Our Priorities:
The Conservative Group believes that the Council should live within its means and that tax increases should not go up above the rate of inflation. The Council should focus on what it is there to do and do this well. It should prioritise its expenditure on things that matter most.
In drawing up our budget our priorities are: social services, education, reducing crime, waste collection and recycling.
Southampton Conservatives propose a Council Tax increase of only 1.97%. This compares with an inflation rate of 2.4% (RPI Nov 04 - Nov 05).
I have set out below some of the differences between the Conservative Budget and the Lib Dem Administration's budget.
Areas where we work spend more (than the current Administration):
- Increased Resources for Foster Carers
- Free Monthly Glass Collection
- New Residents Parking Schemes
- Pilots to improve Recycling Collection Rates in Flats
- Commercial Waste Recycling scheme
- Retain the weekly collection of green wheelie bins
- Protect Social Services care packages
- No increase to charges for non residential care packages
- Better lighting in City Centre parks
- Pay for the a car park for Bitterne Park Triangle
- Abolish Council Tax for special constables
Areas where we would spend less (than the current Administration):
- Stop funding of Unions with tax payers' money
- Withdraw funding for Southampton Unemployment Centre
- Delete International Initiatives Budget
- Reduce the amount spent on glossy booklets
- Introduce a Moratorium on staff in back office functions (i.e. when staff leave we won't automatically fill the posts)
- Generate more money in sponsorship (such as sponsorship on roundabouts, avertising in City View on the Council's website)
If you want further information on our proposals please get in touch and I will be happy to address and questions or concerns that you might have.
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