Conservative group leader John Kingsbury was re-elected as leader of Woking Borough Council last week and made a major speech to the council in which he set out his priorities for delivering the Conservative manifesto.
Under "strong leader" arrangements that give the new leader increased powers to appoint key members of the council, Cllr Kingsbury announced that David Bittleston would be deputy leader and that six further councillors would take their places on the newly-enlarged executive committee of eight. He called for political parties to put aside their differences of the elections and work together for the good of all residents.
The new leader took the opportunity to set out how he would deliver on the Conservative priorities of low Council Tax, the local economy, recycling, facilities for young people, community buildings and community safety, which he said had struck a chord with voters across the borough from all walks of life. He announced that just as this year Council Tax had been kept as low as possible without any cuts to frontline services, he believed the same could be done for 2012/13.
Cllr Kingsbury said: "The Conservative administrations over the past four years have done well in maintaining services, improving value for money and investing in the future needs of the Borough. But I believe we can do even more. My priority, as Strong Leader, is to ensure that the Council delivers upon the manifesto promises that secured this new Conservative administration."
To see the full text of John Kingsbury's speech, please click here.