|
|
|
|
|
Conservative Manifesto - 2007 |
Cllr David Burbage - Conservative Group Leader
Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
|  |
|
Dear Resident
In just four years of Liberal Democrat rule at the Town Hall, we have seen our Council Tax rise by almost 25%, the Borough's debt escalate from around £30 million to over £50 million - that's almost £900 per household. Also, from the Government's Corporate Performance Assessment of the Council, a fall from "Good" to "Adequate" over the same period.
Crime continues to be an issue with youths refusing to pay school bus fares, vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour at high levels and a notable lack of police on the streets.
Where has all the money gone? Well, rather than increased service provision, much of your increased tax has gone on purely internal expenditure such as pensions, IT and salaries. That's the unfortunate truth. Capital expenditure has been focussed on works internal to the Council's own offices and buildings rather than investing in wider community facilities across the Royal Borough.
We will change this.
We want the residents to be the total focus of the services that you pay for. How would we be different to the Libdems? For a start, Conservatives don't believe in big Government or high taxes. But the Libdem financial strategy states that "it is important that it [Council Tax] is used to generate the maximum amount of income possible" which means that Liberal Democrat tax rises are not only habitual, they are by design!
We will change this aim to be the opposite - to set the Council tax rate to match or undercut inflation, whilst delivering high quality service.
Our 5 key pledges are outlined in bold. Please take a look through the manifesto to see all of what we will do if elected.
There is only one chance before 2011 to make this change.
Cllr David J Burbage
Conservative Group Leader
www.rbwmconservatives.com
|
|
|
|
