Local Elections: Thursday 5th May

Amblecote
Pat Martin

Cradley & Wollescote
Louis Redding

Lye & Stourbridge North
Sharon Tinsley

Norton & Swinford
Heather Rogers

Pedmore & Stourbridge East
Ian Kettle

Quarry Bank & Dudley Wood
Mike Wood

Wollaston & Stourbridge Town
Margaret Cowell

Conservatives have frozen Council Tax this year, even though Labour voted against a freeze, after a below-inflation rise last year. Our Council Tax is the lowest in the Black Country and one of the lowest in Britain.

If Council Tax had kept on rising at the rate it did under Labour, local families would be £350 a year worse off.

We are working with local Housing Associations to increase the amount of affordable housing locally.

Our town centres are a vital part of Stourbridge life, providing the jobs that we so desperately need locally and a focus for our communities.

In the last three years, Conservative-run Dudley Council has secured £150million in investment from businesses coming into the area, creating 1,000 new jobs.

Work on the new Tesco in the Crown Centre will begin in a few weeks time, bringing £200,000 a week extra trade to other businesses in Stourbridge.

We are proud of the quality of local services provided by social workers, school staff and other public workers.

Dudley’s public services have been awarded 4 out of 4 stars, making it one of the best Councils in the country.

Independent inspectors have highlighted the care given to the elderly and adults with special needs.

Every part of Stourbridge is covered by a Children’s Centre, offering important support for families with young children.

Often, little things can make a big difference to people’s quality of life, while anti-social behaviour and nuisance neighbours can make life a misery.

Schemes like “Play Pathfinder” and “Healthy Towns Hubs” have meant new equipment in many local parks. We will continue to support our parks and “Friends of the Park” groups.

The Council is working with the Police to crack down on crime and problem families.

After 17 years of neglect by Labour, Stourbridge’s roads and pavements were in a shocking state of disrepair.

This year, the Council will spend an extra £1.75million to mend 190 extra roads. Instead of just patching over the cracks, we will repair them with micro-asphalt. This costs more but lasts 5 years longer, making it cheaper in the long-term - “investing to save”.

The new Stourbridge interchange, replaces the old bus station. It will offer a better service for bus and train passengers travelling to and from the town.


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Local News

Margot James calls on the Government to ensure that any income that is generated by private patients is used to benefit NHS patients.

Margot James MP has voiced her support for the Prompt Payment Code.

Margot James MP for Stourbridge has supported the decision by all the clubs in the Premier League to sign up to the Government's Sports Charter to tackle discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in sport.

Margot James backs calls for more lending to small businesses but highlights the wide range of contributing factors and welcomes moves by banks to improve their relationship with small business customers.

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National News

The co-Chairmen of the Conservative party have introduced new rates that are set to halve the cost of getting to conference in 2012.

The Health and Social Care Bill hands power to patients and puts doctors and nurses in charge, the Party co-Chairman has said.

The Conservative Party announces today that Michael Farmer has been appointed Conservative Party Co-Treasurer with effect from March 1 2012.

Prime Minister David Cameron pays tribute to the Queen on the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne.

Party co-Chairman Andrew Feldman announces plans for new party in Northern Ireland