Introduction:
Welcome to Stockton Conservatives Manifesto outlining policies, ideas and principles by which local Conservatives would govern our town, if given the opportunity, following the local elections in May 2011.
Prior to the last local government elections in 2007 we produced a comprehensive manifesto document and it is interesting to see that the vast majority of the actions we said we would try and achieve have come to fruition.
As no one Group obtained an overall majority at the last election the Conservatives endeavoured to negotiate a cross party arrangement, with all Groups participating in the governance of the authority.
Unfortunately the Independents and the Liberal Democrats would not participate in an arrangement that included the Labour Group and therefore the Labour and Conservative Groups, having the most Members, agreed to form the Executive with the Leader of the Council being the Conservative Group Leader, Ken Lupton.
This arrangement has been very successful with all Members participating in service reviews and providing challenge and advice to the executive for the benefit of residents. This partnership has provided robust financial management and leadership and has achieved significant improvements in the built environment and provided the lowest Council Tax increases for many years. Stockton has also been recognised as the “Best Authority in the Country” for the provision of Direct Services.
We are in challenging times with the new Coalition Government determined to reduce the country’s debt and the deficit between expenditure and income. Local Government is being required to share in this challenge by doing “more for less” and in Stockton’s case this will require a 28% reduction in its budget over the next four years.
Our commitment is to continue to provide cost effective front line services whilst finding new initiatives and ways of working that will reduce the overall cost to our Council Tax payers.
In the event that no one party or group has an overall majority, following this election, we will again endeavour to work with our fellow Councillors to achieve a governance arrangement that will benefit the authority and the residents of the Borough.
We will work with both of our local Members of Parliament but it is a great advantage to the Council to have a local M.P., James Wharton, who as a Conservative can help influence policy at the highest level in Government.
AN ELECTION STRATEGY
The council is complex and it’s legal and statutory duties and responsibilities are many and varied. It is fair to say that everyone is touched by the services it provides in some way or other. National Governments have seen fit to change local democracy in many reorganisations and now we are challenged to do “more for less” in response to the economic downturn.
With responsibility for all local authority services including education and social services Stockton Borough Council now plays a strategic role at both regional and national level.
It has a strong reputation for “partnership working” and involves many groups and minority interests in developing policy platforms and service specific strategies.
However, there are many frustrations, which are evident when Government policy and financial constraint do not allow local determination by locally elected representatives. The Conservatives nationally are committed to devolve real power back to Local Government.
It is increasingly difficult to find residents who are willing to devote their time and energy and stand for election onto Stockton Borough Council. This is understandable as the time commitment to their residents, Ward and Council duties can be considerable.
Those individuals who do put themselves forward as a party or group representative, or as an independent candidate are to be applauded. It is not the intention of Stockton Conservatives to decry their ambition or level criticism during the run up to this election. We are taking a positive approach and will be campaigning for the good of the Borough rather than short-term party political gain.
This manifesto will outline the views that Stockton Conservatives will take into this election. We will not make any commitment or promises that are impossible to realise without a change in Government policy.
There follows a number of areas were we do believe that decisions can be made to change Stockton Council for the better:
COUNCIL GOVERNANCE AND PROCEDURES:
We will streamline the Cabinet by reducing the portfolio holders to eight including the leader of the Council.
In addition we will provide a direct method of challenge and scrutiny by establishing Select Committees that align with these portfolios.
We will introduce a “power Share Administration” that will involve electing a leader who will be empowered to select the “Cabinet” from the most able and qualified elected Members, irrespective of party or group allegiance.
The Select Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs will be selected so as to provide challenge and ensure the Council’s Constitution and the rights of the electorate are promoted and protected.
The Council Leader will be required to relate directly to Ward Councillors to ensure that resident’s views and wishes are kept in high profile and the role of Parish and Town Councils is properly valued.
The Local Strategic Partnerships (LSP’s) are an integral part of the decision making process. They directly involve the voluntary sector, communities and businesses with the provision of local services. Many residents will not realise that these organisations are the vehicle by which finance is channelled into local authority services. We will constantly challenge their structure and membership to ensure that they are robust and fit for purpose.
The Voluntary and Community Sectors are becoming increasingly involved in providing services and receive over £250k in support from the authority. It is timely that these organisations are scrutinised to ensure that they are efficient and accountable for the public support they receive. We will work with the public, private and third sector organisations, including community groups, to see if there are better and more cost effective ways of providing and commissioning services.
The new coalition government has dismantled the expensive bureaucratic regional bodies that have previously determined regional planning and economic policy and now a regional perspective is provided by the authority’s representation on the Association of North East Councils and the Tees Valley Economic Partnership. These organisations work with the private sector to promote the economic well being of the area and it is essential that Stockton has strong representation on these bodies.. We will require Stockton’s representatives to be fully trained to ensure that they promote the residents and the Council’s interests.
Stockton should be at the heart of national strategy development. Our officers have shown their skills in providing direction and influencing government policy for the benefit of the Council and its residents. We will encourage Stockton’s officers to play a part in national strategic development to ensure that Stockton maintains a high profile and influences national initiatives for the benefit of Stockton residentsand businesses.
