Who to vote for in the 2023 local election

With just one week to go before the local election, you may be pondering which box you will cross on Thursday 4 May.

At the time of publication, 23 candidate pitches have been published on Rochdale Online - why they believe they should be a ward councillor and why you should vote for them.

Both Labour and the Conservative Parties are fielding candidates in all 20 wards.

The Liberal Democrats are fielding candidates in 15 wards, the exceptions being Balderstone & Kirkholt, Bamford, East Middleton, North Middleton, and North Heywood.

The Greens have nine candidates, contesting the wards of Balderstone & Kirkholt, Castleton, Kingsway, Littleborough Lakeside, Milkstone & Deeplish, Milnrow & Newhey, Norden, Spotland & Falinge, and Wardle, Shore & West Littleborough.

There are two independent candidates this year in Balderstone & Kirkholt and Castleton, and one Freedom Alliance in Smallbridge & Firgrove.

You can read all submitted pitches for your ward here:

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/elections/candidates/38

The local council is responsible for a surprising number of services that you use and rely on every day, from housing to street lighting, education to pub licensing, parking to care for the elderly. That's why your vote can make a real difference.

Candidates should email their pitch and a profile photo to news@rochdaleonline.co.uk for inclusion on the site.

Not sure where to vote? Find your local polling station thanks to Democracy Club's polling station finder: