Minister told better services and lower council tax are possible
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
29/01/2009
A government minister visited Hammersmith & Fulham today (Wednesday, 28 January) to see how the local council is cutting council tax and improving public services.
John Healey MP, Minister for Local Government, is on the record as saying councils need to rein in council tax while providing quality front line services, and there is no better practical example of this than H&F Council.
Council tax bills are set to fall by 3 per cent for the third year running in the west London borough and residents’ satisfaction with council services has recently increased by 10 per cent to an all time high of 64 per cent.
At the same time as council tax bills are falling and residents’ satisfaction levels are rising, the government’s official watchdog - the Audit Commission - has awarded the council the maximum of four stars for the quality of its services.
Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh, H&F Council Leader, welcomed the Minister to the borough and explained why he believes it is up to councils like H&F to offer the best possible services at the lowest possible cost to the council taxpayer.
Councillor Greenhalgh said: "At a time of great financial uncertainty for many families we are once again taking the lead in Britain by cutting council tax for the third year in a row.
"I was delighted to show the minister how it is possible to reduce the tax burden and improve council services to help hard working families struggling to make ends meet, especially during this recession."
After three years of tax cuts, residents in H&F are expected to be, on average, £175 better off than residents living in other London boroughs - a massive boost when residents are struggling with the cost of living.
In an article in last week’s Municipal Journal Mr Healey is quoted as saying council’s face tough decisions to balance their books and, while this is true for many authorities, H&F Council believes there is plenty of scope for genuine efficiency savings that reduce red tape and bureaucracy and actually improve the quality of front line services.
