THE CONSERVATIVE leader of Wychavon District Council has pledged his party will keep council tax low and invest in the district’s town centres if they are handed the keys to power on May 2.
Local Tories launched their People, Place and Prosperity campaign ahead of the local elections next month and Coun Bradley Thomas (pictured) said his party had a ‘strong track record of keeping council tax low’
A bid to improve parks and green spaces and to ensure new housing developments are design led are also among the priorities for the party.
Since 2015, Conservative-led Wychavon District Council has delivered a two-year council tax freeze, spent £1.6million on community projects, tackled 10 fly-tipping hotspots, brought 182 long-term empty homes back into use, delivered a new Waitrose store in Evesham and spent £1.25 million on leisure centre and high street improvements in Droitwich.
The Conservatives have also supported the creation of 3,000 new jobs in the district since 2015, supported the building of 1,066 affordable homes and prevented 713 people from becoming homeless, according to figures from the party.
If elected on May 2, the Conservatives have pledged to increase the level of cycling and walking by supporting new routes in Evesham and cycling and walking plans in Pershore and Droitwich.
A further £200,000 will be spent tackling social mobility across Wychavon and another £200,000 will improve parks, play areas and play equipment.
Party chiefs also want to improve the design of new housing developments through the creation of an Urban
Designer post at the council and support growing manufacturing businesses with the creation of small business units.
Community-led transport options will be boosted with three years of allocated funding while the Conservatives hope to breath new life into town centres in Evesham, Pershore and Droitwich by spending £150,000 to get them fit for the future.
Coun Thomas, said: “Our campaign will build on our record, shining a light on what we have delivered across Evesham, Pershore and everywhere in between.
“We’ve invested £22.6million in social and economic projects across the district since 2015 as well as delivered a second consecutive district precept council tax freeze.
“A Conservative-led Wychavon District Council will continue to deliver strong economic growth across our district whilst improving the quality of urban design which will strengthen communities as well as continue to improve the quality of our environment.
“The vulnerable in our communities are high on our priority list with an ongoing commitment to improving social mobility for the most vulnerable children in addition to funding community-led transport over the next three years,” he added.
