Bradford Conservatives

Bradford Council Conservative Group Leader Cllr Anne Hawkesworth has called for more women across the district to get involved in local politics and stand for election to City Hall.

Speaking at a lunch in aid of Macmillan Cancer at The Craiglands Hotel in Ilkley, Cllr Hawkesworth said she believed there is a perception of the existence of a glass ceiling which stops women from progressing to the highest ranks of political life in Bradford district.

“But, with regard to the Conservative Party, that is simply not the case,” she argued.

“I do not think for a second that my gender came into the equation when, last month, I successfully stood for election as Conservative Group Leader

“And, of course, my predecessor but one – Cllr Margaret Eaton – has been awarded a peerage in honour of her achievements both as a former Leader of Bradford Council and, more recently, as Chairman of the Local Government Association.

“Having said that, I do not believe we have anything like enough female Conservative councillors in Bradford City Hall.

“Further increasing the numbers of women standing as Conservative candidates is one of my primary objectives as Conservative Group Leader and I will be getting out and about to encourage women from across the district to come forward.

“It is unfortunate that the Council’s Labour-controlled Executive does not include a single female member, despite the Labour Group having a number of very capable women on its benches.” 

Bradford Council Conservative Group Leader Cllr Anne Hawkesworth has today announced her Shadow Executive for the new municipal year.

In addition to her leadership duties, the Ilkley councillor will have responsibility for the widening regional agenda, together with culture, planning and highways.

Newly-elected Deputy Leader Cllr Glen Miller will take the corporate and organisational change portfolios, with Chief Whip Cllr Mike Ellis looking after environment and climate change.

Long-serving Wharfedale councillor Dale Smith will shadow social care, for which he previously had responsibility on the Council’s Executive, with Cllr Adrian Naylor taking the education portfolio.

Cllr Malcolm Sykes, another former member of the Council’s Executive, will shadow regeneration, with Bowling and Barkerend councillor Zameer Shah taking charge of the community safety portfolio.

Commenting, Cllr Hawkesworth said she believed she had a very strong team which would mount strong but responsible opposition to the Labour Group which has taken leadership of the authority following the Liberal Democrats’ failure to vote at the Council’s AGM.

“The Shadow team includes an excellent blend of differing experiences which will allow us to ensure that the key decisions taken by the Executive will be subject to intense but constructive scrutiny,” she said.

“We will not adopt a wreckers’ agenda but, instead, will seek to do what is right for the people who elected us.

“There is a severe shortage of financial resources both locally and nationally at the present time and that is likely to remain he case for several years to come.

“We must therefore seek to ensure that every public pound spent in Bradford district is used wisely and for the betterment of all local residents.”

The Conservative Shadow Executive for 2010-11 is as follows:

Cllr Anne Hawkesworth - Leader, Regional, Culture, Planning and Highways

Cllr Glen Miller - Deputy Leader, Corporate and Change

Cllr Mike Ellis - Chief Whip, Environment and Climate Change

Cllr Adrian Naylor - Education

Cllr Malcolm Sykes - Regeneration

Cllr Zameer Shah - Community Safety

Cllr Dale Smith - Social Care

Bradford district Conservatives today formally launched their local election campaign with a commitment to continue to deliver high quality services for residents, coupled with a warning that Labour gains on 6^th May would put the district’s progress at risk.

Campaigning under the banner, “A Record of Action, A Promise of More,” Conservative candidates and supporters gathered at Northcliffe playing fields in Shipley – at the centre of Bradford district - to release 30 balloons, representing each ward up for election. 

And they issued a document which detailed the achievements of the Conservative-led Bradford Council over the last twelve months and set out the policy priorities for the Conservative Group in the year ahead.         

Raising educational attainment will continue to be the Conservatives’ top priority, alongside looking after older residents, giving value for money, regenerating the district, tackling local crime, providing safer roads, promoting a greener environment and improving quality of life.

Conservative Group Leader Cllr Kris Hopkins said:

“After years of neglect and incompetence when the Labour Party was last in control of Bradford Council, Conservatives have delivered significant improvements in the quality of local services across the district.

“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. 

“I hope residents come out in big numbers on 6^th May to vote for their local Conservative candidate.”   

Conservative Group Deputy Leader Cllr 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 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. 

“Alongside older residents, we have also stepped forward to support our young people by delivering on our promise to return responsibility for education services to the local authority.

