THE local elections have officially kicked off as all candidates have now been submitted.

Parties have already started campaigning and will continue for the next four weeks.

A total of 20 seats will be up for election on May 2.

Here's how each party promises to change the political landscape in Bolton.

Labour

THE ruling group says it has listened to residents and it is taking action.

Group leader Linda Thomas said: “The Tory Government have cut local day-to-day cash from council services which residents deserve, value and pay for. It’s a staggering loss of £1bn to local people since 2010.

“Your Labour Controlled Council rejects the Tory idea of doing nothing just leave to the market and let the decline continue. You told us to invest in our town centres. We did secure £1bn investment, delivered by our £100m cash injection that has now inspired multiple private sector investment programmes. This has meant we almost immediately have been able to share the benefits of this investment with £16m to breathe new life into our district centres and high streets.

“You told us to change the Borough’s five-year land and housing plan. We did defend and extend our Green Belt and will build homes in the right places that people can afford, not on the Green Belt.

“We talk in our manifesto, which residents can read at boltonlabour.org.uk, about supporting families. You said to protect our children centres. We did expand them - the only council in the country to do so - and maintain our other hubs and satellites.

“You told us to keep our communities safe, clean and green. We did invest an additional £2.6m to address these priorities across all wards.”

Conservative

THE main opposition group pledges to prioritise and deliver on basic frontline services that taxpayers “have the right to expect”.

Group leader David Greenhalgh said: “On May 2, here in Bolton, there is the real possibility of ending 40 years of Labour dominance of the town. During that time, residents have seen Labour watch over the deterioration of a once proud town centre. They see litter and fly tipping at all time high, and the build up of a huge backlog of road repairs with our Highways in their worst state for a generation. They have seen money wasted on vanity projects, and decisions like the ASONS grant made under emergency powers behind closed doors.

“There is a chance for real change, and a change in priorities. Conservatives will prioritise the cleanliness of the borough, we will prioritise repairs to Highways, we are committed to the protection of our green belt and open protected land; and who do you trust more to make the right decisions on the billion pound investment in the town centre?

“This year we are proud to be fielding a truly representative slate of candidates, many of whom are already involved in the wards in which they are seeking election. Probably the youngest set of Conservative candidates with 4 in their 20s, 4 in their 30s, and over half under 50.

“Whatever you think about what is going on nationally, these are local elections that decide who will run our town. If you’re happy with the state of Bolton, that’s fine, but if you’re not, this is that once in a generation chance when your vote matters and you can genuinely make a difference, and tell Labour to step aside and give someone else a go.

“And Conservatives are ready to step up and deliver a better Bolton for all residents of the borough.”

Liberal Democrats

THE minority opposition party wants to establish a more "open" and "transparent" council as well as increasing local decision making and fairer funding for all areas.

It also pledges to try tackle the backlog of maintenance of the Borough’s road network, protect the green belt and change how much councillors get paid.

Group leader Roger Hayes said: "Labour has been in complete control of Bolton for over 40 years, apart from a short spell of Liberal Democrat minority control in 2004 to 2006.

"During that time it has grown increasingly arrogant and dictatorial. That has to change.

"We will be prepared to work with all other Groups in the interests of the borough.

"Every voter in the borough who wishes to vote Liberal Democrat will have the opportunity to do so."

UKIP

THE party which has had a significant presence in Bolton for years now but its local leader is now up re-election.

Group leader Cllr Sean Hornby said: "Being a minority party UKIP has played a significant role in helping hold the Labour controlled Council to account. We had been pushing for the last couple of years for more transparency in the way that Bolton Council runs which has now lead to all political parties attending all Executive Member meetings where decisions of expenditure and policies are agreed. This we believe helps prevent another scandal like Asons from taking place.

"I believe the role of a minor opposition party is vital people are fed up of the 2 main party system. Labour and Conservative Councillors are constantly doing the opposite to each other for the sake of it.

"UKIPs priorities are to insist that a fairer allocation of money is agreed across all the wards and not just a select few keeping Labour Councillors in power. More openness and transparency, a return to more Area Forum meetings, protection of all Greenbelt land and priority be given to brownfield sites are a must.

