Conservatives took control of Crawley Borough Council in May 2006, for the first time since its creation in 1974. After our first five and a half years, we can look back on an impressive track record of achievement.
- Increased number of litter pickers
- Doubled frequency of street cleansing
- The lowest Council Tax increases in all of Sussex for five years in a row
- More than £7 million per year efficiency savings
- Supporting the delivery of a much-needed new library
- Fast Way carrying 4 million passengers each year
- Adoption of a Heritage Policy to protect what really matters to Crawley people
- Successful lottery bid to restore Worth Park Gardens - a nationally important landmark
- Expanding the Community Wardens Service by one third and increasing the number of patrols
- Applying the maximum permissible litter fines
- Proposing a major general hospital west of Crawley
- Introducing the annual State of the Borough Debate
- Introducing the Business Debate
- A new vibrant Council logo reflecting an ambition for growth and the diversity of our community
- A Council presence on Facebook and Twitter
- Accelerated the neighbourhood centre improvement programme by two years, even during the recession
- Delivery of the Bewbush and Langley Green neighbourhood centre regeneration projects
- Improved jet washing of the town centre and neighbourhood parades
- Commitment to desilt and restore the important Ifield Millpond
- Faster Council decision making through a revised scheme of delegation; streamlined Full Council and Cabinet meetings; fewer Council committees and working groups
- Crawley wins South East in Bloom, Britain in Bloom and Champion of Champions
- Scores on the Doors for food retail businesses to provide guidance on health cleanliness and health standards
- Crawley Live, the Council's Borough-wide magazine, redesigned to an award-winning format
- Completed the Decent Homes Programme for Crawley tenants
- Reduction in the number of Council departments from 15 to 10
- Delivery of balanced Council budgets without a direct draw on reserves
- Introduction of a green waste collection service and glass recycling in red-top bins
- Increased resources for tree maintenance
- Faster processing and increased funding for DFGs (Disabled Facility Grants)
- Major reductions in electricity and gas usage
- Major reductions in business car mileage
- Exploring options for a university presence
- Large investment in anticipative flood prevention, e.g. Tilgate Dam
- Launch of the Venture Service for young people
- Major reduction in traveller incursions
- Launch of the Crawley Faith, Belief and Culture Guide
- Adoptin of a Green Space Strategy
- Increased delivery of and funding for residential environmental improvement schemes
- Opening of the popular Crawley Skate Park
- Dramatically reduced staff absence and sickness
- Delivery of the Maidnbower Pavilion project
- Delivery of the BMX track in Langley Green
- Building of links with the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment - Crawley's local regiment
- Major improvements to housing responsive repairs
- Introduction of the Crawley Youth Mayor
- Introduction of CPE (Civil Parking Enforcement) and CPZs (Controlled Parking Zones)
- Made possible the Kilnwood Vale (west of Bewbush) housing development, providing up to 375 affordable homes for Crawley people
- Achieved planning consent for the North East Sector, delivering up to 760 affordable homes for Crawley peoplee
- Introduction of free on-line advertising for neighbourhood centre retailers
- Enabled the first phase of Town Centre North on the former Sussex House site, to start in spring 2012