A CLEAR PLAN FOR SOMERSET Low Council Tax High Investment into Somerset and Quality Services
The Conservative Manifesto for the Somerset County Elections on 4th May 2017
SUBJECT HEADER
2 A Record of Action, A Promise of More
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CONTENTS A MESSAGE FROM CONSERVATIVE GROUP LEADER JOHN OSMAN
2
OUR CLEAR PLAN FOR SOMERSET
3
THE VISION FOR SOMERSET
4
DISTRICT WIDE PLEDGES
5 6-8
A CLEAR PLAN
9
Why you Can’t trust the lib dems Delivery of our pledges
10-11
For more information about the policies contained in this manifesto, please contact us: Conservative Campaign Centre, 16 northgate, Bridgwater,somerset, ta6 3eu 01278 423110 jfraserhowells@somersetconservatives.com Promoted by Jonathan Fraser Howells, on behalf of Somerset Convservatives, both of 16 Northgate, Somerset, TA6 3EU. Printed by Solopress, 9 Stock Road, Southend-on-Sea SS2 5QF
A Record of Action, A Promise of More 3
A personal message from SUBJECT HEADER
Cllr John Osman Leader of Somerset County Council
Dear Residents, a vote for: atives at this election is A vote for the Conserv t - Quality services Investment in Somerse Low Council Tax - High nistration at Somerset the Conservative Admi ars ye ht eig t las the Over d to have: County Council is prou Tax for 6 years • Frozen your Council debt, created by the crippling £350 million ’s cil un • Reduced the Co Lib Dems ment llion of additional invest • Secured over £200 mi the d an re s, infrastructu in Somerset for new job community r schools of extra funding for ou • Secured £22 million s and school standard • Raised GCSE results hubs for our services d • Built new schools an roads and built miles of new perfast broadband • Filled 78,000 potholes su for t rse me So s ros ac e rag ve co % • Provided 90 re services and Children Social Ca • Improved our Adult erly than ever before eld d an rable adults lne vu re mo er aft ed ok • Lo uncil tax low, future to keep your co the in d ste tru be n ca t only we quality services to This clearly shows tha community and provide the d an ds roa ls, oo sch obtain investment for . nts ide res al loc a positive Conservative choice. You can return ar cle a ve Dem administration ha nts ide res On 4th May ty, or elect a negative Lib t. un Co the for n pla ar cle rse administration with a the issues facing Some any solutions to solve ed os op pr t no s ha ich wh mber: cannot be trusted. Reme costs you £100k a day The Liberal Democrats ich wh £350 million in debt, • They left the County er £200 million plans to borrow anoth on ing ult ns nistration co are ey • Th % during their last admi 62 by x Ta cil un Co • They put up the al services, rather than pocket or spent on critic ur yo in s wa y ne mo ur n a year. I would rather that yo to the tune of £55 millio ers nk ba to st ere int g being spent on payin RPH UHGXFH E\ KH &RXQW\ &RXQFLOœV LQF ving to be Q W HH H V DY H K V Z LVL FU QFLDO es ha )ROORZLQJ WKH ¿QD owledge that this has led to some tough choic be fair about the kn to ac I ed n. tri d llio an mi ste 40 wa some £1 t we have cut bu , lem ob pr the ate made. We did not cre d to be made. tough decisions that ha ative on 4th May. r plans and vote Conserv ou ort pp su ll wi u yo I hope
Leader of Somerse 4 A Record of Action, A Promise of More
t County Council
Our clear plan for Somerset
SUBJECT HEADER
1. KEEP YOUR COUNCIL TAX LOW 2. HELP CREATE NEW JOBS AND APPRENTICESHIPS 3. PROTECT OUR VULNERABLE ADULTS AND CHILDREN BY INVESTING £30 MILLION MORE TO IMPROVE THEIR SERVICES 4. CREATE A UNIVERSITY OF SOMERSET 5. BUILD NEW SCHOOLS FOR OUR CHILDREN 6. DEVELOP MORE COMMUNITY HUBS TO DELIVER OUR SERVICES 7. PROVIDE HOMES FOR SOMERSET RESIDENTS 8. SUPPORT AND PROTECT OUR RURAL WAY OF LIFE 9. PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES BY BUILDING NEW FLOOD DEFENCE SCHEMES 10. IMPROVE SAFETY AND REDUCE CONGESTION BY INVESTING IN ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE 11. COMPLETE THE ROLLOUT OF SUPERFAST BROADBAND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY 12. INCREASE RECYCLING AND REDUCE LANDFILL A Record of Action, A Promise of More 5
SUBJECT HEADER
