Local elections
Tories pledge further council tax freeze

Council leader Simon Geraghty is standing for re-election in St Clement. (s)

FREEZING council tax in 2013 is one of seven pledges being made by the Conservatives in their bid to retain control of Worcester City Council.

The party is fielding candidates in each of the 12 seats being contested across the city on May 3 as they try to increase their one seat overall majority at the Guildhall.

A further freeze in the council tax next year is among their list of pledges which also includes a promise to reduce car parking charges at some city centre car parks and investment to boost the economy and create jobs.

The party is also pledging to complete the work along the riverside from the Sabrina Bridge upwards and finalise the improvements to the High Street.

A new swimming pool for the city is also a priority as is an increase in the amount of litter and dog bins, while £1million will be invested to support first-time buyers across Worcester.

Cabinet member Francis Lankester will fight his Cathedral ward seat against Lawson Cartwright of UKIP, Lynn Denham from Labour and the Green Party's Louis Stephen.

Council leader Simon Geraghty is also aiming for re-election in St Clement and said: "We are standing on our record having run the city council since 2000 both as a majority administration and as a minority group and we think the council is in pretty good shape.

"Freezing council tax both this year and our pledge to do so next year has proved very popular with voters on the doorstep who can see times are tough but recognise the council is doing all it can to help people through."

"We are on a good footing, our work in sorting out the council finances means we can move forward with the seven pledges we have outlined.

"We have a positive vision for the future of Worcester as a city and a proven record of delivery."

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