Aims & Objectives 

To reduce bureaucracy and concentrate on good financial management, keeping council tax under control (ongoing).

To date: 

Year / Authority	Stafford Borough Council (Conservative Administration)	Staffordshire County Council (Labour Administration)
2007/2008	2.9%	5% increase (to be confirmed)
2006/2007	2.4%	4.9% increase
2005/2006	3%	4.5% increase
2004/2005	2.7%	7.1% increase

In comparison the last Labour Borough Council was raising the Borough section of the council tax by about double this amount.  On the 31st January 2003 The Staffordshire Newsletter reported that.... 

" The county council's share will rise by 6.5 per cent in 2002/03 - hard on the heals of the borough council revealing that its proportion of a household's council tax bill will increase by 7.93 per cent."

The Labour controlled Stoke City Council also increased its council tax by 4.9% in 2006/7.  They also had to bring in a raft of cuts to plug a £20 million black whole in finances.  Extra charges brought in include:- £20 a year charge for disabled blue badge holders.  Council Workers to pay to use their staff car park.  Cuts to council workers sick pay.  This was the third year that Stoke City Council had increased their council tax by the largest amount allowed by the government.  In 2003 the increase was 10.7%. (Information taken from The Sentinel 07/03/2006)

To encourage new businesses to locate in the area and provide employment, whilst encouraging and supporting local businesses already established (ongoing).

	To ensure that Eccleshall Ward is at the forefront maximising the benefits from Borough wide projects (ongoing).
	To gain publicity for all projects within the Eccleshall Ward area and achievements of its residents (ongoing).

2005-2007

	Improve the footpath network around the Eccleshall area, particularly the Usulwall / Washpits footpath (see the achievements to date page).
	Provide Croxton with a play area (£5,000 Match funding obtained 2005) see achievements to date page
	Provide a conservation area in the Standon Parish Council Area. (£7,000 funding obtained - see the achievements to date page)

The type of area looking to build towards within the Parish

	To establish a strong Young Conservatives / Conservative Future Branch for the Eccleshall and Stone Areas. (see the Achievements to Date page). Eccleshall Conservative Future
	Initiate Cotes Heath A519 programme in partnership with the Residents and Tenants Committee. (see Around the Ward page)
	Create a ward wide land acquisition fund to obtain sites of amenity value for the residents of the area.
	Extend the facilities available to the youth of the community. (See the achievements to date page)
	Bring forward plans to establish a new leisure site for Eccleshall, including facilities for bowls.
	Establish the funding streams for a new bus service for the outlying areas of the ward.  Targeting local groups transport needs.

To refurbish the playing facilities and related ground at Cotes Heath and Standon. February 2005 (see Achievements to date section)

	To work closely with the residents and Parish Council of the Chebsey area to provide an improved public space next to the train station. January 2005 (see Achievements to date section)
	Set up a local grant scheme for the benefit of the Eccleshall Ward area Target Date:02/07/2004.  (see Achievements to date section)
	To introduce a 50mph at Slindon on the A519 (see Achievements to date section).

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