TORIES on Selby District Council say they are already making a difference - only one month after wresting control from Labour.

After capturing 23 seats on the council, compared to Labour's 14, the Conservatives claimed they were making their mark.

Tory group leader Mark Crane said they were remaining faithful to their local elections manifesto, which promised a reduction in bureaucracy and more money for front-line services. He said: "We have reduced the number of staff on the council's "best value" team and other posts which served councillors rather than the public.

"The savings we have made are paying to keep refuse collection on a weekly basis, rather than a fortnightly service being advocated by Labour, and improved recycling facilities. We are also responding more quickly to complaints of fly tipping and litter."

Coun Crane said that council rent arrears were down £80,000, or 20 per cent, and they would continue to treat this problem as a priority.

In the planning department, they had introduced new ground rules for staff and were streamlining the system, which would improve performance significantly over the next few months. He said they had honoured their manifesto pledge of making £200,000 available to improve youth leisure facilities and were now consulting with youths to see how the money could best be spent.

They had also formed a new partnership with Selby College and, with a small contribution from the council, had secured external grants to substantially improve changing facilities at local football grounds. Coun Crane said the council's first newspaper would be distributed in late June, giving details of the council's work and local councillors, together with contact details.

He said: "I'm delighted to report that there has already been a step change in the council.

"We are responding to the needs of the community and have sharpened up the council's decision-making and capacity to act quickly.

"Most of all, I am pleased to tell the chargepayer that Selby is being run for the benefit of residents and not its 41 councillors."

Updated: 12:31 Monday, June 02, 2003