The Tories have unveiled an ambitious vision for Brighton and Hove in a policy document called Towards A Shining City By The Sea.

But Brighton and Hove City Council opposition leader Brian Oxley and his team of Tory councillors are making no glib promises about how they will get there if the city council changes control.

They want to have less interference by the council in people's lives, giving them to the chance to make their own decisions.

Tories want to reduce the rate of council tax rises and stop the authority acting, as Coun Oxley puts it, like an army of occupation.

The Tory leader said: "You will not find lavish promises in this document, destined to turn into bitter disappointment after polling day next year."

Some of the main points are:

FINANCE Tories will do all they can to limit further rises in council tax by negotiating hard with the Government and ending what they call an obsession with political frills.

Coun Oxley said: "We view people's earnings as theirs to spend as they will and not a treasure trove to be raided at will by politicians.

"We would also rather see more realistic capital spending plans that can be delivered on time, rather than grandiose blueprints which are not worth the paper they are written on."

The document says: "We shall relentlessly pursue those who do not pay their council house rent on time. The almost £2 million in arrears is a scandal and will be addressed vigorously."

Modest rises in spending are proposed on more trees, flower beds and reinstating Hove tourist information centre.

EDUCATION Headteachers will be given greater freedom to run their schools in their own way. Popular schools will be expanded to meet parents' preferences. Heads will be supported in removing violent and disruptive pupils from their schools but ensure that excluded pupils receive the full-time help they need.

SOCIAL CARE AND HEALTH Tories will try to stop the misery caused by bed-blocking by enhancing residential care, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and a whole range of services adapting under-used sheltered housing.

They will support privately-run care homes, viewing them as a genuine asset in providing care for vulnerable people. The document says they will look at providing more resource centres in local communities to offer a wider and more convenient range of services.

THE ENVIRONMENT Tories say: "We know residents and visitors are tired of the scruffy look Brighton and Hove has and we will act, from day one, to arrest the physical decline of the city. We will assist householders and businesses in fighting graffiti and flyposting. We will help victims of graffiti with limited, small grants to help them clean up their premises."

Property owners will be pressed to ensure their assets are kept clear to give streets a better appearance.

TRANSPORT Tories say: "Labour's war on the car in Brighton and Hove will be stopped. We believe some simple yet effective changes can be made to road layouts which will improve the ability to move around the city."

Proposals include amending the junction layout at York Place and improving the exit from London Road car park. They believe urgent changes are required to the traffic controls at Brighton station.

Tories say the council should invest in Pool Valley coach station, saying: "Despite the best efforts of the current management, the first and last view of the city for many travellers is a bleak spot with little shelter from the wind and rain and limited toilet facilities."

Tories will look for extra park-and-ride sites, perhaps including Shoreham harbour and the marina end of the beach. The party says council officials should look at providing more underground car parks, perhaps at Brunswick Square and Hove Lawns.

More bus routes could be provided in partnership with Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company and electronic bus information should be extended across the city.

Several restrictions on taxis should be lifted so they can use more bus lanes as an integral part of the public transport system.

Tories will look at reducing car parking charges, speeding up reviews of parking schemes and tackle obstructive parking.

They will work with policies to remove abandoned vehicles quickly and move on traveller vans which are dotted around the streets.

HOUSING The party does not back council stock being transferred to a housing association or being retained by the authority but says a mixed provision will help tenants best.

Tenants will be balloted on any option put forward by the council. Tougher action will be taken against neighbours so that law-

abiding tenants can live in peace. Support will be given to the private sector to help solve housing problems in the city. Priority will be given to housing local people while those from outside the area will be given help to find homes in areas with more room.

LAW AND ORDER The party will take a tough stance on crime, encouraging police to tackle minor as well as major offences. They will press for a beat officer in each area and a ban on illegal public drinking where required. They want a tough stance to be taken against travellers occupying parks and open spaces.

PLANNING Conservatives will abandon Labour's proposed policy of 40 per cent of any private development of ten homes or more being low-cost housing. Instead they will say there should be an element of low-cost housing in any scheme of 25 homes or more. They will be flexible about letting flatlet houses be converted into family homes.

CULTURE The Royal Pavilion will be marketed more vigorously. Tories want a new ice rink in Brighton and Hove. They will explore the idea of a flower festival to coincide with the Brighton Festival, extending Volk's railway to the marina and restoring the seafront bandstand.

They will overhaul the city's grants system so money goes to all the many deserving local community projects in Brighton and Hove.

Coun Oxley said: "We want a council that gets the job done while letting people get on with their lives."