Derby Conservatives Local News

Conservatives force lower Council Tax Increase

2009-03-03T10:47:00.003Z

A council tax rise of 3.25% for Derby residents was decided at last nights full council meeting after the Conservatives forced the Lib Dem administration to scrap their plans for a much larger increase.

The Conservatives proposal put forward to achieve a 2.5% increase was voted down by both Labour and the Lib Dems meaning a compromise was needed to agree a budget for the City.

Conservative leader Philip Hickson said, "It is clear that the political situation in the council is such that no one group can deliver its budget and compromises and accommodations have to be made."

" We look forward to offering the people of Derby no council tax increase at all should we take control of this council in next years local elections and there is a new Conservative Government. All the people of Derby get from Labour and the Lib Dems are large increases in Council Tax year-on-year. " he continued.

The Conservatives also forced the Lib Dem Administration to adopt several key proposals in their budget, including;

£170,000 given to local Neighbourhood Boards to spend on Footway and Pavement improvements and repairs / highways projects.

A reduction in the council's overall salary costs by 1%. Assurances having been made by the council that this proposal could be met without compulsory redundancies.

Retention of Derby Community Transport services that were going to be cut by the Lib Dem Council. This is a service that many elderly and disabled residents in the City rely upon.

Retention of the Council House Cash Office that was being closed by the Lib Dem Council.

Anger at Bombardier 'snub'

2009-02-13T13:14:00.003Z

There is growing anger over the government's decision to snub Derby trainmaker, Bombardier by awarding the £7.5bn contract to build a fleet of inter-city 'super express' trains to Japanese firm Hitachi.

The government has claimed the contract would "create and safeguard" 12,500 UK jobs but the Conservatives have said that the transport secretary has not provided details to back up the jobs claim.

The consortium gaining the contract is known as Agility Trains and, as well as Hitcahi, includes John Laing and Barclays Bank. Soon after the contract award was announced it emerged that much of the new trains’ construction will take place in Japan, with only final assembly being carried out in Britain, creating about 500 new jobs. Sites in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, (Leicestershire), Sheffield and Gateshead are being considered according to Agility Trains.

Conservative Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers MP said the announcement was 'typical spin' from Gordon Browns government, " We need to clarify what on earth is going on and how much work will be done in this country.

Only around 500, at most of the 12,500 jobs, announced today will be created in the UK by the train builder Hitachi and Labour have produced no convincing evidence to back up the rest of their claims on jobs.

Geoff Hoon needs to stop the spin and tell the UK's hard pressed train manufacturing industry the real truth about his decision on replacing intercity trains."

Derby Conservatives are dismayed at the decision. Cllr Philip Hickson, leader of the Derby City Conservative Group said, "Gordon Browns Labour Government have let Derby down. By snubbing Bombardier, they have turned their backs on thousands of Derby workers.

This announcement raises further questions about Gordon Brown's claims about British jobs for British workers."

Meeting fails to get apology from Council Leader.

2009-01-24T11:34:00.021Z

The Leader of Derby City Council, Lib Dem Hilary Jones has refused to apologise after comments made by her were released on the internet video website, YouTube.

The embarrassing YouTube video shows Cllr Jones during heated debates, shouting loudly and being rebuked by the Mayor of Derby.

She also is seen and heard to refer to those who choose to watch council meetings via the internet as 'those unfortunate enough to have nothing better to do but watch this on the internet...'

At the recent full council meeting, Derby Conservative deputy leader, Cllr Harvey Jennings presented a formal question to Cllr Jones asking for her to apologise for her comments.

He said, "I was very surprised that she refused to apologise and that she said that she didn't think the YouTube video painted her in a bad light. She had an opportunity to set the record straight, to repair some of the damage to her credibility and move on, but totally refused. I think that says all we need to know about what kind of leader she is."

It was also revealed by Cllr Jones that, via its officers, attempts were made to block the video from being broadcast on both local and national news. These attempts were unsuccessful.

It is not known how much Council officer time, or what cost to the Derby tax payer has been incurred by the attempts to suppress the video's broadcast.

Watch the video below:-

Also at the meeting, Derby Conservative Councillors pressed the Council over the current poor state of our roads and pavements as well as expressing real concern over the current eight month repair back log and the viability of the whole maintenance contract - which they believe is in 'crisis'.

It was also revealed, following a question by Chaddesden Conservative councillor, Alan Grimadell that Derby City Council has spent £1.8m on publicity and advertising during the current financial year.