It is also important that the Leader and Cabinet members engage with the local M.P.’s to ensure that Stockton’s voice is heard in Parliament.
In recent years local government financial procedures have changed from rigid annual estimates and accountancy to a system utilising medium term financial planning, this has led to more stable financial projections. We will continue to ensure that there is robust financial management and sound fiscal planning to enable the authority to respond positively to the inevitable economic recovery
Local Authorities have representatives on local Police and Fire Authority Committees as well as numerous Boards of Community and Voluntary organisations. They are there to represent the authority and the residents of Stockton. It is essential that the individuals are adequately trained and have experience that can add value to these organisations and protect the interests of the Council. Only the most suiatable local Councillors will be selected for these outside bodies, regardless of political colour.
Conservative led Councils are known to be more careful
with your money and are committed to keep Council Tax to the lowest possible level, whilst continuing to provide the very best standards of service. We will continue to challenge expenditure projections and look for innovative ways of providing services that give the best value for money for our residents.
ENVIRONMENT
Street scene services impact on and are valued by every resident.
The drive to recycle waste materials is a nationally led initiative and Stockton will support this worth while project. The full cost of this service falls on the Council Tax payer and there will be calls to change to a fortnightly refuse collection service to assist in financing the recycling service. This is a policy that would cause many householders inconvenience and in some cases hardship. Thousands of properties do not have the capacity to store the required refuse/recycling containers.
It is not disputed that, nationally and internationally, raw materials need to be protected and waste reduced; but recycling at the end of the manufacturing and consumer process is the least efficient way of achieving significant reductions. The environmental impact of the increased number of collection vehicles and the lack of markets for the recycled waste puts into question the whole ethos of current “Green Policies”.
It is essential that Government grasp the concept of reducing waste at the source of the manufacturing process and prevent materials entering the waste stream as an end product.
We will undertake a comprehensive study of our waste collection and disposal services to find the most appropriate environmental and cost effective means of operation are achieved but we are committed to maintain a weekly collection of household waste.
Street cleansing and open space management impacts on everyone and the additional resources channelled into these services in recent years has to be commended. There is a positive response by the public in seeing cleaner streets and attractive flower displays and parks. We will continue to make public places a priority to allow residents to take pride in their town.
It has been estimated that £16m is spent each year by the Tees Valley local authorities on energy costs. We will explore the benefits of providing a local energy partnership to produce sustainable supplies of energy for the sub region whilst reducing our energy usage.
Rodent infestations are increasing both locally and nationally. The reasons for this increase may be many and varied but the lack of sewer treatment on behalf of Northumbrian Water must be a contributory factor. We will undertake a review of the pest control service, making sure that policies are adopted to improve eradication treatments and reduce infestations.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
The new coalition government has determined that the responsibility for health Improvement will return to local government and although the details are yet to be finalised this initiative is welcomed and will provide a new focus for all that we do.
This new responsibility will require the authority to establish a Health and Wellbeing Board consisting of all the partners and stakeholders involved in the provision of services. We will determine that this authority is represented by experienced and trained Members of the Council who will represent the interests of our residents in the commissioning of health related services.
CRIME AND DISORDER
Although Stockton Borough has been recognised as achieving the highest reduction in crime in the region, crime and disorder, particularly criminal damage and antisocial behaviour, were again identified as a priority area for action by residents in the bi-annual Mori survey. Cleveland police are also subject to the same challenges as the local authorities in the requirement to reduce their expenditure but we will continue to work in partnership in order that our Enforcement Teams and the Police provide a service that continues to drive down crime in our area.
PLANNING
The previous government introduced planning policies and guidelines for local authorities that prevented local determination of applications often to the detriment of individuals and communities. The new coalition government is committed to change, introducing Neighbourhood Plans which can be influenced by communities themselves and removing the regional “plans” that have been so restrictive in the past.
The way in which national policy on development of “previously developed land” has allowed local architectural heritage and individuals lives to be devastated by inappropriate apartment blocks is appalling.
The Conservatives at national level have changed the policy on “back land” development allowing each application to be determined on its merits.
Telecommunications Masts have been imposed on communities, regardless of the “perceived danger to health”, and the effect on the visual amenity of the area. This policy has quite rightly been criticised and again shows the lack of understanding of community concerns. We will work with the communications companies to determine a Borough wide requirement and endeavour to provide phone mast sites that have little impact on residents.
EDUCATION AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Whilst extra money has been channelled into education and Stockton schools the removal of the Building Schools for the Future programme has left a void that leaves a number of our existing Secondary schools with unsatisfactory buildings for the education of future generations of children.
We will review all of our Secondary School estate to determine a practical programme of development and improvement that can be submitted to government and argue the case for significant financial support to achieve the ambitious vision of our residents.
The provision of additional Secondary School places on Ingleby Barwick has been accepted but how these additional places are achieved is still to be determined. We will continue to support the most appropriate means of this provision, be it as an extension to All Saints or a new “Free School”. This will be determined on the outcome of a comprehensive impact assessment on the three current “excellent” schools in the South of the Borough, the financial consequences on the authority and what is best for the education of all of our children.
