On Thursday 5th May 2011 you will have the chance to decide the future of our Borough. It will be your chance to vote across Brentwood for your local councillors to serve you for the next four years. We have set out a bold and radical manifesto to build on the success across our Borough. Our manifesto is clear and offers the residents of Brentwood a choice, it is about:

"Your Brentwood Your Future"

"Your Finance Pledges"

• We will deliver a Council Tax freeze for 2011-2012 as we work with the Coalition Government. 
• We pledge that we will only increase Council Tax if it is absolutely necessary and will always look at other ways to raise money before doing so. Any rise introduced will only be to ensure we continue to deliver the best for Brentwood.
• We will extend the 5% cut on all Special Responsibility Allowances and introduce a further 10% cut for all Basic Councillor Allowances.
• We will commit to run the successful “Your Brentwood Your Budget” consultation every year whilst we are the administration.
• We pledge to deliver value for money by driving out waste and cutting costs in order to deliver more for less, to make every penny of taxpayers money go further.
• We will create “Local Neighbourhood Partnerships” across the Borough giving a greater voice to Parish Councils, Community Groups, Residents’ Associations to work together.

"Your Environment Pledges"

• We will introduce incentives to recycle more by working with residents and local businesses via the RecycleBank initiative, providing residents who recycle in Brentwood with reward vouchers to spend in local shops, supporting local economy and our local environment too.
• We will always be the strongest advocates of our Green Belt, it is what makes our town special and is crucial to retaining our identity.
• We will retain the Weekly Waste Collection and always campaign against plans introduced by Labour to introduce bin taxes.
• We will work to deliver a recycling rate for our Borough of 60% by 2015 and introduce a Council Climate Change Policy to cut our total emissions and improve our planet.
• We will establish “Brentwood Community Rangers” helping to protect our town centre, parks, open spaces, shopping centres and other key locations to keep our Borough cleaner, greener and safer.

"Your Community Pledges"

• We will establish a “Brentwood Big Society Board” where the Council, residents’ groups, local charities and voluntary groups can work together to enhance the delivery of services in the Borough.
• We will continue to improve the facilities and opportunities available in our wonderful Country Parks and Open Spaces across our Borough.
• We will explore all opportunities to secure external funding to support community initiatives and investment in our Borough play areas.
• We will introduce the “Brentwood Youth Scheme” for all 7 to 17 year olds to allow them to earn recognition for community or charitable work and win regular prizes to support their efforts.
• We will work with local Post Offices to explore opportunities for council services to be available to these offices, providing residents with local contact points and helping support vital local facilities.
• We will work to ensure money is directed towards our frontline services, by driving out waste and finding more efficient and cost effective ways of working with community partners through shared working arrangements.
• We will support local residents in the fight against planning incursions and will defend against illegal activity from all sectors of the community, ensuring everyone is treated equally.

“Your Society Pledges”

• We will continue to work with Crossrail and will campaign for the best possible outcome for our residents in both the short term and long term.
• We will campaign for additional improvements to Brentwood Station beyond those planned by National Express through the “Fix Our Station” campaign. We will lobby every level of government and business to fight for these improvements.
• We fully support the work of Parish Councils and Resident Associations and pledge to do all we can to enhance the delivery of services for the benefit of local residents.
• We will never forget the service of our Armed Forces as they fight in the name of Queen and Country. We will therefore honour all those who have fallen in the line of duty by annually marking Armed Forces Day.
• We are committed to the provision of good quality housing across the Borough’s portfolio and we will instigate a full and comprehensive review of our Sheltered Accommodation provisions.
• We will support and encourage the growth of “Community Champions” across all wards in the Borough, creating a pool of people as the eyes and ears of their own communities.
• We will invest in Big Society projects across Brentwood with a £55,000 commitment for 2011/2012.

“Your Business Pledges”

• We will conduct an annual Brentwood Business Audit with businesses across our Borough, listening and responding to their feedback. 
• We believe in strong relationships with the Federation of Small Businesses and Chamber of Commerce and will be close partners as we work together for our Borough.
• We will continue to develop a Town Centre Strategy to build on the work we have done to date to support local retailers and encourage more people to our town centre and shopping parades across the town.
• We will work with “The Big 9” employers of our town to promote the local economy for the benefit of all local businesses.
• We will continue to work with our business partners to deliver Business Summits and Retailers Forums to promote open dialogue between the Local Authority and commercial sector.
• We are committed to developing and improving the Brentwood Renaissance Group, to improve our Town Support, through working with the Borough’s main businesses, local retailers and residents. We will launch the “Brentwood First” campaign designed to provide focused attention and ensure delivery.
• We will carry out a full review of parking charges in the Town Centre and in relation to the Crossrail project, ensuring charges are fair, justifiable and have the input of both residents and retailers.

“Your Communication Pledges”

• We will introduce a monthly eBrentwoodNews for every resident who wants to be connected with regular news on activities across our town.
• We will transform the way we connect with you, making better use of the internet and local community groups. We will continue to be more open and increase transparency in the way we operate.
• We will always put residents at the heart of what we do, and will continue with regular Leader and Deputy Leader roadshows under the “My Brentwood My Home” banner.
• We will consult with residents over all key matters affecting our Borough and will always act in residents’ interest, we are prepared to make the necessary decisions to move Brentwood forward.
• We will introduce a programme of “Ward Walks” involving senior Councillors, (including Leader, Deputy Leader, Executive Chairman) and local ward Councillors to meet with residents across all wards to tackle local issues.

“Your Council Pledges”

• We remain committed to the streamlining of the Council’s Committees, and will also focus efforts on decision to keep costs down.
• We will oppose plans for a Directly Elected Mayor for Brentwood, as this would place a huge financial burden on Brentwood taxpayers. We passionately support retaining our Civic Mayor.
• We will continue to review and monitor all Council properties and vital assets to make sure they offer value for money for residents. Our assets must work for the best of Brentwood residents.
• We will publish the voting record of every Councillor for every item on resident sensitive Planning and Licensing Committees.
• We will continue to publish all Council spending over £500 in the continued pursuit of transparency and will look at further ways to expand our People’s Right To Know project.
• We will be seeking a full review by the Boundary Commission on the number of Councillors across the Borough, making the case for a reduction in the total number.