East Cambs Conservatives put sound management of the Council at the heart of their manifesto.

Sound financial management of East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC) is at the heart of the Conservative manifesto which is being launched today. The District Council elections are on Thursday 7th May 2015, the same day as the General Election.

Decisions taken by Conservatives over the last four years mean that ECDC is in a unique position in Cambridgeshire as the only Council to have a balanced budget for the next two years.

Leader of ECDC and the Conservative group, James Palmer said “We have taken some difficult and radical decisions over the last four years, not least, cutting 14 posts from the senior management team. Tight control of the budget and sound financial management are the absolute cornerstone to delivering our ambitious plans. We will continue to drive the Council hard for more savings and cutting of red tape - there is a real ‘can do’ attitude at the Council now, with junior staff being empowered to take decisions and put forward ideas. East Cambs is a small authority but it really does punch above its weight and I am excited for the future.”

The full text of the manifesto can be seen here: http://www.secca.org.uk/district-council-election-2015

Conservative achievements and manifesto pledges for the future include:

• A freeze on the East Cambs element of Council Tax in 2016/17 - that’s a 0% increase for 3 years
• Continued support for Community Land Trusts - an innovative method of delivering genuinely affordable housing for local working people, run by local people, for local people
• A fantastic record on recycling following the introduction of wheelie bins - going from a 33% recycling rate to 54% across the District, with the aim of increasing this to 60% over the next term
• Planning permission for the six-screen cinema and leisure centre on Downham Road, Ely, with the cinema set to open by summer 2016
• Ensured commitment and planning permission from Cambridgeshire County Council to deliver the Ely Southern Bypass by the end of 2017
• Got a timetabled plan for Network Rail to rebuild Soham Railway Station
• Retained free parking in our city and town centre car parks and a promise to do the same over the next term
• Helped to ensure the continuation of community transport ‘Dial-a-Ride’ services across the district
• Introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which ensures up-front payments for infrastructure and services from developers
• Introduction of a tough policy on wind farms so we can control and refuse inappropriate developments
• Brought in new jobs and businesses to the district and encouraged start up companies
• Supported opportunities for young people, promoting apprenticeships with local businesses and running of the East Cambs Skills Fair to introduce young people to companies

LATEST NEWS

CAMBRIDGESHIRE ALLOWED TO RETAIN 100% OF ADDITIONAL BUSINESS RATE GROWTH FROM APRIL 2015

Under plans announced by Conservative Chancellor George Osborne in the March budget, ECDC is set to receive 100% of business rates growth above the national forecast plus 1%. If re-elected, the Conservative group at the District Council will ring-fence all the additional money to be spent on business development, creation of new jobs and opportunities for young people throughout the district.

PLANNING PERMISSION FOR THE SIX-SCREEN CINEMA AND LEISURE CENTRE GRANTED

On 1st April the Planning Committee at ECDC granted planning permission for the six-screen cinema and leisure centre - a long awaited ambition of local people and Conservatives. The cinema and its associated restaurants are set to open by summer 2016.

A RECORD OF ACTION - A PROMISE OF MORE

OUR RECORD:

✓ Frozen Council Tax for last two years

✓ Cut senior management posts, saving £500K annually

✓ Put forward plans to cut the number of Councillors

✓ Begun a review of staff pay to replace automatic increases with performance related pay

✓ Supported delivery of genuinely affordable homes through Community Land Trusts

✓ Introduced wheelie bins - recycling has gone from 33% to 54%

✓ Brought in developers of a 6 screen cinema

✓ Progressed plans for the new leisure centre in Ely

✓ Ensured commitment and planning permission for the Ely Bypass

✓ Got a timetabled plan for Network Rail to build Soham Railway Station

✓ Kept free parking in our city and town centre car parks

✓ Supported the A14 upgrade

✓ Helped to ensure community transport Dial-a-Ride routes continue

✓ Made developers pay up front for infrastructure and services through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

✓ Introduced a tough policy to control wind farm development

✓ Brought in funding and new jobs to the district

✓ Developed and promoted opportunities for young people

OUR PROMISES, WE WILL:

✓ Freeze the East Cambs element of Council Tax for 2016/17

✓ Support more Community Land Trusts in other communities

✓ Aim for a 60% recycling rate and ensure bins are put back tidily

✓ Oversee delivery of the cinema

✓ Deliver the leisure centre in Ely and review and support leisure services throughout the district

✓ Push to ensure the Ely Bypass is built

✓ Keep free car parking in our city and town centre car parks

✓ Seek to increase car parking spaces at Littleport Station and Angel Drove, Ely

✓ Use the business rates retention fund on business development, creation of new jobs and opportunities for young people