An end to council waste, removal of graffiti and a pledge to put council tenants first are among the commitments made by the Conservative Party in its local election manifesto.

The Tories, currently the third largest party on Brighton and Hove City Council with 11 councillors, have made a series of promises to residents set to vote this May.

Ahead of the election, here are some of the key points they have committed to if they gain control of the council.

Sort out rubbish and recycling collections’

The Conservatives slammed the record of Green and Labour over their record on recycling and said that the party would make fixing rubbish and recycling issues its “number one priority”.

‘Get our weeds and verges cut’

The Tories say that, while councillors banned the use of weedkiller in 2019, no proper alternative has been put in place.

The party said disabled people and parents with prams have been unable to use pavements blocked by weeds. The Conservatives have promised to cut the weeds and make the city tidy.

‘Stop the waste and end excessive charges’

The Conservatives claim that Green and Labour-led councils have wasted taxpayers’ money, but that residents are receiving less for their money.

The party has committed to stopping the waste and reduce the tax burden on people in the city.

‘Fix our council housing stock’

In their manifesto, the Tories say that the council’s housing department is in “disarray” and has cost tenants and leaseholders dearly.

The party claims that the insourced housing repairs services has “collapsed”, with a backlog of several thousand repairs.

The Conservatives have pledge to fix the situation and “put council tenants first” by using council powers to tackle drugs and antisocial behaviour.

‘Make our streets safe again’

The Conservatives claim the Greens and Labour have allowed the city to become a “haven for antisocial behaviour”.

The party has committed to reinstating lapsed Public Space Prevention Orders, apply for funding to install CCTV and lighting, and properly enforce council by-laws to improve safety in local communities.

‘Bring back pride in our city’

The party claims that littering, fly tipping and graffiti is worse than ever and that a decision to cancel a public toilet cleaning contract early has resulted in the closure of more than a dozen public toilets.

The Tories have committed to removing graffiti in the city, fixing lights, increasing litter collections, installing CCTV, re-opening all of the city’s public toilets and bringing back civic events, such as City in Bloom.

‘Save our environment and urban fringe’

The Conservative claim to be the only party standing against building developments on the city’s urban fringe, including Benfield Valley and Whitehawk Hill.

The party has said it will utilise brownfield sites first and introduce a “genuine” biodiversity policy.

‘Restore our city’s heritage’

The Tories said that the city’s heritage has been left to “decay” and that historical parks and gardens are in a “poor state”. The party also slammed a decision by Labour and Green councillors to introduce a “radical homeless policy which allows tents in public parks.”

The Conservatives have committed to restoring Brighton’s heritage, starting with Madeira Terraces, as well as putting an end to the policy allowing tents to set up in public parks.

‘Return residents’ access to council services’

The Conservatives have criticised the lack of face-to-face council services for residents post-pandemic and said they would “get the council back to work in-person and delivering for residents again”.

‘Revive local democracy’

The Tories claim that Labour and the Greens signed a “coalition-style agreement that took decision-making behind closed doors” and said councillors have wasted council time debating national and international issues.

The Conservatives have committed to making sure petitions from residents are heard and reducing “out-of-control council bureaucracy”.