By Ian Bates, Leader, Conservative Party group, Huntingdonshire District Council We are proud to stand on our record as a Conservative district council. As always our aim is to provide good quality services at the lowest possible cost. This is what we ha

By Ian Bates, Leader, Conservative Party group, Huntingdonshire District Council

We are proud to stand on our record as a Conservative district council. As always our aim is to provide good quality services at the lowest possible cost.

This is what we have achieved;

A low Council Tax of £104 (Band D), a rise of less than £5 in the current year. The average for English shire districts is £142.

An excellent record on recycling. Most households now have three wheelie bins which has helped us to recycle 51 per cent of our household waste - one of the highest in the country

We are also taking a positive attitude in tackling environmental issues.

* There is a crackdown on fly tipping.

* Streets are being kept free of abandoned vehicles.

* The new operations centre will ensure dramatic environmental improvements around Huntingdon and Godmanchester.

* Cycleways are being expanded.

* Encouraging wildlife to thrive in Hinchingbrooke Park and Paxton Pits.

With our partners we are working for a safer Huntingdonshire, successfully fighting crime and reducing anti-social behaviour. Closed circuit television is receiving more investment and there have been improvements to lighting.

We also strongly support measures to improve road safety in our market towns and villages. The 'safer routes to school' initiative is working well.

We recognise the importance of providing affordable homes. That is why we welcome and encourage the development of affordable homes within new housing schemes. Hinchingbrooke Park is a good example.

We support 'shared ownership' to help people who cannot afford to buy a home outright.

Huntingdonshire District Council is committed to approximately £10million for affordable homes over the next two years, including a £7.2million grant from the Housing Corporation. That will produce a lot of affordable housing.

The Government is set to abolish Huntingdonshire Primary Care Trust, we are about to witness the demise of Cambridgeshire's police force, and it is not just about the PCT and police, it's about post offices, rural communities, and services.

Only the Conservatives will fight to save our local services.

I am confident our past record and our plans for the future will find support among Huntingdonshire's residents.