SLASHING waste, tearing up unwanted road humps, introducing more school buses and increasing parking facilities within the borough - these are all part of the Conservative Party battle plan to gain control of the borough council.

Next month's local election vote has all the hallmarks of being a tense, close affair as the Tories seek to wrestle control from the current Labour-Liberal Democrat partnership.

With 25 seats, the Conservatives are the largest single group on the council. However, together the other two main parties hold the balance of power. All that could change on June 10 when 22 seats will be up for grabs.

Yesterday was the deadline for candidates to get their nominations in - and this week the Conservatives have set out their stall.

Launching their local election manifesto, senior Tories revealed they may cut the size of the borough council's workforce if they seize control of the local authority.

The new manifesto says they will seek to slash waste, reduce spending and will stick to providing "essential services".

At a press briefing to launch the new campaign, Conservative group leader Cllr John Leek said: "I really believe there are areas where we can effect savings. Do we need all these people to provide services you may not actually need? We believe we must deliver the services residents really want."

Cllr Leek claimed that costs - especially employment costs - have escalated under the Labour-Liberal Democrat administration, but he added: "It's very difficult as the opposition party to obtain the detail. If we are in control we will have a much better chance of seeing where the money is going."

Cllr Leek and his colleague Cllr Phil Heath said that if their party gains control of the council, the Tories will tear up unwanted road-humps and reverse what they term the "anti-car" stance of the Liberal Democrats.

They also say they want to try out American-style "yellow buses" to deliver children to school and thereby cut down on rush-hour traffic snarl-ups.

On the thorny issue of planning, the councillors said the Conservatives will continue to oppose major development areas of housing, such as Manydown, and will instead see if houses can be built on land designated for business use.

On education, Cllr Leek said Conservatives will carry forward the current examination into the alleged poor performance of some Basingstoke secondary schools.

Despite looking for savings, the Tories say they will not set a cap on council funding for the performing arts in Basingstoke. They also say they want to improve facilities for young people in the borough.

The Conservatives, said Cllr Leek, believe voters' "principal concerns" include "the level of crime and anti-social behaviour, the litter and graffiti on our streets and roads, and the need for improved facilities for young and old."

In a significant departure from the current Government-led council policy, the manifesto indicates more parking would be provided throughout the borough under a Conservative administration.

To tackle anti-social behaviour, the manifesto says Conservatives back county council moves to appoint community support officers and continue to campaign for more police officers on the streets. They also want to see speedier removal of so-called travellers once they invade public areas.

Other proposals which feature in the manifesto are:

improvements in the recycling rates for waste

ensuring experienced youth workers are appointed to help deal with juvenile problems

rejection of regional government

support for rural housing where required and a reversal of the "neglect" of rural concerns

cutting spending on the use of consultants

ending the pink shuttle bus service.