A VISION FOR SOMERSET Somerset is a beautiful place to live, work and receive an education. As a County, however we do struggle to get our children to go to University, to ensure continuing education for our adults and to bring key workers such as nurses and social workers into the County. We need to improve standards of living, provide more jobs, more housing for Somerset residents and more income opportunities for the County Council. The Vision for Somerset has been created so that we can implement these key requirements across the County. We therefore pledge to deliver our Vision which is:-
A New University • For Somerset’s young people • For people returning to education • To provide local courses so that we can KHOS WR ÀOO MREV LQ KDUG WR UHFUXLW DUHDV such as social work and engineering A New Garden Town • To provide quality homes for Somerset people • To provide quality homes for key workers New Business Parks 7R EULQJ QHZ FRPSDQLHV DQG MREV LQWR Somerset • To help existing companies grow in Somerset New Energy Initiatives • New green energy saving initiatives • Income generation to support other Somerset services • Support low carbon initiatives
6 A Record of Action, A Promise of More
SUBJECT HEADER
DISTRICT WIDE PLEDGES We are committed to helping all Somerset residents. That is why all our candidates will make specific pledges to improve the lives of the local residents. In each of the Somerset district areas we pledge to:
Mendip
Taunton Deane
• To move forward with the Walton / Ashcott bypass ‡ 'HDO ZLWK WKH WUDIÀF SLQFK SRLQWV RQ the A361 in Glastonbury • Support the Strawberry Line cycle network • Work with partners to further regenerate Frome ‡ %ULQJ MREV WR 0HQGLS E\ EXLOGLQJ DQ Enterprise Centre for new businesses to start in and existing businesses to grow in
• Upgrade the Toneway corridor LQFOXGLQJ WKH &UHHFK &DVWOH MXQFWLRQ • Dual the A358 and improve J25 of the M5 • Support the creation of a new employment site at J25 of the M5 • Develop a rapid transport bus system along the A38 corridor • Actively support improved cycling access routes across Taunton • Reduce congestion by further development of the Park and Ride infrastructure
Sedgemoor • A barrage across the River Parrett to protect Bridgwater and nearby YLOODJHV IURP à RRGLQJ ‡ ([SDQG WKH 5LYHU 6RZ\ WR DOORZ à RRG waters to get away quickly • Work with partners to build the Huntspill Energy Park • Improve the A38 and the southern access to Bridgwater
West Somerset
• Work with schools to raise standards across the district • Make good use of the government funding we have won for West 6RPHUVHW WR ERRVW WUDLQLQJ DQG MRE prospects for young people • Ensure vulnerable and ageing residents get the support and care they need and deserve • Continue to press for improvements South Somerset to the heavily used A39 between • Dual the A303 Minehead and Bridgwater. • Build an Aerospace Enterprise Centre ‡ :RUN WR UHGXFH à RRGLQJ LQ UXUDO and support the helicopter industry areas and roads in West Somerset • Support schemes to reduce congestion in Yeovil • Seek further investment to prevent à RRGLQJ A Record of Action, A Promise of More 7
SUBJECT HEADER
A Clear Plan… Children and Education Education is so important for all Somerset residents. From the children wanting to succeed at school to adults wanting to return to education. Over the last four years we are proud to have:-
Over the next four years we pledge to
• Successfully lobbied for Somerset Schools to receive £22 million more funding • Seen an unprecedented increase in GCSE results for our young people • Recruited more Foster Carers and Adopters • Recruited more Social Workers • Built new schools in Taunton, Bridgwater and Queen Camel
• Create a new University • Build new schools and new classrooms in Shepton Mallet, Wellington, Ruishton,Glastonbury, 0RQNWRQ +HDWKÀHOG DQG <HRYLO • Improve children’s test results at all stages including GCSEs • Improve our Children Services’ Ofsted rating • Retain valued local child care services
Adult social care Currently 42% of our County Council budget is spent on adults who need our care. We have a good service, but realise that it could be better if we work closer with our NHS colleagues. Over the last four years we are proud to have:
