With less than a month to go before council elections in Epsom and Ewell reporter Charlie Mole has been meeting the parties to hear why they think they deserve your vote.

This week he talks to Conservative candidates...

Conservative leader Sean Sullivan: “The Residents’ Associations have been in charge of our council for over 70 years. The Conservatives say it is time for a change and are confident of making gains off our RA opponents.

“Conservative councillors were at the forefront of opposition to the RAs most unpopular decisions such as increased charges for the disabled, closing the Cox Lane day centre for the elderly and closing the borough’s public toilets. These RA policies are simply outrageous when you consider RA councillors gave themselves a 14% pay increase, spent £55,000 a year on a glossy propaganda magazine and give the Mayor an expensive chauffeur driven car.”

He said Conservative councillors have made numerous positive impacts on the way the council works. It was a Conservative motion which forced the introduction of plastic and cardboard recycling which significantly increased the RAs appalling recycling rate. The Conservatives forced the council to arrange special collections for incontinence material which the RAs had initially refused to provide for.

First time candidate James Tarbit, 31, who is standing in Court Ward: “When I first moved here a few years ago, I was surprised by how out of touch the council was with its constituents.

“I want to bring my passion and enthusiasm for politics into the election and redress the age balance and make the council more representative.”

Five key Conservative pledges: Seek to continue the council tax freeze delivered this year by the government after decades of RA increases.

Protect services for the vulnerable by cutting waste and inefficiency and abolishing perks RA councillors gave themselves.

Have a fairer, more transparent, simpler planning process. Being on the side of local residents objecting to inappropriate planning applications.

Continuing support for Chris Grayling’s campaign to preserve services at Epsom Hospital.

Opposition to parking charges. The party have already secured protections for small businesses and a promise of a free half hour default position.

Next week we speak to the Liberal Democrats.