BROMSGROVE Conservatives, who currently control the council, have announced their election candidates.

The Conservatives have selected a candidate for all 31 seats up for grabs.

They currently hold 18 seats on the council – two more than the 16 needed for a majority.

Amongst the candidates standing are Spencer Loades for Alvechurch South, Barry Thornton for Alvechurch Village and Kyle Daisley for Aston Fields.

Phil Thomas, portfolio holder for planning is standing for Avoncroft and Amritjot Nannar is up for Barnt Green and Hopwood.

Council leader, Karen May is hoping to hold her Belbroughton and Romsley seat while newcomer Simon Nock is hoping to join her, while Luv Datta is hoping to swipe Bromsgrove Central from the Lib Dems.

Mohammed Amin is up for Catshill North, Shirley Webb is up for Catshill South and Sam Johnson is standing for Charford.

Council chairman, Rod Laight is up for Lowes Hill and chairperson of the planning committee, Helen Jones is hoping to hold on to her Marlbrook seat.

Kit Taylor is up for Perryfields, Richard Williams is hoping to take the Rock Hill seat from Labour and Drew Beaumont is up for Rubery North.

Former council leader Geoffrey Denaro is up for Wythall West, Michael Thompson has hopped over from Charford to stand for Slideslow and Peter Whittaker is standing for Tardebigge.

Bromsgrove District Council leader, Cllr Karen May, said: “The last four years have been an exceptionally challenging period for all of us, but we’ve worked hard to get the best of Bromsgrove.

“We are investing tens of millions of pounds in your local services, and we’re doing all of this while keeping increases in your council tax bill as low as possible.

“We can keep building on our shared success to make Bromsgrove an even better place to live and work.”