Conservatives in South Lakeland have today (16 April) published their election manifesto – Time for Action, Time for Change – ahead of the local elections on 2 May.
The manifesto was published in Kendal where South Lakeland’s Lib Dem Council intends to spend £5 million on a makeover of the local authority’s offices.
Stopping the project and freezing council tax and car parking charges across the district is a key part of the manifesto, with commitments to boost jobs and investment across South Lakeland.
While other parts of the country continue to grow, in South Lakeland average wages continue to lag behind the rest of the nation.
The manifesto pledges to create an enterprise district across South Lakes to support tourism and agriculture, and attract high-value manufacturing jobs, creative and digital industries, and medical life sciences employment to our area.
On health, while Carlisle has recently secured a new £30 million radiotherapy service, the current council has failed to get South Lakeland’s voice heard when it comes to investment in our local NHS.
The Government is investing an extra £20.5 billion in the NHS – the biggest single cash-boost in history. The manifesto commits to making sure South Lakes residents can help to decide where extra money for the NHS is spent locally.
The manifesto also contains key pledges on the environment and reforms to local government.
Councillor Ben Berry, leader of the Conservative Group on South Lakeland District Council, said: “At the heart of this manifesto is the people of South Lakeland.
“From the fixed-income grandparents struggling to meet rising council tax bills and parking charges, to the young person who faces having to leave South Lakeland to get a decent pay-packet, we promise to make a positive difference to their lives.
“That’s why we’re opposed to the council’s plans to spend £5 million on a luxury makeover of councillors’ offices in Kendal and will instead freeze council tax and invest in the services we all use.
“Our council has been run by the same party for more than a decade and has grown complacent when it comes to securing good jobs, delivering excellent council services and providing value for money.
“We have a real plan for the future of South Lakeland that places residents at the centre.”