“The Conservatives will not let the people of this district down and we therefore ask residents to support us to continue our work at the local elections.”        

Conservative Group Chief Whip Cllr Anne Hawkesworth said:

“We have chosen to launch our campaign in Shipley because, unlike the Labour Party, Conservatives recognise that there are 30 wards in Bradford district and it is our duty and responsibility to represent the needs of everyone who lives here.

“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.   

“It is only by voting Conservative on 6^th May that our progress can be secured.”   

Bradford Conservative Association has selected Parliamentary Candidates for the new Bradford East and Bradford South constituencies.

Mohammed Riaz was selected for Bradford East and Matt Palmer selected for Bradford South.

Barry Whitaker, Chairman of Bradford Conservative Association, said:

“I would like to congratulate Matt Palmer and Mohammed Riaz on their selections in Bradford South and Bradford East.

“They now complete our team for the three new Bradford Parliamentary Constituencies and I look working with them and Zahid Iqbal, our Parliamentary Candidate for Bradford West, in the months to come.”

Well-known local businessman Chris Herd has been chosen to stand as the Conservative candidate in Keighley West at next year’s local elections.

39-year-old Mr Herd has been the proprietor of C & L Herd Family Butchers on Queen’s Road since 1998 and employs seven members of staff.

He also runs Great Stones Farm in Oxenhope where, with his wife Linda, he rears cattle and lambs.

He and Linda have been married for 16 years and have three children.

Outside of work, Chris is involved in a wide-ranging of outdoor pursuits and is a keen carriage driver.  His other main interest is politics.

“I am very pleased to have been selected as the Conservative candidate in Keighley West,” Mr Herd commented.

“I am a life-long Conservative and believe the party has the right ideas to improve life for local residents in the town.

“From a personal point of view, it would also be a tremendous honour to use my experience and knowledge of the area to serve the people of Keighley West on Bradford Council.

“There is a lot of hard work ahead between now and the local elections next May but I can’t wait to get on with it.”

Bradford Council Conservative Group Leader Cllr Kris Hopkins, who is also the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Keighley and Ilkley, said he was delighted to have Mr Herd on board.

“Chris is a highly respected and very popular local businessman who would be an outstanding representative for Keighley West in Bradford City Hall,” he commented.

“His job allows him to hear at first hand each day what problems residents are facing and how they want them to be addressed.

“He also has a very strong work ethic and commitment to doing a good job on behalf of others.

“I very much hope Chris is successful in May 2010 and urge the people of Keighley West to get behind him to ensure this happens.”

Bradford Council’s Conservative and Liberal Democrat Group Leaders have agreed to continue working together over the next twelve months to deliver high quality local services for residents across the district.

The joint commitment was made in advance of tomorrow’s (Tuesday) Annual General Meeting when, with the support of both Groups, Cllr Kris Hopkins (Conservative, Worth Valley) is expected to be re-elected as Council Leader for the new municipal year.

Cllr Hopkins said he was pleased that agreement on a shared Conservative – Liberal Democrat agenda had again been reached.

“Clearly, the budget which our two Groups agreed in February, along with the Greens, will be the bedrock for much of what we hope to achieve in the year ahead,” he commented.

“The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have a collective determination to continue delivering better services and improving the quality of life for everyone living in the district.

“Children and young people will once again be our shared priority, followed closely by social care for adults, regeneration and the environment.

“Given the very difficult economic circumstances we currently face, it is vital that we take the right decisions in the most cost effective manner possible for local residents.  That is exactly what we intend to do.”

Cllr Jeanette Sunderland (Liberal Democrat, Idle and Thackley) said she believed it was right that Liberal Democrats again stepped forward to take responsibility for the interests of residents.

“Rather than stand on the fringes of the debate and talk Bradford district down, we want to continue making a positive contribution to the lives of local people.

“Ensuring the continuum of care for young people is one area of particular concern for us and I hope progress can be made on this very soon.

“Like the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats also wish to see responsibility for education returned to the Council when the current contract with Education Bradford comes to an end.

“And we need to agree a practical, affordable and sustainable waste management process for the district which can deal with all forms of waste into the longer term.

“I welcome the agreement to continue working with the Conservatives and now look forward to getting on with the many tasks in hand.”

Bradford Council Conservative Group Leader Kris Hopkins has said he will vigorously oppose plans by a Government quango to close the vehicle testing station at Steeton.

