Our policies benefit you all, say Tories

Mar 28 2008 by Clive Bond, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Our policies benefit you all, say Tories

DESPITE having fewer councillors than the Labour group the Conservatives control the council’s decision-making Cabinet.

Council leader Robert Light listed the Kirklees Youth Games, investment in roads, £12m for regenerating Dewsbury and below-inflation council tax rises as major achievements.

He said: “The Conservatives have now been in control of Kirklees Council for approaching two years.

“I believe that the policies we have introduced have benefited everyone in the borough.

“I am very proud of that achievement. We have worked to ensure that Kirklees becomes a forward-thinking and pioneering council.”

Among the pledges in the Tories’ manifesto are:

Regeneration: Tighter planning regulations and tougher measures to punish people who flout planning laws; opposition to plans for 35,000 new homes in Kirklees, especially on flood plains.

Young people: A youth parliament; support for more young people’s centres.

Adults: Investment in improving awareness of dementia; joint commissioning of services with Kirklees Primary Care Trust; extra services for people with sight problems.

Roads and environment: more investment in road improvements; support for rural buses; stronger fly-tipping policy.

Crime: A drug enforcement strategy to seek conviction for suppliers and help for users; prosecuting traders who sell booze to under-age drinkers; better neighbourhood policing; more dispersal orders and by-laws to fight anti-social behaviour.

Leisure and neighbourhood services: Sports participation strategy, including free off-peak use of sports centres for under-18s; promoting and maintaining the heritage; bringing derelict housing back into use.

Clr Light said: “Our ambitious plans cannot be realised without the unstinting efforts of all who work for Kirklees and my Conservative colleagues, who dedicate their time for the people they are elected to represent.’’