Manifesto

Download the pdf version of the Manifesto for Aberdeenshire Council (71kb)

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT AND CONSERVATIVE

MANIFESTO FOR ABERDEENSHIRE COUNCIL 2007 – 2011

FOREWORD

The Aberdeenshire Liberal Democrat and conservative Groups are please to present their Manifesto for the next four years of Aberdeenshire Council.  It is a programme that will build on our achievements over the past eleven years, develop our commitment to the communities we serve and deliver the Vision.

The Liberal Democrat have had a leading role in running Aberdeenshire Council since 1996 and we have faced many difficult challenges.  We have not shirked from taking difficult decision when hard choices are necessary.  This joint Manifesto acknowledges that Local Government in Scotland will face further challenges during the next four years.

The Scottish Executive has initiated wide ranging discussions about the future of local government, in the context of public sector reform. Liberal Democrats and Conservatives believe in the ability of local councils to deliver responsive services and would wish to ensure that any reform of public services maintains and enhances local government’s competence and reputation.

We believe that any reform of local government should be seen in the wider context of public sector reform, reform that should include quangos.  However, we believe that locally elected politicians are best placed to decide what is required for their local area.  Local councils have a legitimate leadership role in a democratic society.

Aberdeenshire Council is widely recognised as an efficient and well-run council.  Liberal Democrat and Conservative Councillors in Aberdeenshire will continue to work to develop more efficient practices in the delivery of services.  We will continue to engage the community in a meaningful way, to enhance customer focus in the design of services for our communities.

Local Councils are ever increasing external scrutiny, from Government and from the public.  We are looking forward to meeting the challenge of the Best Value Review and other inspections.  Our Leadership will develop strategically but we will ensure that there is n interference with the smooth flow of operational matters.

Devolution does not stop at Holyrood.  This manifesto demonstrates, we believe, our commitment to local services, delivered locally; to the principle of subsidiarity.

We commend it a strategic statement of our approach and our plans for the next four years.

Cllr Anne Robertson and Cllr Marcus Humphrey

On behalf of Aberdeenshire Liberal Democrats and Conservatives

THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS’ AND CONSERVATIVES’ APPROACH TO ABERDEENSHIRE COUNCIL IN A CHANGING WORLD

Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives recognise that there are many challenges facing local government but believe firmly that local councils are legitimate channels for the delivery of responsive services.  They are the one democratically elected voice.  We are committed to working in partnership in the widest and most inclusive sense and are committed to the principle of subsidiarity.

• We believe that Aberdeenshire Council should work in partnership with the people of Aberdeenshire, based on an open and meaningful dialogue that maximises their input into decision-making on issues that affect their lives and their communities
• We will continue to increase public awareness of the vital roles of the council by the use of briefings, resident’s surveys and other communications media, by strengthening the 6 Area Committees and through closer interaction with Community councils.
• We also believe that Aberdeenshire Council should continue to be a partnership based mutual respect between councillors and council staff.  We will strive to promote the highest levels of public service, as enshrined in the Councillors’ code of conduct.
• We will continue the development of Community Planning and joint working with the public, private and voluntary sectors.
• We will maintain pressure on the Scottish Executive to review the distribution of funding to Local Authorities and press for a fairer method of local taxation.
• We will renew our commitment to the local delivery of local services, resisting any attempts that may be made to centralise major services such as Education by transfer to the Scottish Executive.
• Aberdeenshire Liberal Democrats and Conservative Councillors will continue to work and cooperate with our neighbours, Aberdeen City, Angus and The Moray councils, in securing fair access to funding and to deliver cross-border strategies and transportation links.
• We will commit to strengthening links with local MSP’s, MP’s and MEP’s and with Aberdeenshire Community Councils, by the use of regular meetings to keep them aware of issues affecting local authorities.
• We will maintain the good stewardship of public funds by ensuring that the Council’s governance structures give Councillors opportunities for independent scrutiny and challenge.  We will continue t develop the process of Best Value reviews.
• We will deliver enhanced performance management by modernising the Committee structure and seek continuous improvement through mechanisms such as Kaizen.

IMPROVING SERVICES

The Liberal Democrats and Conservatives will continue to improve and modernise Aberdeenshire Council services.  We will continue to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of service design and delivery.  We remain committed to the local delivery of local services. 
We also recognise that sustainability in service delivery is key: not only environmental sustainability but also financial and social.  Quality services have to cover all age groups and personal circumstances and the changing demographics within Aberdeenshire are a challenge.

• We will continue to seek to engage the entire community, fostering a greater understanding of the breadth of the responsibility that lies with local Councils.
• We will ensure that there is early and meaningful consultation with community groups to help inform policy development, ensuring equally that there is clear and effective feed-back.
• We will develop greater flexibility in service design and delivery, to address local needs, through involvement of Area Committees at an early stage.
• We will seek to promote a greater understanding of the improvement agenda among council staff.
• We will seek, when appropriate, to share with other local authorities and public sector partners, without impacting on political priorities.
• We recognise that the Asset Management Plan for public buildings is fundamental to consideration o new opportunities for service delivery across Aberdeenshire.
• We will maintain momentum on plans to improve our schools and leisure facilities by pressing for the funds to deliver a portfolio fit for the 21st century.
• We will continue to develop appropriate and affordable solutions to local circumstances for further roads maintenance and road safety.
• We will continue to develop the use of IT and new technologies both as a means of increasing efficiency and of helping to deliver high quality services.
• We will initiate early discussions on the delivery and implementation of National or European policy initiatives.
• We will continue to build on the established links with Europe and with North Sea countries in particular, ensuring that Aberdeenshire has a voice in European matters and in the shaping of EU policies.
• We will deliver the council’s European Strategy, with a commitment to continuing to draw down European funding.