• Worked with the voluntary sector to provide key services • Delivered personal budgets so that local people can make their own care choices • Brought in £10 million of extra funding &UHDWHG D MRLQW FRPPLVVLRQLQJ ERDUG ZLWK WKH 1+6 WR LPSURYH VHUYLFHV DQG JHW EHWWHU value for money Over the next four years we pledge to:-
•Invest an extra £16 million through Council Tax and the Better Care Fund •Integrate our services with the NHS and hospitals in Somerset •Invest in reablement, so that people can get back to independent lives as soon as
8 A Record of Action, A Promise of More
possible
SUBJECT HEADER
Highways
All Somerset residents use our roads, pavements and rights of way. We are proud to have some of the best roads in the country. Over the last four years we are proud to have: • Built 19 miles of new roads across the County • Resurfaced 75 miles of roads • Surface dressed 3976 miles of roads • Sought Government support for dualling the A303 and A358 • Filled 78,000 Potholes • Salted 232,000 miles of road in the winter months Over the next four years we pledge to: • Work towards reducing congestion in our towns • See the start of the dualling of the A303 and A358 • Move the Walton to Ashcott bypass plans forward • Start junction improvements at J25 of the M5 • Plan and commence an upgrade to the Toneway Corridor including Creech Castle, Taunton • Substantially improve the Western Corridor in Yeovil • Further develop both community and demand response transport for our rural areas • Deliver upgrades to Taunton, Bridgwater and Castle Cary Railway Stations • Work to promote Wellington and Langport/Somerton Stations • Further reduce our carbon footprint by converting the remaining 60% street lights to LED technology
protect and promote somerset We have worked hard to protect all that is beautiful about our County Over the next four years we pledge to:
• Protect our residents and businesses from flooding and support the Somerset Rivers Authority • Promote green energy and energy efficiency • Complete the rollout of superfast broadband across the County • Protect our beautiful countryside and our Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty • Promote cycle paths throughout the County • Obtain more powers and responsibility from Central Government, so local people can make local choices and rental homes for local people
A Record of Action, A Promise of More 9
SUBJECT HEADER
Homes House prices in Somerset are high and it is difficult for people in Somerset to get on the property ladder. Somerset County Council will support residents in owning their own homes by: • Supporting mortgages for Somerset residents • Building new starter and rental homes for local people
Investing in Somerset Somerset has huge potential. We are working hard to maximize this potential and over the last four years we have: • Negotiated £94 million in infrastructure improvements to the he County • Supported Hinkley C and the jobs it will create • Built Enterprise Centres in Highbridge and Bridgwater • Secured the future of our libraries Over the next four years we pledge to:• Create new business parks in the Mendip, Taunton and Sedgemoor areas • Build new green energy initiatives throughout the County • Support the creation of new jobs in our planned Enterprise Centres in Wells, Bridgwater and Frome
10 A Record of Action, A Promise of More
HEADER Why you Can’t Trust the LibSUBJECT Dems
You have a clear choice on 4th May 2017 You can vote for a positive Conservative Councillor, who will work hard to improve local services or you can vote for a Lib Dem who has no plan and no vision apart from wanting to tax you and borrow more on your behalf. This form of management puts a dreadful burden on you to repay now and on your children to repay in the future. The Lib Dems record speaks for itself: Council Tax 1. Increased Council Tax by 62% during their last term of office 2. Did not support the Council Tax freeze 3. Pledged to increase Council Tax from 2017 to 2021 Borrowing 1. Took the County £350 million into debt 2. Caused £30 million a year (£100,000 a day) to be spent in repaying the debt they left behind for us rather than providing front line services 3. Have consulted to borrow an additional £200 million in the future. This will lead to an extra £20 million having to be spent on paying off this future debt, £20 million that will not be spent on services Unwise Decisions 1. Lost £20 million in ill-advised Icelandic Investments 2. Agreed the ill fated South West One Contract which cost the council £180 million (£20 million a year for 9 years) 3. Failed to invest in rural areas. 