The South Gloucestershire Conservatives today officially launched their bid to retain control of the Council in this year’s local elections by fielding the most diverse range of candidates ever.
In a testament to the Conservatives’ commitment to South Glos, the party is fielding a full slate of candidates for all 61 council seats. And 20% of the party’s district council candidates are people from ethnic minority backgrounds.
Free parking in all Council-owned car parks, continued success in boosting attainment levels in schools, ensuring South Glos remains among the top performing councils in the country for recycling and investing in the local road network are just some of the key pledges the Conservatives will seek to deliver if re-elected.
In Parkwall & Warmley, candidates Sam Bromiley and Elizabeth Bromiley will fight to make innovative noise cameras to tackle anti-social drivers a permanent fixture following a successful trial earlier this year.
In Emersons Green Rachael Hunt, Colin Hunt and Alka Mehta-Graham will continue to campaign for a new secondary school in Lyde Green, which is now closer than ever before following a recent £30m funding announcement from the Department for Education.
Keith Cranney, Nilanjan (Neel) DasGupta and Tony Griffiths, standing in Stoke Gifford, will continue to work with the Council, schools and the local NHS to ensure public services are able to meet demand.
In Winterbourne, Nic Labuschagne and Trevor Jones have vowed to do as much as they can to improve pedestrian safety at Damsons Bridge and will soon see the completion of a new building at Elm Park Primary School.
Across the whole district, the Conservatives will continue to press the Labour WECA Mayor for better public transport services, will ensure homes are built at the right locations while our precious green belt is protected and will ensure council tax levels remain affordable.
Cllr Toby Savage, Conservative Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said: “With the help of residents, local businesses and so many dedicated community groups, this Conservative administration has delivered real improvements across South Gloucestershire since 2019. If we are re-elected in May, we will continue to do everything within our power to ensure our area is able to thrive.
“All of our candidates at this year’s district and parish elections are hardworking, knowledgeable and care deeply about serving the communities in which they live and work. When meeting them on the campaign trail, I have been really impressed by their dedication and I have every faith that they will all make brilliant councillors.
“By delivering on our priorities, we will continue to have a hugely positive impact on the lives of local people, and we look forward to continuing to serve residents during the next Council term.”
Since 2019, the Conservatives have driven up education standards, meaning 90% of pupils in South Glos are now being taught in Good or Outstanding schools. They have also invested tens of millions of pounds in education provision, including building new schools and refurbishing existing ones, alongside creating extra provision for children with additional learning needs.
The Conservatives have achieved record recycling rates, putting South Glos among the best performing councils in the country, and taken significant action to tackle the climate emergency.
They have delivered new public transport infrastructure, including new park and ride provision and MetroBus extensions, and invested in local high streets to boost the economy.
They have been at the forefront of campaigns to oppose the WECA Mayor’s bus cuts and unsustainable housing targets and have expanded the flagship Science Park in Lyde Green to create new jobs and bring innovative business to our region.
And thanks to the administration’s sound management of the Council’s finances year after year, 2023 will see free parking remain in place in all Council-owned car parks across South Glos.
This year, despite a cost of living crisis and significant budget challenges due to high inflation rates caused by the war in Ukraine, the Conservatives have been able to ensure that the Chipping Sodbury street marshal service is able to continue, that the annual charge for the garden waste collection service is frozen at £30 and that the Bristol Ring Road has been cleared of litter regularly thrown out of car windows.
