Local Conservatives recognise that elections are about the future of the whole district and their policies build on the established traditions of Conservatism: encouragement for those who take responsibility for the lives of themselves and others, and assistance for those who cannot look after themselves.

Our objective - as set out before the local elections in May 2007 - was to tackle the problems of the area with positive policies for improving the quality of life, based on common sense and a responsible attitude to the use of taxpayers’ money. We said we would seek to improve the environment and take steps to tackle the traffic and other transport problems of the district. We also said we would keep car parking charges under review with the aim of increasing the attractiveness of shopping in Morecambe and Lancaster, and improving the prosperity of both centres.

Despite having only two councillors out of the ten in the Cabinet, we made substantial progress on all of these matters while Conservatives led the City Council in the period May 2007 to February 2009.

Local Conservative Policies

• development of brownfield sites, rather than further encroachment into the countryside;
• a renewed sense of local pride in our district, its heritage and its environment;
• planners listening to local views;
• support for the continuing role of Parish Councils in rural areas and for new Parish Councils in neighbourhoods where they do not exist at present;
• focus on provision of traditional services such as cleaner streets and effective rubbish collection;
• car parking fees at a reasonable price;
• improved traffic management;
• the building of a Heysham – M6 Link Road;
• investment in new infrastructure and jobs;
• regular maintenance of council owned property;
• more leisure opportunities for young people linked to improved measures to tackle vandalism.

Hopes for the next few years within the Lancaster District:

• more co-operation between councillors of different groups,
• action to improve traffic management,
• a start to the construction of an M6 Link Road,
• the opening of a refurbished Midland Hotel in Morecambe,
• a wider variety of local employment opportunities, and
• improved facilities in rural areas to match those provided in urban areas.