THE deputy leader of Halton Council could face tough opposition in the upcoming local elections as his seat will be contested for the first time in eight years by a rival parish councillor.

Mike Wharton, who has held onto his seat as a Labour councillor in Hale since 2002, faced no opposition when he last stood for election in 2014.

However this year his seat will be contested by a conservative candidate and an independent, who has been a member of Hale Parish Council for the last 10 years.

Luke Trevaskis, 28, from Hale, was nominated by local residents to take on Cllr Wharton, the ward’s only councillor, following what he describes as “catastrophic miscommunication” regarding the council’s Draft Allocation and Local Delivery Plan.

Mr Trevaskis has slammed Mr Wharton for his lack of transparency regarding Halton Council’s plans to develop housing on Home Farm, which is one of only two farms in  Hale Village as well as one of the ward’s largest employers.

Green space is one of the most contentious issues in Hale.

At a Hale Parish meeting in January this year, Mr Wharton apologised to residents for a lack of communication regarding greenbelt development in the village, after it was revealed the council had emailed the plans to a clerk who worked for Hale parish council 10 years ago.

Mr Trevaskis said: “There has been a lack of sincerity, disclosure and clarity on recent issues surrounding Halton’s local plan for development of green belt land. I want to be a visible, accessible and accountable borough councillor who is a proactive voice for the community.

“I believe it is unhealthy for any politician to have the security of an uncontested seat. The risk is that complacency sets in and consciously or unconsciously, the motivation to ensure effective representation in the best interests of ordinary people is diminished.”

In an extensive election leaflet, the aspiring councillor has set out a number of ambitious promises.

He said that if elected, he would work hard to conserve green belt land, safeguard the provision of a GP surgery in the village, increase funding for the ward, and create a dementia-friendly community in the village by improving signage and campaigning for sensory open spaces.

He is anti-tolls and will campaign to scrap the Mersey Gateway tolls for all residents, including those in band G and H properties who are exempt from the Local User Discount scheme.

Voters head to the polls this Thursday where Mr Trevaskis will go head to head with Mike Wharton as well as conservative candidate Ruth Rowan.

Mr Wharton’s Labour group have promised voters that they will protect social care provision, back improving schools, enhance the skills of local people and “maintain and improve the quality of life for all Halton residents.”

The Conservatives have pledged to redirect “wasted council money” on investment  into cleaner roads, pavements, parks and community areas.

They will also redirect existing funds into youth clubs and community projects, promising to clamp-down on “youth nuisance and alcohol fuelled anti-social behaviour.”