More school places, improvements to roads and protecting the green belt are just some of the issues Hertfordshire County Council candidates are promising to tackle if they win the public vote in next week’s elections.

Four candidates will go head-to-head to win the Potters Bar West and Shenley seat in the election next Thursday.

Councillor Morris Bright is standing for the Conservative party, Ray Edge for Labour, Susan Oatway for the Liberal Democrats and David Rutter for the UK Independence Party (UKIP).

Speaking about his aims, Cllr Bright - currently a county councillor for Borehamwood South and leader of Hertsmere Borough Council - said: “My main concern is the state of our roads. There’s no doubt we’ve had three devastating cold winters that have caused havoc to the road surfaces. They need to be fixed as quickly as possible.

“We also need to increase the number of school places. Increasing birth rates have had a knock-on effect and it’s important to ensure that our children receive a good education.

“Other issues are people parking on verges and destroying them, too much graffiti, and I’d also like to see a library facility in Potters Bar.”

Cllr Bright said he will continue to strive to keep council tax down and listen to the concerns of his residents.

Meanwhile, believing his party should speak “as one”, Mr Rutter has provided a statement from UKIP about their party policies.

The statement reads: “UKIP are the only major party dedicated to leaving the European Union and bringing democracy back to the British people. This would restore to the people the right to choose how our country is run.

“We therefore strongly back the proposed in/out referendum on the EU, but believe it should take place much sooner than the indicated 2017.

“We support local referenda on major planning decisions such as out of town or large scale supermarket development, major housing developments and incinerators.

“We favour proper controls on immigration and prioritising services for local people in housing, education, health and social services, by ending benefit and health tourism.

“We believe in spending our money at home – not giving away £53m a day in our membership of the European Union and another £23m a day in foreign aid – while jobs, services and benefits are being cut here.”

The statement also suggests more effort should be made to fight crime and anti-social behaviour with more police on the streets. It also talks about protecting the greenbelt and communities as well as keeping council tax bills “under control” by cutting council executives and managers, their pay and expenses, rather than front line services.

For updates and information about the other candidates visit the Times Series website next week.