Hillingdon Conservatives Manifesto 2014
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0% Increase for Hillingdon Residents HILLINGDON CONSERVATIVES PUTTING RESIDENTS FIRST The Conservative Manifesto for the London Borough of Hillingdon Council Elections on 22 May 2014 PUTTING RESIDENTS FIRST CONTENTS A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM THE LEADER OF HILLINGDON COUNCIL 1 A MESSAGE FROM BORIS JOHNSON 2 OUR PEOPLE 3 OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 5 OUR BUILT ENVIRONMENT 6 OUR HERITAGE AND CIVIC PRIDE 7 FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 8 THE CHOICE AT THIS ELECTION 9 YOUR HILLINGDON CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATES 10 For more information about the policies contained in this manifesto, please contact us: 32 High Street, Northwood, Middx, HA6 1BN 01923 822876 [email protected] hillingdonconservatives.org Promoted and Printed by Ann Taggart on behalf of Hillingdon Conservatives, both of 32 High Street, Northwood, Middx, HA6 1BN. PUTTING RESIDENTS FIRST A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM THE LEADER OF HILLINGDON COUNCIL Dear Resident, Now recognised in a number of areas of activity as one of the best councils in the Country, Hillingdon Council is financially stable and well managed. No -one of whatever political colour can deny this if they are honest. Over the past four years, despite significant reductions in financial support from Central Government, whilst other councils cut services and facilities, under the control of Hillingdon Conservatives our Council has continued to go from strength to strength, providing even better services and facilities for the residents of the Borough. The next four years will be difficult for local authorities with further reductions in funding already announced but in Hillingdon, unlike the local Labour Group who have demonstrated a lack of even basic mathematical ability, the Conservative Administration have a record of achievement and financial management that is the envy of many councils and we are well placed to deal with the challenges ahead. I am proud of our record of achievement over the past twelve years and am happy to be judged on that record on 22nd May. Politicians will always make promises but in Hillingdon the Conservative Administration have an enviable record of delivery matched by no other party. I have lived in Hillingdon all of my life and I am proud of the people, the environment and the heritage of this Borough and whilst it is possible to fill pages with details listing our achievements and our intentions; this manifesto covers four broad themes: • Our People • Our Natural and Built Environment • Our Heritage and Civic Pride • Financial Management This election is about what is best for the people of Hillingdon in the years ahead and which political party has the proven ability to deliver. It is easy to whinge and whine but it takes a managed well structured and financially competent administration to actually deliver. Yes we do understand finance and business process – but above all we understand our people, their aspirations and concerns. For us it really is about, “Putting Residents First” RAY PUDDIFOOT MBE CONSERVATIVE LEADER, HILLINGDON COUNCIL 1 PUTTING RESIDENTS FIRST A MESSAGE FROM BORIS JOHNSON Ray Puddifoot and his team of Conservative Councillors have transformed Hillingdon Borough. With superb leisure facilities, more green flag parks and open spaces than any other local authority in the country and the amazing achievement of rebuilding or refurbishing every one of its libraries as well as freezing Council Tax year after year. The support that Hillingdon provides for its older residents is unique in London and its plans to build more youth clubs, a theatre and a museum are a testament to what can be achieved through strong political leadership and good financial management. Boris Johnson PUTTING RESIDENTS FIRST 2 PUTTING RESIDENTS FIRST OUR PEOPLE We will continue to put you, the people of this Borough at the heart of all we do. We are elected to serve you and we put residents first. Amongst the things we will do are: • The Leaders’ Initiative for Older Residents will continue, which has delivered amongst other things free burglar alarms, the brown badge scheme for over 65s and support for Older Peoples’ clubs and associations. The Leader of the Council will also remain as the Older Persons’ Champion. We will provide free allotments and swimming lessons for the over 65s and free telecare initially for over 80s and by 2017 for those over 75. • Every child in the borough, from North to South will have the best start in life with a place at a primary school as close to their home as possible. • We will provide a fund of £400,000 to promote and support sport and activity for all – from our youngest to our oldest residents. • We will build on the success and popularity of the Hillingdon First Card expanding its use and benefits. • Improve the Hillingdon First Time Buyers’ Scheme helping our young people, with