Cllr Hopkins revealed that Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) has advised the Council that it intends to shut the Steeton site which undertakes approximately 5,000 tests each year.

The loss of the Steeton site would mean the Council and private sector vehicle operators having to use the facility at Rothwell in Leeds – a potential return journey of 65 miles.

“The closure of the Steeton testing station will result in Bradford Council having to take vehicles to the Leeds test centre, resulting in increased journey times of 400 hours per year, an additional 5000 miles of travel annually and seven extra tonnes of CO2 emissions from Council vehicles per year,” commented Cllr Hopkins.

“The direct cost to the local Council Tax payer is likely to be around £25,000.

“Private sector vehicle operators will be similarly inconvenienced and out-of-pocket.

“There will also be increased traffic flows along the already very busy A650, city centre and A647 routes, together with an estimated 300 extra tonnes of CO2 emissions from heavy good vehicles.

“And, as we face up to the most difficult economic circumstances for generations, the closure of the site will inevitably mean everyone currently employed there would lose their jobs and many private sector operator jobs would also be put at great risk.

“I will certainly be doing everything I can to attempt to convince the Government and VOSA to reverse their ill-advised decision to shut the Steeton facility and hope others with any influence on these matters will join me in my opposition to the plans.”

Bradford Council is signing up to a national campaign which promotes dignity in the care of older and vulnerable people.

The national Dignity in Care Campaign, launched by the Department of Health, aims to create a care system where there is zero tolerance towards the abuse of and disrepect towards older people and vulnerable adults. Greater emphasis is placed on the quality of care in hospitals, care homes and home care services.

To become a Dignity Champion means pledging to do something, however small, towards creating a care system that has compassion and respect for those it supports.

Coun Dale Smith, Executive Member for Adult Services, said: “My responsibility is to ensure that Dignity is embedded in all our actions and I wholeheartedly welcome this initiative.”

The Dignity Campaign and Dignity Champions highlights  the need to deliver high standards in the work done  and to not forget that we are caring for people, many of whom have led full and active lives. Many of us will need some form of care or support in the future and would want to be treated with dignity and respect and this is how we should ensure others are treated too.

The changes will mean a substantial increase in the number of enforcement officers working across the district and a reduction in the amount of illegal parking.

In the run-up to the take-over, a new team of civil enforcement officers will be practising their skills on illegally parked vehicles, issuing dummy tickets.

This will give motorists an opportunity to change their behaviour and find other places to park before the transfer comes into force. It will also give the Council chance to iron out any problems that may arise.

Coun Anne Hawkesworth, the Executive Member for Environment and Culture, said: “Illegal parking is both selfish and dangerous - blocking visibility, preventing emergency access and clogging up town and city centres.

“The dummy-run gives us a chance to remind people of their responsibilities when parking and to think about the impact.

“Improving enforcement is crucial to reducing congestion and allowing traffic to flow more freely around the district.”

Bradford Council has spent the last year preparing for the take-over by ensuring all the traffic regulations in the district are properly marked to avoid confusion and training up staff in parking laws and dealing with motorists.

The officers will be able to impose fines of £70 or £50 depending on the seriousness of the offence. The fine is reduced by half if paid within 14 days and there is an appeal procedure.

Eventually there will be 46 officers, 12 working in the city centre, eight each in Keighley and Shipley and six each in Bradford North, South and West.

Bradford Council has been awarded a prestigious status for its work with older people.

The Government’s Improvement and Development Agency (I&DeA) has awarded the Council ‘beacon’ status.

Beacon councils are regarded as centres of excellence for certain services, and help other local authorities to achieve results. They also help the Government to frame national policy and promote good practice.

Bradford Council was recognised for its work in involving older people in key decisions, and supporting and promoting greater independence and well being in later life.

The status was announced  Tuesday, March 3, by Communities Minister Sadiq Khan MP.

Coun Dale Smith, Executive Member for Social Care, said: “Being awarded beacon status is recognition of the excellent work that the Council and its partners have put in to help older people live independent lives.

“Innovations in technology mean that older people can now have greater involvement in their own assessment and care and can make informed decisions about the services they need.

“The Older People’s Partnership has been a powerful advocate for giving older people a say in what happens in their district and telling us what they think needs to be done!”

Sadiq Khan MP said: “The Beacons are about showcasing the very best in service delivery. Bradford Council is among the top performers in its field, setting the standard for innovation, service excellence and improvement.”