"I want this Council to consult more and not take for granted the voting public, I also want to look in more detail about deprivation funding across the Borough UKIP believes that if your spending large sums of money in an area because of deprivation and 15 years on your still doing it then the policy isn’t working. It time to look at different Councils across the Country that have better outcomes in order that we see better outcomes.

"Whilst UKIP may not take many seats in this election I am sure they will have a significant effect in the outcome of some seats which the main parties have taken for granted for to long especially with the shenanigans that the 2 main parties are doing in Westminster and the betrayal of our MPs to respect the result of the referendum."

Green Party

THE environmental party wants to put solar panels on council buildings and schools, tackle fly-tipping and improve recycling.

It opposes austerity and wants to protect "vital" services and would push the council to produce "needs budgets" to run alongside government-imposed cuts budgets.

It also pledges to tackle air pollution noting that Bolton has some of the worst affected areas in the country.

The group leader stressed the need to address this to protect public health.

The group also opposes fracking and has committed to protecting green spaces by supporting campaigns in the borough.

Group leader Alan Johnson said: "The Green Party, nationally, is the fourth largest party in England and Wales, in terms of members and elected representatives.

"We aim to do politics in a different way, Green Councillors are not subjected to following a party line, or following a whip system, Green Councillors are free to listen, and represent the electors.

"We feel Bolton is really crying out for changes, and the Green Party, is best equipped to tackle this, we want to see a cleaner Greener, fairer Bolton, Electors should not be taken for granted.

"We aim to take decision making to it’s lowest level, allowing more say to people in how their communities are run, and listen to what their genuine concerns are."

READ MORE: How Bolton's political landscape could change next month

Farnworth and Kearsley First

THE new hyper-local group is hoping to double in size in May.

Group leader Paul Sanders said: "The people of Farnworth and Kearsley made a historic decision last year and elected three Councillors from Farnworth & Kearsley First Party.

"Our Party was formed out of sheer frustration at the years of neglect suffered by our towns at the hands of the mainstream political parties. Our Party’s success stunned the local political establishment and they were clearly shaken. The double-whammy for the traditional parties was that our Councillors hit the ground running and immediately set to work in the political arena by demanding answers and trying to get things changed for the better.

"Our Councillors’ efforts at the Council are matched by their work with residents and community groups and we feel that we have had a very positive impact in our towns.

"This election offers the people of our towns the opportunity to elect another three Farnworth and Kearsley First Councillors. If we are successful, with six Councillors, we may hold the balance of power in the Council Chamber in May. "We are delighted with our candidates for the elections who include our Party Leader, Party Founder and Chief Policy Development Officer.

Horwich and Blackrod First Independents

THE new hyper-local party wants the two towns to receive “fair and equitable consideration”, and to ensure decisions made by the borough council are “transparent and accountable”.

Party leader Marie Brady said: “Bolton Council is seen as distant and concentrated on the needs of the town of Bolton, with less regard for the outer towns of the Borough, which has led to distrust, frustration and division.

“Every town and area within the borough needs investment and funding. We believe councillors for each ward, must work together to understand the needs and priorities of their ward, develop strategies to meet those needs and priorities and present the cost/benefit of any strategy to Council before any investment or funding is awarded.”

H&BFI along with the other new parties in our Borough, will bring much needed and positive change because we are people who have collectively agreed to work together for the good of the town and all residents.

Westhoughton First Independents

THE latest party to enter the fray is Westhoughton First Independents.

It wants to fight development on green belt, cuts to services and litter in the township.

Party leader Jack Speight said: “We are Westhoughton people. It’s important that we get true representation just like Farnworth and Kearsley First, who have done a fantastic job, and Horwich First. It’s only fair.“We should work together, not like we see in parliament, and do great things for the town. There are passion and belief in the candidates representing their town as it should be. It’s so sad what Labour have down to our town. All these green fields being taken away. It’s got to stop. This whole development, it’s destroying the whole community. Our community has its own uniqueness. We are so rural. We are losing all that. We are losing our identity. That’s what makes us Westhoughton people.

“It’s also about getting a fair provision of services. All our services have been stripped out.”

“I think a lot of people are disillusioned. We’ll represent the whole community. If we give power back to the local community, I feel we can do a lot more.”