at least 10 years residency in the Borough, by increasing the property value threshold to £250,000. • Increase spending on Children’s Social Care and those moving through to Adult Services by nearly £2,500,000. PUTTING RESIDENTS FIRST 3 PUTTING RESIDENTS FIRST OUR PEOPLE • Increase spending on Adult Social Care by £4,300,000. • Maintain our policy of the best person for the job regardless of sex, age, race or other factors. • Work with Jobcentre Plus to continue successful changes to Welfare Reform and with Uxbridge College to enhance skills resulting in employment opportunities. • Invest even more in providing facilities and activities for our younger residents. • We will use our network of Street Champions, not only to report problems but to ensure that their local knowledge is available to us when formulating policy. In particular we will link Street Champions with Neighbourhood Watch Schemes. • Continue to work closely with the police, providing funding for additional police REMEMBER officers to target crime and anti-social behaviour across the whole of Hillingdon. Only Conservative Councillors have the ability • Deliver improved public health and and commitment to deliver enhance the service jointly provided by both strong financial our health partners and social services. management and services We will achieve this by working in for our residents. partnership and directly managing the Better Care Fund budget. PUTTING RESIDENTS FIRST 4 PUTTING RESIDENTS FIRST OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Hillingdon now has more parks and open space land under green flag status than any other local authority in the UK. The protection of our environment continues to be a priority. We will: • Continue to deliver the popular Chrysalis programme investing £1million a year in environmental projects including alley gate security schemes put forward by residents. • We will continue to lead on and support local residents once again threatened by the proposal to build a 3rd and possibly a 4th runway at Heathrow. • Whilst not campaigning to close Heathrow we agree, on this occasion with local MP John McDonnell when he says, “We will need to counter the threat to jobs campaign that has been funded by Heathrow Airport in the Back Heathrow Campaign”. We will do this by dealing in a strong and robust manner with the airport operators spurious threat to close the airport and create unemployment if they are not given the go ahead to build a third runway. The best way to deal with a bully is to stand up to them. We are the only party in Hillingdon with the ability and courage to do this. • Continue to lead on and support local residents campaigning against the ‘White Elephant’ that is the current HS2 proposal regardless of how much it costs or how long it takes to defeat this folly. We welcome the late arrival of other parties to this cause. • We will continue to improve our parks and open spaces including Cranford Park and Swakeleys Park. • Continue to promote a Civic Pride in the natural environment, encouraging both protection and enjoyment of this precious asset. • Continue the popular and easy to use weekly refuse, recycling, green, textile and food waste collection that is the envy of other boroughs. No Charges, No Fines, No Chips, No Multi Coloured Bins. PUTTING RESIDENTS FIRST 5 PUTTING RESIDENTS FIRST OUR BUILT ENVIRONMENT Hillingdon now has some of the best leisure facilities in London and in these times of financial cutbacks is the only local authority in the country to have rebuilt or refurbished all of its libraries. • We will build a Borough Museum with free entry to all Hillingdon residents. • We will continue our Primary school expansion programme, the largest in London, and will extend this to include Secondary schools to provide sufficient places for the expanding school population. • We will build a 1,200 seat, state of the art theatre and music auditorium in Uxbridge. • We will build a further three Young People’s Centres across the Borough. • As the NHS does not have the funding we will build a new, much needed Health Centre in Yiewsley and let it to local GP practices. • Continue to work to provide good quality housing and management to our residents. • We will exceed over the next 4 years the targets set out in the London Plan for both affordable and new housing units. • Continue to defend our residents against inappropriate development, such as the recent Powerday proposal, from both builders and the Government regardless of its political colour. • Continue to invest millions of pounds in improving roads and footpaths in the Borough. • Carry on our programme of road safety initiatives and new pedestrian crossings, working closely with local residents. • Provide support to our key town centre shopping areas such as Harefield and Hayes, including the provision of new shop front grants. PUTTING RESIDENTS FIRST 6 PUTTING RESIDENTS FIRST OUR HERITAGE AND CIVIC PRIDE Hillingdon has a rich heritage and history within its boundaries which we will endeavour to protect.