4. Failed to support the creation and financing of the Somerset Rivers Authority 5. Failed to back Hinkley Point C and the jobs it will create Education 1. Presided over failing schools and failing standards 2. Presided on an annual basis over one of the worst sets of GCSE results in the country Failed to Care for the vulnerable adults 1. Failed Meals on Wheels Service 2. Closed care homes for the most vulnerable residents A Record of Action, A Promise of More 11
DELIVERY OF
SUBJECT HEADER
We promised to
We have delivered
Invest in Somerset
:H KDYH VSHQW Â&#x2026; PLOOLRQ RQ SURMHFWV WR LPSURYH Somerset, from roads, to broadband to new schools
Freeze Council Tax for as long as we could
We froze it for 6 years, saving you over ÂŁ300
Recover the ÂŁ25 million lost by the Lib Dems in Icelandic investments
We have recovered ÂŁ24 million of the loss
Not to increase the Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ÂŁ350 million debt left by the Lib Dems
We have not borrowed anything
Bring Superfast Broadband to Somerset
We have obtained ÂŁ30 million in investment and have 90% coverage across Somerset, with plans to cover the remaining 10%
New Flood Protection Schemes
We have brought in over ÂŁ50 million to date to SURWHFW 6RPHUVHW IURP Ă RRGLQJ
New Apprenticeships
We have created and helped to create 32,000 created apprenticeships since 2009
Build new Schools and classrooms
Build new schools and Classrooms in Queen Camel, Frome, Burnham on Sea, Bridgwater, Taunton, Wellington, Yeovil, North Petherton, 0RQNWRQ +HDWKĂ&#x20AC;HOG 6RXWK 3HWKHUWRQ 1RUWRQ Fitzwarren, Wembdon and Chilthorne Domer.
Cut waste at County Hall
We have dramatically reduced the bureaucracy that existed before 2009 at County Hall.
12 A Record of Action, A Promise of More
OUR PLEDGES
SUBJECT HEADER
We promised to
We have delivered
Fix the potholes
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Build new roads
We have built new roads including, the new road OHDGLQJ WR 0XFKHOQH\ 0RQNWRQ +HDWKĂ&#x20AC;HOG HDVWHUQ relief road, The Taunton NIDR and Kings Drive to name but a few
Ease Congestion throughout the County
:H KDYH LPSOHPHQWHG PDMRU VFKHPHV WR SODQ IRU WKH future and ease congestion in Bridgwater, Yeovil and Taunton
Raise school standards and results
School standards have dramatically improved under the Conservatives â&#x20AC;˘ 94% of pupils now go to a Good or Better Infant, Primary or Secondary school â&#x20AC;˘ GCSE results have improved and are now amongst the best in the Country
New Business
We have helped bring 11,500 new business to Somerset
Securing a better deal for Somerset
We have â&#x20AC;˘Increased Education funding for Somerset schools will increase by ÂŁ22 million due to pressure put on Government by the Conservative administration Â&#x2021;%URXJKW LQ Â&#x2026; PLOOLRQ IRU Ă RRG SUHYHQWLRQ â&#x20AC;˘ Lobbied for more powers and responsibility from central government
6KDUH RIĂ&#x20AC;FHV ZLWK RXU SXEOLF VHFWRU partners
:H QRZ VKDUH RIĂ&#x20AC;FH VSDFH ZLWK RXU SXEOLF VHFWRU colleagues in Shepton Mallet, Bridgwater, Yeovil and Williton, which saves you money
Local Services
No libraries have been closed, family services have been maintained and we have sought to improve the services offered
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QHZ MREV DQG Â&#x2026; PLOOLRQ LQYHVWHG LQ infrastructure in our County A Record of Action, A Promise of More 13
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14 A Record of Action, A Promise of More
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A Record of Action, A Promise of More 15
SUBJECT HEADER
Low Council Tax High Investment into Somerset and Quality Services
16 A Record of Action, A Promise of More