TRANSPORT AND REGENERATION
The new £57m Tees Valley bus service improvements have commenced and we will continue to support public transport initiatives that encourage residents to leave their cars at home and look for more sustainable transport solutions.
We will continue to support concessionary fares for the elderly and disabled residents in line with the national scheme and when financially possible we will look to support services that will allow our residents both young and old to access public transport to our Town Centres on an evening.
In these difficult economic times the new Local Enterprise Partnership (Tees Valley Unlimited) will drive the economic regeneration of the sub-region bringing in new businesses and jobs and providing the leadership for the new skills agenda. We will work with the partnership to ensure that the authority’s officers provide the necessary support for business and commercial enterprise. This support extends to our relationship with Durham and Teesside Universities who have such an influential role.
Over the last four years there has been significant progress in bringing forward new developments with the Completion of Thornaby Town Centre, the imminent completion of the Billingham Forum, the announcement of the reopening of the Globe Theatre in Stockton and the publication of the Stockton High Street Prospectus. The improvements to the white water course at the Tees Barrage are also on course to be completed in May.
All of these together with the Infinity Bridge opening and the Wolfsan Institute at the Queens Campus are significant developments that will help to bring prosperity to the area.
New housing is essential for growth and with the freedoms and flexibilities allowed by the new government we will work with the private and social housing providers to ensure that appropriate developments are forthcoming, in all categories, to satisfy the needs of our residents.
We will ensure that the Council has close and effective working relations with the business community, finding ways of giving financial incentives for companies to relocate to the Borough or increase their commercial activities here.
Out of town shopping centres and the mobility of our residents has impacted on our traditional Town Centres and High streets but we are committed to bringing new life to these community hubs that are still so important to our economy and the wellbeing of our residents.
We are committed, with our partners, to the completion of the Billingham Town Centre Master Plan and the provision of an integrated health centre and to the regeneration of Stockton High Street. Norton and Yarm also have a significant part to play in our retail and commercial plans and it is essential that we undertake a review of our car parking policies to ensure that not only safety but economic impact assessments are undertaken to ensure that these remain vibrant and successful centres. We will undertake to carry out a review of parking policy during 2011. At the same time the negotiations that are currently in progress with land owners and others to find long term parking provision in Yarm will be vigorously pursued.
LEISURE, CULTURE AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
Stockton is a University town and now is the time to look to provide facilities that have regional status. Tees Valley and its surrounding area has a population greater than Newcastle. We must be ambitious and capitalize on the skills and talents of our static and transient population.
The year round events organised by the Council, often in partnership with other organisations, are now providing the entertainment and activity for residents and visitors the whole year through. From “Take to the Tees”, The River Rat Race, Stockton International Riverside Festival and Fringe, Stockton Sparkles, Billingham International Folk Festival and the Thornaby and Billingham Shows along with many others. Stockton’s reputation as a visitor attraction is growing and we will continue to support investment in cultural activities to enable the economic benefits to the Borough to be achieved.
Local facilities based in our traditional communities are vital but centres of excellence in sporting and cultural activity must also be a major objective. We are ambitious in our aims. We will work with our strategic partners to ensure that plans are prepared for the provision of facilities that compare with the best in the country.
The Heritage of our Borough has not been of high priority in the past but this is being addressed with the introduction of a “Heritage Strategy” that is currently subject to consultation. We will embrace the strategy and promote the heritage of our Borough.
Our Parks and open spaces are of direct benefit to the wellbeing of our residents and we will endeavour to prevent any development in our Victorian Parks that does not directly improve leisure, cultural or sporting activities. This commitment includes Preston Park where there is a clear desire on the part of the public to retain this facility in it’s current form.
SOCIAL SERVICES AND HEALTH
Joint working between health and social care providers has been a strength of service provision in Stockton Borough.
Services for the elderly, children and those in need and requiring care have changed dramatically in recent years but it is essential that we continue to challenge procedures and practices. We must provide the best possible alternatives in treatment and accommodation for all of our residents.
There are many children in the Borough who need to be looked after by the authority, through no fault of their own.
We will ensure that as corporate parents the welfare, education and care of these children is of paramount importance and that they consider themselves, and become, valuable members of society.
After a long and protracted consultation and planning process it appears that the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust will be going ahead with the proposed new hospital to be built at Wynyard Business Park, subject to final financial arrangements being agreed.
There is little doubt that such a world class facility will benefit patients but there are still concerns regarding the traffic impact on local road networks. We will work to make certain that the proposed improvements to the highway infrastructure are implemented prior to the completion of the new build and that appropriate public Transport arrangements are in place prior to occupancy. We will also lobby for improvements at the A19/A689 junction to improve accessibility and traffic congestion.
Stockton Conservatives
Suite 6A
Durham Tees Valley Business Centre
Orde Wingate Way
Stockton on Tees. TS19 OGA
E-mail: stocktonsouth@tory.org
Tel: 01642 636233
