LABOUR is bidding to make Brighton and Hove the first city of the new millennium.

City status is part of the manifesto launched by the ruling group on the council.

Leader Lord Bassam launched the manifesto along with Local Government Minister Hilary Armstrong.

She said: "Brighton and Hove doesn't just set the lowest tax year after year.

"It also shows increasing investment in schools and caring services.

"It promotes green solutions to urban problems and has an exemplary record of attracting new investment to create jobs."

Labour hopes to consolidate its majority in Brighton and Hove but Lord Bassam warned: "This is no time for complacency.

"We are aiming for a high turnout."

He added that prestige projects like the new central library and the return of Brighton and Hove Albion would be priority projects.

The council boss said: "Across the country, the image of Brighton and Hove is a place buzzing with ideas, energy and enthusiasm.

"That's an image both of the place and the council. We intend to keep it that way."

Labour aims to improve street cleaning with new tough contracts and to recycle much more waste.

It wants to keep getting more people on the buses and have less dependence on cars.

The party intends to carry on attracting new investment after getting £100 million in the last three years.

It will improve school standards which are already rising, provide more nursery places and have lower class sizes.

The manifesto promises partnerships with the health service and voluntary organisations to provide better services for old people, youngsters in care and people with physical and mental health problems.

Lord Bassam added: "We will also target specific crimes like neighbour nuisance, domestic violence and racial harassment as part of a new partnership with the police to make our communities safer for everyone."

Labour also intends to attack poverty and provide better services for people who are deprived.

The council was runner-up as council of the year and Lord Bassam said: "We will continue our programme of modernisation and innovation."

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