Christine Hobson: How on earth can Conservatives in Guisborough select candidates for elections in Middlesbrough?

We can make progress in these local elections next year – but not if we’re frustrated by stupid new rules.

Charley Jarrett: Why all council wards should be multi-member – and how to end one-party councils

A proportional distribution of seats within multi-member wards would achieve greater fairness and more competition.

Multi-member council wards should be abolished

Smaller electoral areas with just one councillor each would make for less confusion, more accountability – and fewer one party states.

The Conservatives are contesting all but 13 of the 4,413 local election races – more than Labour

Full slates of Tory candidates have been achieved in the East Midlands, West Midlands, North East, South West and London (the first time in the capital since 1986).

Matt Hartley: Our fight for democracy in Greenwich

Labour councillors see their chance to extinguish the only opposition voices left in the Council chamber, so they can continue their waste of taxpayers money, blame-shifting and failure to listen to residents unchecked.

Tony Armstrong: Put local land and buildings into community hands to secure their future

While sales to private developers might bring immediate capital receipts the long term value of amenities must also be considered. A partnership approach is needed.

Judy Terry: We lack proper local scrutiny of the relationship between the state and charities

Council committees lack independence. Local newspapers are sadly in decline. There is not the equivalent rigour to that provided by Parliament and the media nationally.

Effective scrutiny in local government means breaking the power of patronage

It is not merely money that is wasted. It is spending which diminishes the amount of scrutiny that might otherwise occur.

David Meikle: In Glasgow, it is the Conservatives who offer the real opposition to the SNP

We are fighting against centralising power in Edinburgh. Glaswegians want more jobs and growth – and a cleaner, greener City.

Watch out for the return of pavement politics

The mundane local concerns of people going about their daily lives cannot be ignored. That doesn’t mean getting down into the gutter with the Lib Dems.

New recruits give the Conservatives an overall majority on Tendring Council

The number of UKIP councillors there has fallen from 22 to just eight.

Rupert Barnes: Restoring our historic counties would show respect for local identity

The Conservative Party is built on something more deep rooted than the passing fads of the metropolitan chattering classes.

Councillor allowances boosted in Cardiff

Chairing a committee is paid at the rate of over £2,000 per meeting.

Councillors still have a key role in recruiting school governors

Despite the growth in academies, finding talented people willing to serve as governors remains crucial.

Jennifer Glover: Councillors need to seek new ideas from the community

At a time of budget cuts there is an opportunity for residents to help improve value for money.