Your Conservative ward councillors also raised many othe issues on behalf of local residents and they also voted unamimously to reject a motion that would have seen an increase to all councillor's allowances along with a £10,000 pay rise for Lib Dem and City Council leader, Cllr Hilary Jones.

The move would have seen her total allowances rise to around £50,000 per year.

Derby Conservatives Oppose Council Tax Rise

2009-01-15T11:52:00.006Z

The Conservatives have reacted with anger over the Lib Dems proposals to increase Council by almost 5% for Derby residents.

Speaking to the Derby Evening Telegraph, Council leader Hilary Jones stated the rise of was needed to help the council face a difficult financial year ahead.

Derby Conservative group leader Philip Hickson has reacted by stating, " We cannot and will not support such a high council tax rise. If the Conservatives were in control of the council, we would be delivering a budget with half of that amount of increase.

In the current financial climate, we should be mindful of the financial pressures that are falling on the ordinary man and woman."

"Other areas have had to take steps to reduce posts and I think we have go to go for the soft areas like press and publicity and marketing where we spend substantial amounts of money." he continued.

The budget will be presented to the full council meeting in March.

New Year Message - David Cameron MP

2008-12-30T22:30:00.002Z

In my New Year message three years ago, I said that I wanted the modern Conservative Party to be a voice for change, optimism and hope. What was true in the good times is even truer now that times are tough, and getting tougher. People are looking to us for hope in these dark days, and we must be ready to offer it: hard-edged hope, built on a clear-sighted analysis of what has gone wrong and how we can put it right.

That provides this Party with three important tasks for 2009. First, we must show that we have learned the lessons of Labour’s Debt Crisis and will never let it happen again. Second, we must offer constructive and positive ideas to help keep people in work and in their homes, and make sure the recession is as short, shallow and painless as possible. But third and perhaps most important of all, we must set out our positive vision of change: to describe the new economy and the new society that we want to build once the recession is over and the recovery underway.

Labour have failed in these tasks, and that’s why the country needs change. Far from learning the lessons of their Debt Crisis, Labour are making it worse by choosing to borrow even more. Instead of constructive and positive ideas to help save jobs – like the National Loan Guarantee Scheme that we have proposed – Labour are wasting billions of pounds on useless schemes like their temporary VAT cut. And above all, instead of moving forward to a new economic vision, they are taking Britain straight back to the arrogant, big government-knows-best ideas that bankrupted our country the last time Labour were in power, in the 1970s.

This means that the choice facing the country will be clearer in 2009 than it has been for a while: a choice between the past and the future.

Labour say that their Debt Crisis calls for even more borrowing, even bigger government, and a return to 1970s-style subsidy and state control – with every utterance from Gordon Brown now confirming that ‘New Labour’ is dead.

By contrast, the modern Conservative vision is of responsible government and responsible business helping to build a responsible 21st century nation - where social reform and decentralisation strengthen our society, where a stronger society reduces demands on the taxpayer, and where lower taxes, a less interfering, bureaucratic state and green growth combine to produce a sustainable economy.

So far from dropping our green agenda because of the recession, we will this year step up the pace because leadership on the environment will help create the jobs, wealth and opportunity Britain needs. Far from dropping our commitment to make British poverty history, we will this year intensify it because we must not allow this recession to create social problems and costs for the future. And far from dropping our commitment to help the poorest people on the planet because times are tough at home, we will re-affirm in 2009 both the moral and the practical case for fighting global poverty.

For us, the strong economy of the future will be built on a strong and responsible society. The Emperor Hadrian, when asked how Rome would be rebuilt after a devastating fire, replied: “Brick by brick, my citizens; brick by brick.”

That is how we will rebuild our broken economy and our broken society – business by business, family by family, community by community. Not through imposing some kind of state blueprint from above, like Gordon Brown wants to do, but by allowing the talent and effort and incredible character of British people to shine. That is the greatest source of hope we have. That is why I’m optimistic about our country’s future. And that is why we need change now.

People can see that Labour have been in power too long. They have been corrupted by power, and their arrogance means they cannot now even see their mistakes, let alone correct them. It’s no surprise that the person who helped break our economy and our society won’t admit they’re broken. It’s no surprise that a Prime Minister whose decisions over a decade helped cause the Debt Crisis; who failed to prepare the country for the gathering storm, and whose irresponsible extra borrowing will now deepen and lengthen the recession turns round and tells us the recession will be a test of everyone else’s character. The Prime Minister tells us to find our blitz spirit when he is the one dropping the bombs – the tax and debt bombshells that are taking Britain to the brink of bankruptcy.

