Labour council
One significant issue in the election campaign was a new traffic system the Labour council had just introduced on 1 April. This had banned vehicles from the centre of the city during the daytime and led to complaints from shopkeepers about loss of business. Other election issues raised in the campaign included rises in council taxes, plans to replace Burntwood Leisure Centre, the sale of 5,000 rented houses to a housing association, a proposed new housing development and anti-pollution measures.