Cllr David Burbage MBE is Leader of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. He blogs here.
We’re almost in top gear for our all-out local elections here in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.
Our track record of six consecutive council tax reductions, keeping a weekly bin collection (recycling, residual, food waste all weekly) and spending more money on roads is going down very well on the doorstep.
As we’re combined with the Parliamentary elections, coordinating activities between the local and national campaign is a challenge, but all being on the same blue side makes it much easier. The Conservative Home Secretary Theresa May runs for us in Maidenhead, and Adam Afriyie in Windsor.
Our opposition is fragmented but not invisible. Labour are looking to supplant the Liberal Democrats as our main opponents, and UKIP are going to be running candidates across the Borough. There are also a number of independents who seek to gain the “local” or “protest” vote rather than the nationally established parties.
The local manifesto is in final draft stage, and awaiting a national manifesto launch; we don’t want to say opposite messages on any topic…
But apart from those three themes of tax reductions, excellent basic services and infrastructure investment, our strong messages will be building on well established policies such as increasing volunteering, regeneration and investment into our town centres, protecting valued countryside and improved services such as Sunday library opening.
Our work in modernising the council will continue, promoting a 24/7 customer service which is there for residents when they need it, smarter procurement and using our assets to best advantage – and in the public interest.
All in all, a very busy time for a campaigning politician and council leader.