THE Tories have promised to freeze council tax bills in the county if David Cameron wins the General Election next year.

Speaking to The Oxford Times, Oxfordshire County Council leader Keith Mitchell said the newly-elected administration at County Hall planned to prioritise three areas over the next four years.

First, it pledged to oversee and encourage investment in infrastructure — such as the A34 and rail services — to enable the county’s economy to grow. But Mr Mitchell admitted the amount of money available would depend on how quickly the economy picked up nationally.

In addition, the administration would target “petty vandalism and fear of crime to build communities where people feel safe”, as well as keep the lion’s share of the council tax bill householders pay each year to a minimum until 2013. Mr Mitchell said: “In our 2005 election manifesto we undertook to reduce the council tax increase from 4.5 per cent to four per cent by 2009/10. In fact, we reduced the increase to 3.75 per cent by 2009/10.

“We are now working to get it down to 2.5 per cent for next year. If we succeed, David Cameron has pledged to provide enough grants to enable us to freeze council tax increases at that level for the following two years.”

Mr Mitchell has appointed eight councillors as cabinet members following his party’s election victory earlier this month.

Ian Hudspeth, formerly cabinet member for transport, is now cabinet member for growth and infrastructure.

He retains responsibility for high-level transport issues such as Transform Oxford but adds sustainable development issues to his portfolio — including waste disposal.

Mr Mitchell said: “We need an experienced pair of hands to manage and oversee key issues linked to the recession and I have no doubt councillor Hudspeth is the man for the job.”

Rodney Rose, the only new member of the council’s decision-making body, becomes cabinet member for transport implementation and will work closely with Mr Hudspeth.

Deputy leader David Robertson remains cabinet member with responsibility for West Oxfordshire, but takes on responsibility for the economy and tourism.

Judith Heathcoat, cabinet member for safer and stronger communities, continues to be responsible for the fire and rescue service, trading standards and emergency planning. However, she is now also responsible for museums, libraries, adult learning and the registration service.

Charles Shouler, Michael Waine, Louise Chapman and Jim Couchman make up the rest of the cabinet.

Labour leader Liz Brighouse has branded the Tories “totalitarian” for continuing to refuse to allow councillors from opposition groups to chair any of the county council’s scrutiny committees. She said: “These are the key committees which are supposed to hold the cabinet to account.”