We asked all parties fielding five or more candidates for a statement on their priorities if elected. This is an election message from the Conservative Party.

Priorities for a Conservative Bradford Council:

  1. A comprehensive anti-crime strategy focused on the most intrusive crimes – burglary, dangerous driving, robbery and domestic violence.
  2. Reviewing – as Leeds City Council are already doing – the housing number estimates in the local plan helping to protect the green belt and the identity of smaller communities.
  3. Working with local communities right across the district – promoting local pride and encouraging social action.
  4. A revised economic strategy looking at improving Bradford’s very low levels of female participation, supporting older workers facing redundancy or job change to develop new skills, and incentivising start-up businesses.
  5. Reversing changes to waste collections recognising that a ‘one size fits all’ solution isn’t right for such a diverse district, especially for rural areas.
  6. Building on the success of free schools and academies in improving Bradford’s educational performance and actively supporting educational innovation.
  7. Developing planning policies to encourage more homes matching the needs of older residents in the communities where those people now live.
  8. Ending, where possible, planning policies that prevent or restrict new business creation or business expansion.

A Conservative Bradford would serve all communities and all residents with the aim of providing the highest quality of services for the lowest possible level of council tax.