, recreation and families
Listening to residents and building trust
- Conduct genuine consultations and listen to communities before making decisions
- Keep residents clearly informed
- Follow through on raised concerns rather than just recording them
- Run a council that takes responsibility, makes no excuses and does not pass the blame
Green Party
Environment & climate action
- Reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency in council buildings
- Expand electric vehicle charging and active travel infrastructure
- Enhance biodiversity and ensure planning policies require climate resilience
Affordable housing & sustainable development
- Focus development on brownfield sites and diversify housing delivery partners
- Enforce planning conditions and private rented sector standards
- Target long-term empty and derelict homes for reuse
Inclusive local economy & cost of living
- Provide targeted financial and crisis support to residents
- Use procurement to support small businesses and local employment
- Expand apprenticeships and green skills training
Children, young people & special educational needs
- Strengthen youth services and mental health support
- Reduce delays in assessments and improve Education, Health and Care Plans
- Involve young people in local decision-making
Safer communities
- Address anti-social behaviour through early intervention and youth engagement
- Introduce targeted CCTV, improved lighting and better street design
- Enforce penalties for fly-tipping, environmental crime and vandalism
Waste, recycling & resource use
- Hold the local incinerator operator accountable for environmental compliance
- Support reuse initiatives and promote pop-up skips
- Streamline services and improve coordination with neighbouring authorities
Parks, open spaces & community assets
- Maintain accessibility and safety of parks and sports facilities
- Protect green spaces through strict planning policies
- Promote community stewardship of local assets
Governance, finance & community engagement
- Involve residents earlier in decision-making and priority setting
- Strengthen procurement, contract management and risk reporting
- Prioritise statutory services and avoid speculative investments
Arts & culture
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- Support local arts, inclusive events and performing arts networks
- Develop a borough-wide street art strategy and integrate art into new developments
Labour
Cost of living
- Help residents manage rising costs
- Promote government support
- Create secure jobs
- Encourage fair play
Safer communities
- Increase local policing
- Better lighting and safety measures
- Invest in CCTV
Housing
- Build more affordable council homes
- Support younger residents
Environment and cleanliness
- Improve air quality and street cleanliness
- Review the Beddington incinerator
- Expand waste solutions
- Address climate change
- Tackle flood risks
- Protect green spaces
Transport and parking
- Consult residents on schemes, with decisions based on local support
Health and care
- Protect local services
- Support St Helier Hospital
- Reduce waiting times
Education and inclusion
- Support schools
- Improve SEND provision and transport
High streets and community life
- Revive town centres
- Expand access to sport and leisure
- Support businesses
Listening and accountability
- Improve resident engagement
- Promote ethical council practices
- Strengthen local decision-making
Liberal Democrats
High streets
- Create a District Centre Plan for every high street
Healthcare
- Campaign to extend St Helier Hospital’s Emergency Department
Local areas
- Identify and improve 50 neighbourhood hotspots
Housing
- Introduce a borough-wide Rental Standards Charter
Environment
- Launch a Community Green Movement with multiple initiatives
Economy and culture
- Promote Sutton as a centre for science and culture
- Give residents more control over community funding decisions
Reform UK
Environment
- Move away from net zero and focus on lowering energy costs
Council services and governance
- Cut wasteful local government expenditure and provide efficient services
- Move away from DEI-focused hiring
- Push back against cuts to key services
Council tax
- Stand against any further council tax increases
Streets and repairs
- Improve street cleaning, tackle fly-tipping, and fix potholes faster
Crime
- Take a zero-tolerance approach to antisocial behaviour
- Support police enforcement and the use of stop and search
Planning
- Support sensible development that works for residents
- Support local services before bringing more high-rise developments
- Resist car-free developments where parking is needed
Environment
- Protect parks, ponds and natural spaces
- Encourage biodiversity
Health
- Support local NHS services by examining council support and holding NHS leadership accountable
Local economy
- Oppose taxes that discourage enterprise and work with local businesses
- Support Sutton high streets
Transport
- Review and remove unnecessary traffic restrictions; remove 20mph limits and return to a 30mph default
- Consult on the impact of ULEZ and seek changes to anti-driver policies
Sutton Independent Residents
Local investment
- Push for more resident-focused investment in Beddington
Housing
- Strengthen controls on HMOs to protect family housing
Streets and repairs
- Improve street cleaning, tackle fly-tipping, and fix potholes faster
Energy and homes
- Offer support for home insulation
Environment
- Improve air quality and pursue local carbon reduction targets
Council services
- Review the SDEN programme and ensure value for council tax
- Carry out a full review and overhaul of SEND provision
Healthcare access
- Campaign for better access to GP services, particularly in Beddington
Waste and recycling
- Increase recycling rates
- Reduce incineration of recyclable materials
