Bridport is set to go to the polls.

Long-standing councillor Ros Kayes has stepped down from her roles on West Dorset District and Dorset County Councils, leaving two vacancies to be filled.

Cllr Kayes remains in her role on Bridport Town Council. The vacancies are the Bridport North ward on West Dorset District Council and Bridport Division on Dorset County Council.

Here are the candidates for the by-elections, which take place on Thursday, February 22.

Dorset County Council

  • KELVIN CLAYTON, Green Party candidate, DCC.

I’m a town councillor and trustee of Bridport Youth and Community Centre (which I helped save from closure).

I volunteer at Bridport Job Club, am part of a working group developing support for homeless people, help organise Bridport’s Green Fortnight and MindFest, and am working with local artists to develop public art in the town.

If elected, my priorities will be to ensure that the effects on our well-being and environment are central to all decisions, that local opportunities for young people are expanded, that there is housing which local people can actually afford, and that local business is fully supported.

  • ROSE ALLWORK, Labour candidate, DCC​

On moving to Bridport, I felt instantly welcome and at home. West Dorset is a wonderful place to live – I want to see our local economy grow in a way that meets future challenges while maintaining the character of our beautiful area.

We all know the priorities for Bridport and the Bride Valley: we need housing, transport and care services that work and control over the things that matter most. As a Labour councillor, I will hold regular surgeries so that I can represent local needs at a county level and work hard to achieve the best for our town and villages.

  • DAVE RICKARD, Liberal Democrat candidate, DCC

I have lived in West Dorset for nearly 30 years and have been involved in community and environmental issues for even longer. Now, as a town and district councillor and as a former mayor and leader of Bridport Town Council, I also have a wide experience of local issues across all areas of public life.

I am known for my no-nonsense approach and I have successfully won many battles for people and the environment.

Now at this time of government cuts, and local authority reorganisation threatening rural villages and market towns, we need hard working representatives to protect our services and our children’s future.

  • MARK ROBERTS, Conservative candidate, DCC

I live in Salwayash and have represented the Netherbury Ward as a district councillor for 14 years, was a governor at the Sir John Colfox School for 18 years and I’m a trustee of Bridport Museum and director of a company providing care.

If elected, my objectives will be: Work tirelessly to maintain those services which affect the quality of life for the most vulnerable residents and their families.

Actively push for the building of the necessary infrastructure for Vearse Farm, including a new roundabout at Miles Cross, and better broadband and bus services.

West Dorset District Council

  • DEREK BUSSELL Conservative candidate, WDDC

After a career spanning the Merchant Navy, the aerospace industry and finally running my own business here in Bridport, I am now retired and in a position to give something back to this town in which I settled 25 years ago. I am a Bridport town councillor and would like to bring my business, management and problem solving skills to the district council.

If elected, I feel it would certainly support my position as a town councillor to continue working for the best interests of the town and its people.

  • PHYLLIDA CULPIN Labour candidate, WDDC

​The people of Bridport are being denied the opportunities and services that we need and deserve because of years of austerity cuts.

It’s time that our local services deliver what we want. I have worked in social housing and community development for many years, including in South Somerset and I am determined to see more decent housing in Bridport.

Having listened to local people I know that transport – the lack of buses and congestion – and the damage being done to our environment are also key local issues.

We also need to create decent jobs and opportunities for our young people.

  • SARAH WILLIAMS, Liberal Democrat candidate, WDDC

As a Town councillor for 11 years I’ve wide experience of representing Bridport.

As a trustee of Bridport Museum and BADT I’m actively involved in their management. Since becoming leader of the town council in 2012; I’ve ensured that our community has a larger voice in how Bridport develops, through the neighbourhood plan, the coastal community team and ensuring more public engagement.

As a district councillor I will campaign for what’s important to our community, including affordable housing, local services, creating employment.

  • JULIAN JONES, Green party candidate, WDDC

I’m standing because the district council has no Green (or Labour) voice. While some things can be improved by reforms, inequality and environmental damage can only be solved by revolutionary changes in attitudes and policies.

I’d argue for: Actual Council support for renewable energy; shifting resources from highways to supporting a viable bus network; triple council tax on second homes; compulsory purchase, at agricultural prices, of land needed for house building; enabling resumed council house building and Dorset Councils Pension scheme to disinvest from fossil fuel companies