Tories launch manifesto ahead of Somerset County Council elections

11:00am Friday 15th March 2013 in News

Launching the Conservative manifesto are West Somerset MP Ian LiddellGrainger, Cllr Ann Bown, Neil Parish MP, council leader Cllr John Osman, council candidate Josh Williams, Harriet Moffett and Jaysen Sharpe, both of Conservative Future. Launching the Conservative manifesto are West Somerset MP Ian LiddellGrainger, Cllr Ann Bown, Neil Parish MP, council leader Cllr John Osman, council candidate Josh Williams, Harriet Moffett and Jaysen Sharpe, both of Conservative Future.

COUNCIL tax will continue to be frozen if the Conservatives are returned to power in the Somerset County Council elections, the party has promised.

They launched their manifesto for the May 2 poll, Putting Somerset First, at the Express Park, Bridgwater, last weekend.

County Hall leader Cllr John Osman attended the event, along with MPs Ian Liddell-Grainger and Neil Parish and candidates from across the county.

Mr Osman said: “In 2009, the people of Somerset voted for change after 16 years of failed LibDem control that has burdened local residents with £350million of debt.

“This debt legacy costs £100,000 a day in interest alone, the council’s third highest expenditure.

“We’ve worked hard over the last four years to reduce this debt that is holding Somerset back.

“Despite this, we’ve achieved an incredible amount, including repairing 83,000 potholes, frozen council tax for four years, resurfacing thousands of miles of roads, more books for libraries, new schools, increased spending on flood protection and much more.

“However, there’s more to do.

“Only local Conservatives can ensure Somerset prospers and local residents get the services they deserve.”

Among pledges in the manifesto are a continued freeze in the county’s part of the council tax, cutting waste at County Hall, investing £120million in schools, roads and frontline services and the creation of 15,000 new jobs and over 4,000 apprenticeships.

Comments (4)

12:09pm Sun 17 Mar 13

jimeee says...

there is no other option really. there is not enough money in somerset for the lib dems...they just put the whole place in a right mess and have no idea how to run the council. labour are a bit better than the lib dems but after the mess they put the whole country in i wouldnt trust them much more than the liberal nutters. i suppose things are getting better here slowly and at least the tories are doing it without putting up the council tax like the libs do all the time.
If that crabby nutter was not a liberal they might be better off but with him the only choice is the tories.
there is no other option really. there is not enough money in somerset for the lib dems...they just put the whole place in a right mess and have no idea how to run the council. labour are a bit better than the lib dems but after the mess they put the whole country in i wouldnt trust them much more than the liberal nutters. i suppose things are getting better here slowly and at least the tories are doing it without putting up the council tax like the libs do all the time. If that crabby nutter was not a liberal they might be better off but with him the only choice is the tories. jimeee

12:27pm Mon 18 Mar 13

CappoKid says...

More books for libraries, new schools, increased spending on flood protection and much more. RUBBISH, it was the Cons who tried shutting the Libraries in the first place, then got taken to court and had to do another u-turn. They are a joke. As for Flood protection, what about the levels flooded out for weeks, and were was the money; oh sorry we don't have any. Building Schools for the future was The Liberals policy and they built many good outstanding schools. The freeze on Council Tax is a bad thing all round. Front Line Services are going unfunded and now they want to reduce the Fire Service in Somerset as well and put lives at risk. They have spent 3 Million on an Office re-fit in County Hall, that's a good way of saving Somerset money is it. They are a joke and the sooner there gone the better for the people of Somerset. Saying all of that none of them are really up to much and all have there own faults but The Tories, what can you say. The people get what the people vote for. You always have a choice.......
More books for libraries, new schools, increased spending on flood protection and much more. RUBBISH, it was the Cons who tried shutting the Libraries in the first place, then got taken to court and had to do another u-turn. They are a joke. As for Flood protection, what about the levels flooded out for weeks, and were was the money; oh sorry we don't have any. Building Schools for the future was The Liberals policy and they built many good outstanding schools. The freeze on Council Tax is a bad thing all round. Front Line Services are going unfunded and now they want to reduce the Fire Service in Somerset as well and put lives at risk. They have spent 3 Million on an Office re-fit in County Hall, that's a good way of saving Somerset money is it. They are a joke and the sooner there gone the better for the people of Somerset. Saying all of that none of them are really up to much and all have there own faults but The Tories, what can you say. The people get what the people vote for. You always have a choice....... CappoKid

3:28pm Mon 18 Mar 13

ILG gone AWOL says...

The term 'Conservative Future' must be one of the best oxymorons ever published !
The term 'Conservative Future' must be one of the best oxymorons ever published ! ILG gone AWOL

10:54am Tue 19 Mar 13

topcataj says...

More books for libraries is indeed a piece of spin. Over the last few years the amount of money spent on books has been reduced to the lowest level of any comparable authority. And the extra money does not return it to previous funding levels.

One thing I would say about the office work at County Hall, money is being spent to squeeze more people in to County Hall and move out of other offices to sell them off or not renew leases. Whether the cost balances out I don't know, but it's not just a case of spending money at County Hall to get new shiny equipment. I can't imagine some of the 'consultants' involved are worth their money though....
More books for libraries is indeed a piece of spin. Over the last few years the amount of money spent on books has been reduced to the lowest level of any comparable authority. And the extra money does not return it to previous funding levels. One thing I would say about the office work at County Hall, money is being spent to squeeze more people in to County Hall and move out of other offices to sell them off or not renew leases. Whether the cost balances out I don't know, but it's not just a case of spending money at County Hall to get new shiny equipment. I can't imagine some of the 'consultants' involved are worth their money though.... topcataj

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