Local taxes: Since council tax forms less than a quarter of councils' budgets, our war on waste and bureaucracy cutting council spending by just 10 per cent is enough to give the public a 40 per cent reduction in council tax.
Give local councils majority control over their finances by letting them keep local business rates and by replacing VAT with a simpler local sales tax, with a proportion going direct to local councils.
Local democracy: Let local people call a binding referendum on any major local issue, such as planning schemes.
Dismantle regional government and return powers to councils.
Crime: Elect police chiefs and make police forces locally accountable.
Transport: Improve local control and management of public transport – rail and bus.
Rule out satellite vehicle pricing and oppose privatisation of parking facilities.
Oppose new speed cameras which do not cut accidents, use traffic-calming measures instead.
Housing: Genuine independence for local planning – no more over-riding by remote bodies.
Restore proper controls on immigration to ease demand on housing.
Education: Give independence to head teachers.
Encourage competitive school sports, playing fields and school trips.
Health and social care: Save hospital services, manage hospitals locally and ensure decision-makers are responsible to local people.
Improve services for the elderly and remove unnecessary bureaucracy.
End the practice of forcing the elderly to sell their homes to pay for a spouse's residential home care.
Environment: Keep recycling local.
Use only central brownfield sites for future developments.
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