ENPOWERING COMMUNITIES AND INDIVIDUALS

The Liberal Democrats and Conservatives recognise that Aberdeenshire Council has an important enabling role within our communities.  We will continue therefore to involve communities in the decision-making process, recognising the essential requirement for information to flow in both directions: from the Council to communities and individuals and from them to the Council
We recognise that consultation and engagement must be meaningful and form a core part of service delivery and the design of policies.  In addition we recognise the immense capacity that exists within our communities and will seek to develop further the Council’s role in encouraging this capacity to be brought to bear on community issues.

• We will enhance the Council’s voluntary sector policy.  We will continue to provide advice and information to community groups, for instance on sources of funding for local projects.
• We will support Community Learning and Development (CLD) and the important role this service plays in enabling public involvement in decision making and empowerment.
• Rural Partnerships play a significant role within our communities; we will continue to build the relationship between them and the Council.  We also recognise the role the Council has to play as a conduit between Partnerships, other agencies and the Scottish Executive.
• We will continue to work closely with our tenants in the delivery of Housing Services strategies.
• Aberdeenshire Liberal Democrats and Conservatives will continue to develop policies that will assist migrant families to integrate into our communities and to secure access to education and employment.
• We remain committed to equal opportunities for council staff; will continue to promote family-friendly policies and to value the commitment and professionalism of our staff.
• We will encourage all forms of staff training, recognising that investment in staff training is money well spent.  In particular we will seek to encourage and improve ‘career path’ opportunities for our staff.
• In all aspects, Aberdeenshire Council will seek to be a good employer.
  

ENHANCING COMMUNITY PLANNING

Aberdeenshire Council Liberal Democrats and Conservatives will develop and improve the community planning process in our six area, will participate fully in the Community Planning Partnership Board, ensuring all agencies work together to further the community planning process for the benefit of Aberdeenshire residents.
Community planning provides an excellent means of integrating disparate public agencies and adding value for our communities under the themes of Community Well-Being, Jobs and the Economy, Life Long Learning, Sustainable Environment and Quality Services.

• Liberal Democrats and Conservatives will work with partners, including the Community Health Partnership, to achieve sustainable communities by improving health and social care and reducing health inequalities.
• We believe access to education, learning and leisure are integral to the well being of our residents throughout their lives.  We will strive to develop and improve opportunities and build stronger communities throughout Aberdeenshire by improving knowledge and skills, developing confidence, promoting inclusion and by empowering communities.
• We will continue to improve the quality of housing and increase the supply of affordable housing which is available for rent and purchase.  We will seek to maximise the opportunities for people to live and work in their local areas.
• WE will encourage a greater public involvement by the Police Force and work in partnership to promote community safety.  We will continue to tackle anti-social behaviour.
• Liberal Democrats and Conservatives believe it is vital for the North East that the well-educated and skilled workforce is trained and developed to address the skills shortage.
• We recognised the important role the council has in economic development, and we will continue to take a cross service approach to economic development, working with partners to deliver for Aberdeenshire.
• We will support rural businesses, in particular small and medium enterprises, to underpin the viability of the countryside and to deliver business growth.
• We will work to provide the infrastructure and support to create new businesses, particularly ‘green businesses’ and diversify the economy.
• We will assist farming, forestry and local industry to capitalise on the economic opportunities offered by addressing climate change.
• We are committed to decisions on investment, the prioritisation of resources, and service provision being made in partnership with local communities, groups and organisations.
• We will deliver the Council’s Economic Development Strategy.
• We will deliver the Council’s Local Transport Strategy.  We will seek to promote a more efficient and convenient transport system within our commuting corridors.
• We will ensure that the Development Plan and the Local Plan are fit for purpose by allocation sufficient land for housing, industrial and employment use.  We also recognise the need to differentiate between rural and urban planning requirements as well as addressing environmental issues through the implementation of these Plans.
• We are committed t consulting with communities with regard to developer contributions before large-scale development take place.

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

Aberdeenshire Council Liberal Democrats and Conservatives will work to deliver the ‘green switch’ to an economy and society living sustainable by promoting renewable energy, energy conservation, recycling and waste management, education and public transport.
We recognise the real challenges that face us all but also are fully aware of the opportunities that making these changes can bring to Aberdeenshire.

• We will work towards reducing carbon emissions with the aim of becoming a carbon-neutral organisation in the shortest possible timescale, for example by 2020.
• We will work in partnership with other organisations and businesses to achieve the longer term aim of Aberdeenshire becoming a carbon-neutral region.
• We will aim to introduce the ‘cost of carbon’ into all aspects of policy formulation and financial appraisal, and use the global footprint software to forecast the effects of policy options to inform choice.
• We will step up efforts to reduce energy use by the Council through energy efficiency measures in our buildings, incentivising culture change within the council.
• We will provide information to the public and promote through all Council services awareness of environmental responsibilities.  We will encourage behaviour change by individuals, communities, businesses and public sector partners.
• We will introduce further measures to improve waste management in line with the waste hierarchy of ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’.  I line with the EU Landfill directive, we will adopt additional measures to cut the amount of biodegradable waste going to landfill.
• Through the planning processes, we will ensure that new buildings meet higher environmental standards and better energy efficiency.  We will promote small-scale energy conservation and renewable energy schemes, and continue to tackle the challenge of retro-fitting theses scheme into existing buildings.
• We will further expand the Council’s ‘green’ procurement and purchasing policies.