The Conservatives launched their local election campaign yesterday with the release of 30 blue balloons – representing each Bradford Council seat they are contesting.

They began with a commitment to continue to deliver high-quality services for residents, campaigning under the banner of “A Record of Action, A Promise of More”.

Their manifesto details the achievements of the Conservative-led Council over the last 12 months and set out the policy priorities for the Tory group in the year ahead.

Conservative group leader Councillor Kris Hopkins said: “As a result of the leadership we have offered, Bradford’s voice is now taken very seriously, both in the wider Yorkshire region and nationally, increasing the district’s chances of attracting more inward investment, new jobs and greater prosperity.

“But there is a lot left to do, and we must not allow Labour to put the district’s progress at risk.”

Conservative group deputy leader Councillor Dale Smith said: “Under Conservative leadership, Bradford Council’s adult services have received the highest four-star rating in the annual independent inspection and been awarded beacon status for our work with older people.

“But we must never be complacent, which is why the Conservatives secured a major increase in funding for adults in need of social care in the Council’s budget for the new financial year.”

Conservative group chief whip Councillor Anne Hawkesworth said: “After the damage inflicted on the quality of local services and the reputation of the Council under Labour, the Conservatives have led Bradford district out of the wilderness and into a much more positive future.

“Bradford’s designation as the world’s first UNESCO City of Film is an example of the high regard in which this district and its people are now held, but we must maintain this momentum.”

The Policy Priorities Of The Conservative Party Manifesto:

Raising educational attainment
Education and skills will remain our top priority for the district. We have delivered on our promise to return responsibility for education services to City Hall and the transition has begun. Thanks to the funding from the Conservative-led Council, new BSF schools have been delivered across the district with the promise of more to come.

Looking after older residents
Residents deserve the best care in their later years. Under Conservative leadership, Bradford Council’s Adult Services Department has received the highest “four star” rating in its annual inspection and been awarded “beacon” status for its work with older people. Conservatives have also secured an increase in funding for adults in need of social care in the Council’s budget for the new financial year.

Giving value for money
Despite cuts in Government funding and the economic mess created by Gordon Brown, Conservative councillors have again delivered one of the lowest council tax rises in Yorkshire at just 0.9 per cent. We will continue to keep tax bills low.

Tackling crime
Over recent months, Conservative-led Bradford Council and West Yorkshire Police have led and funded a district-wide crackdown on uninsured drivers through the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras and the crushing of offenders’ vehicles. We have also allocated extra money to pay for more local Police Community Support Officers and introduced a new neighbourhood warden scheme.

Providing safer roads
We have made safer roads a priority and this approach will continue in the year ahead. The Council has provided more money for winter gritting, grit bins and fixing potholes than ever before and, in the budget for the next financial year, over £1m has been allocated to improve highways.

Regenerating the district
Strong Conservative leadership has enabled speedy progress to be made in delivering the City Park to bring new jobs and investment. At our insistence, the Bradford City Regeneration company has been disbanded and replaced with a more accountable regeneration board with a clear plan for action. Bingley Market Square, Keighley Market and Shipley town centre have also benefited from the Council’s regeneration programme.

Promoting a greener environment
The district’s recycling and composting rates are continuing to improve, the amounts of household and municipal waste being sent to landfill are going down and the Council is producing its own biomass fuel in the form of wood chip. The Community Warmth Scheme has saved over £3m in heating bills for residents and major additional investment has gone into carbon reduction for the year ahead. Additionally, an Air Quality Action Plan has been agreed, a new Environmental Unit has been established and the Environment Task Force is continuing to gain great credit for its achievements.

Improving quality of life
As a result of our efforts, Council funding has been provided to offer free swimming for over 60s and under 16s across the district. Bradford has become the world’s first UNESCO City of Film and only the second UK city to host a Jamie Oliver Ministry of Food. The first Bradford City Run – proposed by the Conservatives – was held in October and is set to become a key date in Yorkshire’s sporting calendar.