Ahead of the upcoming county council elections on May 4, we asked each party to submit details of their manifesto pledges. 

This is the response we received from Robert Gordon, leader of the Conservative group.

Unlike many councils, we have coped with the financial squeeze over recent years. 

We have kept open all our libraries, children’s centres, fire stations and household waste sites; provided nationally commended social care services, and have helped more than 90 per cent of schools achieve “good” or “outstanding” inspection outcomes.

We managed this while spending less money each year, absorbing inflation and the cost of our growing and aging population by being more and more efficient.

Over the next four years we will live within our means, striking a fair balance between those who use our services and those who pay for them; work ever more closely with the NHS, providing joined-up health and social care; help older people live independently in their own homes by use of new technologies and high quality care services; guarantee a local place for every child by expanding schools and working with the promoters of new schools’; replace old street lights with modern LED lamps which are more reliable and use less electricity; intervene earlier when problems arise to reduce social harm and the cost to the public purse; take an active role in developing surplus council land to promote high standards of design and environmental impact.

Robert Gordon, leader of the Conservative group, added: “Only the Conservatives have the experience and determination to cut bureaucratic costs to protect spending on front line services while balancing the books and keeping the council tax under control.”

We will be bringing you live coverage of the count as it happens on the evening of Thursday, May 4.