Councils are won and lost through hard work, a consistent Conservative policy message, good campaigning, and good candidates. We must be so careful to avoid losing the mantle of the party of home ownership.
Turnout is key. It is not necessary to convert Conservative abstainers to Conservatism. The challenge is to convert the Government to Conservatism. But the Prime Minister can not be blamed for trees being chopped down in Plymouth.
We should be winning back seats lost in 2019. But I have found big dissatisfaction with the national direction of Government on the doorstep.
Our investigation into occupancy rates at council buildings found that offices were only around 40 per cent full.
In Central Bedfordshire, Council Tax is being frozen. One reason is early intervention for elderly residents, delaying the point where they need to move into residential care.
If the deadweight of socialist profligacy and intervention could be lifted, then our town would have the chance to thrive.
Plus: Welsh council reserves increase during the pandemic. The complex Council Tax rebate is an utter shambles, with widespread delays.
Plus: Gwynedd Council should not take the day off for St David’s Day. In Warrington, the nightmare that is council energy companies returns.
From failing energy companies, to white elephant projects, many local authorities have continued to pour public money down the drain.
It may be the season of goodwill but many councils deserve a lump of coal after their misuse of public money.
Plus: Mismanagement continues in Slough. Bassetlaw Council spends £320,000 to improve the energy efficiency of a golf club it owns.
Plus: The move to monthly bin collections in Stirling is unjustified, given the high Council Tax that residents pay.
2018-19’s accounts are still unaudited. Who knew about the massive black hole in the council’s finances?
Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Wiltshire have cut off funding. Some Labour councils have also pulled out.
Plus: Local authorities have deficits of over half a billion pounds. Police and Crime Commissioners should not be forced to employ deputies.