This government has lost its moral compass. Where is the morality in asking our children to pay off our debts? Where is the morality in encouraging people who have already borrowed too much to borrow a little more? Where is the morality in trying to reflate the bubble and return the country to the age of irresponsibility that led us to this mess?

It has to end – and the sooner the better. The longer Labour are in, the worse it gets. So let’s make sure we’re ready for an election at any time, and let’s do all we can to make sure that 2009 is the year when change comes to Britain too.

Lib Dem Council Leader Embrassed by Online Video

2008-11-25T22:07:00.009Z

The Leader of Derby City Council, Lib Dem Hilary Jones has spent today having to jusify her performance and comments she recently made in council meetings. Footage of meetings has been recently posted to the video sharing website, YouTube.

The clips made by a YouTube user called 'limpdimsinderby' show Cllr Jones during heated debates, shouting loudly and being rebuked by the Mayor of Derby. She also is seen and heard to state that 'For those unfortunate enough to have nothing to do but watch this on the internet...' and 'I don't need to justify myself to anybody'.

Those comments have been widely condemmed and Derby Conservative leader Philip Hickson said, "I think the attitude of the leader of the council brings the whole system of local government into disrepute. Saying things like 'I don't have to justify myself to anyone' is disgraceful. If she thinks that, she is deluded. All of us are accountable no matter what office we hold."

Watch the video below:-

Conservatives halt Lib Dem toilet closures.

2008-11-20T15:40:00.009Z

Local Conservatives forced a reversal on the City Toilet closures last night.

The budget strategy for 2009/10 had been drawn up by the Lib Dem administration, which included City-wide public toilet closures and presented to full council for approval but the Conservatives spoke out against it.

Derby Conservative leader, Cllr Philip Hickson moved an amendment which said the strategy must include provision for public toilets.

Cllr Hickson's amendment was opposed by the Lib Dems, but in the debate that followed Conservatives gained the support they needed to see it approved.

He said: "The decision on the closures has been reversed and a commitment to public toilets has been restored into the budget strategy. The Lib Dems have steadfastly refused to listen to the public on the issue however I made it very clear that local Conservatives would fight against the closures of our public toilets across the City. Last night we did just that and were successful."

Public toilets at Markeaton Park island, High Street in Chellaston, Boulton Lane in Alvaston, Nottingham Road cemetery along with the library and cemetery in Spondon were in the process of being closed already.

City Centre toilets at The Spot and Victoria Street were scheduled to close in the new year and facilities at the Assembly Rooms and Eagle Market were due to be closed once the new bus station opened sometime in 2009.

Conservatives gain new City Councillor.

2008-11-18T11:44:00.007Z

Derby Conservatives are delighted to be welcoming City Councillor, Philip Ingall to their council group.

Cllr Ingall's move gives the Conservatives all three seats in Chellaston & Shelton Lock ward. He joins Cllr's Harvey Jennings and Matthew Holmes.

Derby Conservative leader, Cllr Philip Hickson said, " I'm delighted to be welcoming Cllr Ingall to the Derby Conservative Group. He will be joining a very strong team in Chellaston ward. "

Deputy leader and Chellaston Ward councillor, Harvey Jennings added, " I know that Philip will be an asset to the local team and all three Conservative councillors will be continuing to work very hard to represent local people on the issues that matter to them. "

The move gives the Conservatives 15 City council seats.

Cllr Ingall will be joining his new colleagues at full council (Weds 19th of November, from 6pm) which can be viewed live via the Derby City Council website. Click this link to watch.

You can also watch a recording via the council webcast archive by visiting the same page.

Conservatives rule out any pact with other parties.

2008-05-07T15:41:00.004+01:00

The Conservative group have ruled out any power sharing agreement with the other political parties.

This follows previous arrangements in 2006 and 2007 that saw the Conservatives agree to manage the City with the Labour group while no party had a majority within the council.

Following the May 1st local elections, the City remains under 'No Overall Control'.

Conservative group leader Philip Hickson said, "We do not consider that having a pact with either party is what the electorate wanted and is not in the best interests of the Conservative party.

I want to make sure now that there is very clear blue water between the Conservative party and the other two parties, so when people vote again, they can be very clear about what they are voting for."

The decision was made unanimously by all Derby Conservative councillors and follows the local election results that saw the Conservatives gain the largest overall vote share.