Council Tax frozen for a 4th time

I cannot begin to describe how proud I am that this administration has managed to achieve four zero increases -in its share of the Council Tax – in a row.  It was an unprecedented meeting for me and other Councillors in that there was a period when the Council could not agree a budget.  But one was eventually agreed and it included no increase for the Council Taxpayer in Hounslow.  A recorded vote took place the second time so all residents will be able to see how their Councillor voted.

All of the above has been managed at a time of massive reductions in graffiti, major new investments in leisure, parks & open space, the most major increase in the profile of planning enforcement of any Council, one of the biggest turnaround in complaints management of any Council and the list could go on.  There is lots more to do but if I had been offered this in 2006 when Labour were removed from being the administration, I would have taken it with both hands (and feet).

No longer is the London Borough of Hounslow London’s forgotten Borough.

Update: Here is the release from Cllrs Thompson & Andrews.

Current news on budget

Beyond what was previously posted regarding tonight, there is now an amendment from Cllrs John Connelly and Peter Hills.  Tonight’s meeting can be viewed on the Council’s webcast.

Council Tax being set tonight

Last week I attended an Executive Meeting of the Council.  Here was the agenda.  Item 5 was relevant to Feltham and I made the point about the massive importance of dealing with under-achievement, improving standards in schools and in increasing the profile of skills training.

Tonight is Borough Council and the big one for we are setting the Council Tax.  There are already two proposals.  I very much hope that we can continue with our successes in delivering no increase.  Here is the agenda.

Busy but brilliant week

The headline has to be the fact that we have frozen the Council Tax for the third time in a row.  This is one of the best stories in Local Government.  No longer is Hounslow, London’s forgotten Borough.  And, for the first time, no increase in the London Precept – Conservatives really do cost you less.

And, we are now a Four Star rated Council. 

Lots of protest at the Borough Council Meeting from those concerned about the proposal to withdraw the General Fund contribution to the Hounslow Language Service.  I had a little banter with one or two when walking in but on reflection I am not certain if they realised that?

Britain to follow London Borough of Hounslow!

I was not in the Hall during the announcement but George Osborne has said that there will be no Council Tax increases.  Obviously, I like this proposal because I know how well a freeze has gone down in Feltham and Heston during the previous couple of years.

I just want to know more about the following:

“Central government cannot force bills to be frozen – but any council which limits spending rises to 2.5% will get that amount from Whitehall, he said.”

I would hate for Councils that spend more to be compensated and the ones that have already taken the tough decisions in essence being penalised for being ahead of the game.

I will try and find out what this means for the London Borough of Hounslow!

Zero it is!

It is a good day to be in Hounslow knowing that we are one of few Boroughs not to have increased Council Tax.  I am proud!

Council Tax in Hounslow – a freeze again?

Here is the agenda for 4 March.

And, here is the report that will be presented by the Leader of the Council.  The best bit if the first bullet point in section 3.1.

I am hugely proud that this is being put forward again.  Residents in the Borough have put up with increases, sometimes very large, for too long.  Of course, in real terms, this freeze is a reduction.

Subject to Borough Council agreeing to the recommendation, I expect that this will be as popular with residents as it was last year.

No longer is Hounslow, London’s forgotten Borough.  Make no mistake, this is one of the biggest achievements in London Local Government (but I am biased)!