Parties set out visions for Gloucestershire ahead of county council vote

VOTERS will head to the polls on Thursday, May 1 to elect their representatives on Gloucestershire County Council.

- Carmelo GARCIA Local Democracy Reporter [e-mail]

The authority, which has a budget of more than £665m this year, is responsible for the county's roads and highways, education, social care, libraries, and environmental services.

The Conservatives have led Shire Hall for almost 20 years and going into these elections they are the largest group with 26 councillors.

The Liberal Democrats currently have 16 seats on the council while the Greens and Labour have four councillors each.

There are also two former Tory Independent councillors on the authority. And there is a vacancy due to the sudden resignation of David Drew in February. This time there are 55 seats up for grabs after two new divisions were created.

Major parties fielding candidates in this year's election have been approached to set out their vision for the county.

» Conservative Party

We will fight to keep Gloucestershire united in the current Local Government Reform process - avoiding an East-West split that would divide our county and duplicate bureaucracy. Instead, we'll deliver real savings and better services for residents:

£100 refund for all Council Tax payers upon the creation of a single Gloucestershire Council.

Cut the cost of garden waste bins by 50%.

We're delivering real improvements to roads and transport. Over the next four years:

£100 million investment in resurfacing and pothole repair.

Launch of a Rural Roads Programme tailored for countryside communities.

New Pavement Maintenance Programme for safer walking routes.

90,000 potholes fixed over the last two years - up 100% and counting.

We will stand firm against inappropriate and unsustainable housing developments:

Oppose housebuilding without infrastructure to match.

Support a unitary authority model for clearer, more accountable planning decisions.

Continue investing in rural transport.

We're driving forward economic growth while protecting the environment: