Norfolk Tories pledge free museum entry for children in election manifesto |
The party, hoping to persuade voters in May's election to keep them in control at County Hall, are also pledging a £10m flood prevention fund.
The Tories have run the council since 2017, but are facing a major battle to keep it that way.
Pollsters predict they could lose almost all of their current 51 divisions, with Reform UK seizing control when voters go to the polls to pick 84 county councillors to represent them.
The Conservatives are trying to persuade the electorate this is "not the time to risk having amateurs at the wheel".
The May 7 elections are the last for the county council before it is abolished to make way for three new unitary authorities for Greater Norwich, East Norfolk and West Norfolk.
The Conservative manifesto, titled 'Our Plan for a Brighter Norfolk', includes pledges that children 14 and under will be able to visit all 10 of the county council's museums, such as Norwich Castle and Great Yarmouth's Time and Tide Museum, for free.
Norwich Castle Museum (Image: Emily-Rose Thompson)
The Tories also say they would put £20m into improving footpaths, maintaining C roads and fixing potholes, with "three new rapid response pothole squads".
They say they would maintain existing libraries and build two new ones, while spending £10m on coastal flood defences and inland flood prevention schemes "for those communities most at risk".
Norfolk County Council leader Kay Mason Billig (Image: Denise Bradley)
Kay Mason Billig, Conservative council leader who is standing again in her Loddon division, said: "Our manifesto offers Norfolk residents a bold and ambitious choice this May.
"It’s also a clear choice. We have an experienced team with a proven record of leading the county council, delivering good quality services and externally audited value for money, and sound management of taxpayer’s money.
"With local government reorganisation being forced upon us, shattering vital services into three mini unitary councils, this is not the time to risk having amateurs at the wheel.
"With a gross budget of over £2bn, looking after 6,000 miles of highways and caring for thousands of children and adults every single day, it is vital we remain focused on these local services.
"There will be a chance to vote on national issues, that’s the general election."